England v Argentina: South American reaction

[Guest]

Brilliant performance by the lads. Made front page news in El Comercio, Peru's top daily. A picture of Orega flying through the air, following Cole's challenge and the words "With a more solid game, England beat Argentina 1-0 in a new version of a World Cup classic. The game was intense and the result means the Gauchos have to win their next game to guarantee qualification."

 

In Peru, Argentines are called Gauchos, which was a name once given to the men who rode the plains of Argentina, earning their living on cattle farms. Once given, because when times fell hard, many Gauchos then turned to robbing and stealing . Maybe that's why they are, in parts, still called Gauchos.

 

Back to the football, and the sports section of El Comercio had 4 pages devoted to the game. With a sketch of Beckham as a pirate, the main article was taken from Argentina's leading daily "La Nación" with the heading "Una Espina Calavada" - "A Nailed Thorn".

 

The Argentine writer seemed a tad upset.

 

"Verón - he in particular represented all that is bad in general about Argentina in 45 forgettable first half minutes: daydreaming, lack of precision, numbness.

 

And what is more painful. The leadership which must be theirs, remained with others, with those they faced - in Owen, who seemed ready not to lose more tears because of the Argentines and in Beckham, who seemed aimed to satisfy his wish of revenge in this World Cup.

 

This was not a moment to doubt, but Bielsa made the change that did not seem possible - out, Vernón - in, Aimar. Would this be enough to escape the nightmare. No, no it was not enough. The lack of precision remained. While the English began to believe, without too much confidence, betting all to the name of Owen and the support of the rest, that the dream of vengence is possible. But Bielsa continued to work, changing the team - in, Crespo - out, Batistuta: in the 'Pioja' - out, Gonsaléz. It was only a question of names.

 

But there was almost no time to make a response. 30 minutes of play. But no, this is not a question of names. If England had the luxury to take off Owen for a defender, then they had started to feel the game was theirs. With caution, but theirs. And for Argentina, the most eagerly awaited game, already there is pain in the soul, a nailed thorn in the heart. And nothing, no nothing can take that away".

 

In Buenos Aires, as the game ended, a grimace of disgust could be seen on the face of the President Eduardo Duhalde as he finished a live TV interview at his home, where he was accompanied by 50 guests, including members of the Argentine football association, all ready, no doubt, to celebrate another victory.

 

The game took place early morning, Argentine time, and afterwards, nearly all the country was paralysed: very few students went to colleges, very few public workers went to their offices and very few factory workers went in too (although most of the factories are closed anyway, because of recession).

 

Another writer added solemnly "In a country where there are no reasons to celebrate almost anything´- with the worst levels of unemployment, production and poverty in a century, the Argentines hoped at least to launch into the streets to sing out in victory. But the triumphant penalty by Beckham has extinguished any joy in their souls".

 

Unlike the scenes I bet throughout London, Gravesend and the rest of the UK. What a way to end Golden Jubilee week.

 

Until next time then, take care all Fleet fans and come on England.