A journalist from the Express attended the Argentina fan pre-World Cup semi-final party in Atlanta, known as a Banderazo, wearing an England shirt under a Maradona jersey. The event drew thousands of blue-and-white-shirted supporters to The Underground, an outdoor amphitheatre-style shopping complex. Despite pouring rain, the atmosphere was electric with drumming, singing, and flag-waving.
Warning from a Fan
As the journalist and his colleague joined the crowd, a man approached them with a Google Translate message on his phone: "Dangerous people from Argentina have just arrived and you need to leave." The fan spoke no English but improvised to warn them that England fans were not welcome.
The Banderazo is a traditional pregame party where Argentina fans drink beer, barbecue, and dance with flags. The venue was packed with fans waving Maradona and Messi flags, and some flags claimed the Falkland Islands—over which Britain and Argentina went to war in the 1980s—as Argentine territory. Songs included "He who doesn't jump is an Englishman."
Undercover in the Crowd
The journalists snuck into the crowd wearing a Three Lions jersey under a vintage Maradona shirt. Security was tight, with armed police patrolling and shouting at people to get down from walls. Once in the centre, the journalist removed the Maradona shirt to reveal the England shirt, drawing gasps from nearby fans. A woman wagged her finger and said "No, no." When he was lifted aloft with a replica World Cup trophy, a bearded man shouted "You can't do this," and two young lads flipped the middle finger.
Despite some hostility, much of the reaction was good-humoured. Many fans smiled and danced around them, though some swore and tried to grab the trophy. The crowd chanted "He who doesn't jump is an Englishman," and the journalist joined in the jumping. However, as rowdiness escalated, they were told to "f*** off" and warned to leave for their safety.
Exit and Reflection
The journalists dropped to the ground and moved under a large flag to catch their breath. The man with the Google Translate message then warned them about dangerous people arriving from Argentina. They decided to leave. The journalist described the experience as "fun, a bit feisty, but ultimately great banter" and said experiencing a Banderazo up close was special and unique as the sole England fan among passionate Argentina supporters.
