Thousands of Argentina supporters have descended on Kansas City ahead of their opening World Cup match against Algeria, turning the city into a sea of blue and white. The Mirror spent a night with the passionate fans as they invaded the US ahead of the game.
A Bouncing Bomb of Blue and White
Mill Creek Park was transformed into a little corner of Buenos Aires, filled with flags, posters, and chants. Fans sang lyrics like: "The fans of Argentina are crazy, they go here, they go there, you find them everywhere." The atmosphere was electric, with the old favourite 'Ar-gen-tin-a' echoing through the streets.
Journeys from Far and Wide
Many fans had flown 5,577 miles from Argentina, while others came from US cities. Juan Zolochowski, known as 'Juan in the Van', drove 1,701 miles from Miami in a recreational vehicle. He took 45 days off work to follow his team, travelling with friends and family. The RV, festooned with Argentine flags, will take them to Dallas for upcoming matches against Austria and Jordan.
Match Tickets and Merchandise
None of Juan's group have tickets due to high prices, but they are determined to support their team. Local shops reported strong sales of Messi shirts at $130, while a street vendor offered them for $50. Tributes to football legends like Maradona and Messi were everywhere.
The party shows no signs of stopping as the Argentina team continues its World Cup journey.
