England and Argentina fans booed one another’s national anthems in an electric opening to their World Cup semi-final meeting. The Three Lions’ rendition of God Save the King was almost drowned out by Argentinian supporters singing and jeering ahead of the clash. Argentina’s national anthem was then largely lost under a chorus of boos from the England support.
Players Struggle to Be Heard
Players and coaching staff in Lionel Messi’s team were visibly trying to raise their voices above the din, but much of the anthem was not picked up by TV cameras. The atmosphere marked a stark contrast to earlier matches, where anthems had been largely respectful and without incident, according to BBC commentator Guy Mowbray. He described the spectacle as “something a little bit different.”
Co-commentator and former England striker Alan Shearer acknowledged the rivalry, stating that the two sets of fans “don’t like each other,” adding “that’s fine.”
Heightened Security and Fan Clashes
The build-up to the match saw several small clashes between England and Argentina fans in the US and elsewhere. The game had the highest level of security seen at the tournament so far, as officials feared fan trouble could erupt in the crowds. The winner of the semi-final will face Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday. Spain beat France 2-0 on Tuesday night to secure the first spot in the final.
