A vibrant gathering of around 100 Argentina football fans has taken over a tapas restaurant in Salford, Greater Manchester, as they eagerly watch their country face England in the World Cup semi-final. The group, known as Argentinos en Manchester, has organised a lively watch party, brimming with Argentine music, traditional football chants, and a palpable sense of excitement and tension.
Milton Avila, 50, the organiser behind Argentinos en Manchester, initiated these communal football events during the 2022 World Cup, a tournament famously won by Argentina. Avila, who established the group eight years ago for Argentines residing in the region, regularly hosts events across Greater Manchester. He confessed to feeling a surge of "nerves" ahead of the crucial England match, a sentiment he believes is shared by every fan present.
The highly anticipated semi-final clash is being held in Atlanta at 20:00 BST, with the victorious team set to compete against Spain in Sunday's final. Avila, a UK resident for 13 years, highlighted the joyous atmosphere that has characterised their previous watch parties throughout the tournament, particularly after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16.
Despite acknowledging the strength of the English side, Avila expressed confidence in Argentina's chances. He predicted a 2-1 victory for his team, with Lionel Messi expected to score. While acknowledging that "it's football and anything can happen," his overall sentiment remained optimistic, reflecting the hopeful mood of the supporters gathered in Salford.
The event underscores the global reach of the World Cup and the passionate support it inspires, even thousands of miles from the stadiums. For the Argentinos en Manchester, this gathering is more than just watching a game; it's a celebration of their heritage, a shared experience of national pride, and a communal hope for another World Cup triumph.