Hundreds of Argentina fans gathered in central Atlanta for a rally ahead of the crunch semi-final against England.
Accompanied by drums and loud Latino dance music the supporters gathered amid tight security in central Atlanta in an area known as the Underground.
Flags were draped over walls, hawkers sold fake Argentina shirts and bucket hats while tours set up impromptu BBQs for fans to tuck into.
It was the second time that Argentina hinchas (fans) had gathered at Underground Atlanta and the passionate atmosphere gives some idea of what Harry Kane and England will face.
One onlooker said: ’It was madness. There must have been at least 10,000 people there drinking and dancing and jumping up and down singing songs.
‘It got quite lively and the place was packed out and there were loads of flags with Diego Maradona’s face on them and some also had a picture of the Falkland Islands.
Argentina fans gathered in central Atlanta known as the Underground for a rally on Tuesday
Coming in their hundreds, they were accompanied by drums and loud Latino dance music
A picture of icon Diego Maradona was among the numerous flags held aloft on Tuesday
‘The woman next to me asked if I was going to the match and when I told her yes and that I was English she said, “better not to say that here, just to be careful”.
There was a large police presence with entry and exits strictly controlled and sniffer dogs searched people’s bags before they were allowed in. FIFA have also banned Argentinian flags featuring the Falklands from the stadium.
Even a torrential downpour midway through the afternoon failed to dampen spirits and the party was due to carry on until 2am.
Oscar from Mar del Plata, in south east Argentina, had arrived by van and detailed his road trip from Kansas City to Dallas to Miami to Atlanta back to Kansas City and finally returning to Atlanta for the semi-final.
He said: ‘This is a movement. This is part of us; we got people coming from Argentina, (they) fly, leave a family, leave everybody and save money for four years for this.’
The only flashpoint came when some Argentine fans from rival clubs San Lorenzo and Huracan clashed throwing punches and tables at each other.
Footage posted online showed both groups goading each other before fists and furniture flew although it petered out very quickly.
As detailed by Daily Mail Sport, Wednesday’s semi-final has been classified as the ‘highest risk’ match at the World Cup following a meeting of the FBI, officials and local police.
A wide-ranging series of security measures will be implemented in Atlanta, including separate gates for entry for the two sets of supporters – although there will be no segregation inside the stadium.
England fans travelling to Atlanta for Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final with Argentina will encounter strong security measures in place – with the fixture classified as the ‘highest risk’
Argentina sang a song about the Falkland Islands to taunt England after beating Switzerland
The FBI, FIFA and police met on Monday, where the historical divide between the two nations and concerns over potential issues between rival supporters was outlined.
While considerable efforts will be made to keep fans apart, there is an acceptance that there is little officials can do inside the stadium thanks to the lack of segregation at FIFA games. Special attention will be paid to concourse areas, where fans are expected to mix.
Videos have already circulated online of disturbances between Argentina and England fans on Saturday. In one, a Three Lions supporter is seen in the stadium trading punches with three men in Argentina shirts, while another clip appeared to show a group of Argentina-shirted followers confronting England fans in a bar.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has called for calm, despite the fact his players have continuously sang a song referencing the Falkland Islands during their progression throughout the tournament. In 1982, following Argentina’s invasion, 907 people lost their lives in a conflict that saw Britain reassert control over the South Atlantic islands. Argentina’s foreign minister this week restated their claim over the territory, which was swiftly rejected by Sir Keir Starmer.
How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE
