OPINION:
For the crowd of young people clustered around the bar at the William Morris pub near London’s Hammersmith station, the outcome of the World Cup — with Spain beating Argentina at New Jersey Meadowlands’ MetLife Stadium — was sweet revenge.
“That should shut them up,” a university student named William told me as the match following 30 minutes of “extra time” tacked on after the 90 minutes of regulation play concluded with no goal.
Argentine players turned their backs on the Spanish before slouching forward to receive their silver medals from President Trump for having placed second in the tournament.
There was, however, no sign of the emotions that surrounded the British victory in the Falklands War more than 40 years ago. The pent-up nationalist bitterness that exploded after the victory of Argentina over England in the World Cup semifinals was, for the moment, put aside.
“Argentina got what it deserved,” said another voice at the bar, this time that of a young woman named Emily. Asked what she thought of the Spanish victory, she said, “I’m very happy for Spain.”
The outcome evoked memories of the prediction of a noted British war correspondent, John Simpson, before the match with England. “If Argentina wins,” he had written, “it’ll put real fire behind the demand for the Falklands,” but if England wins, that should put the lid on it — for now.”
Would the Spanish victory have a similar impact? Argentina’s vice president, Victoria Villarruel, has blasted the British as “usurping pirates.”
At the door of the William Morris pub, spectators who had seen the Spain-Argentina match on TV screens inside decried the rough play of the Argentine players. Rarely have World Cup matches devolved so quickly into claims and counterclaims reflecting historical animosities.
International competition is intended to infuse sportsmanship and goodwill between otherwise unfriendly countries. World Cup matches have exposed the depth of hostility over an obscure island chain whose people want nothing to do with a distant power that would only bully and exploit them.
DONALD KIRK
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