Morning of football in Buenos Aires

The morning started very early in the Capital of Argentina. Great anxiety everywhere, for millions were expecting the most important game for the national football team: Argentina was about to play with England.

City balconies were covered by blue and white flags (the national colours) and many people left their homes very early not to miss any single minute of such expected football match. Many clerks got together in their offices to watch on TV what they expected as the new victory of Argentina.

By 8.30 am, when the game started in Buenos Aires, city streets looked desert. Usually there are plenty of people rushing for their jobs, but now the streets were quite and peaceful like on Sunday morning. Bars and cafes were overcrowded of clients having breakfast and waiting for the match in white and light blue T-shirts, hats and flags. Some others, without any money to pay for a coffee in a bar, stayed outside in the cold, gazing at television screens.

“We will beat them again”, one shouted. “These Gringos do not dare to play hard against us”, replied another. However, by the time the ball started rolling, the silence started to gain the spirits. Argentina was not playing well. Even worse, England opened the score with a penalty and deception reached the hearts of hundreds of people congregated all over the city.

In the second half, Argentina played better, but could not score. The disaster: England won. Long faced and disappointed fans walked down the streets to their jobs almost in silence. A long day was waiting for them at work; it was just 10.30 in the morning.

The whole country was waiting for this game to stand the chance to celebrate something after a long period of disappointments. The one of today can be added to a long list in the last years. However, football gives other opportunities at least.

Hernan Etchaleco PRAVDA. RU Argentina