MY AFFECTIONATE LETTER TO ARGENTINA…

Sorry here certain Argentines but a majority of mainstream Blighty could not give one of those flying things today for ‘las malvinas son Argentinos.’

Have all the bad wine you can stomach boys and girls. Don’t though let it drown out what is yet another moment in the World Cup’s finest and fiercest rivalry. This one a very first Semi Final between two of world football’s founding fathers.

Don’t believe me, then please go visit the UK, feel the pulse of a nation. England that is. Your rare top quality side of Argentine beef appears solely for England. Odd that.

A war which was started by the last Argentine Dictator. To in large part to solely distract Argentinians to an escalating economic crisis unfolding all around. Went by the moniker of General Galtieri. Whatever happened to him? Mercifully it put an end to one of the most brutal, fascist led dictatorships in modern history. In effect maybe you should be thanking the Brits, I mean the English.

Some General him. Leading his troops into battle from the front. Front of his stately like Presidential Palace patrolled by heavily armed soldiers. Ones with better armoury, then those poor souls; the conscripts Galtieri sent into war so ill equipped they had to provide their own cargo pants. Think armed with a tooth brush, tooth paste not included.

That people and economy destroying dictatorships, ludicrously tagged the “National Reorganisation Process” was already in place for #Argentina1978

The very moment an extraordinary football nation first properly came into my orbit. Even though my original Argentine memory was back in 1968. When Eustudiantes were South American Champions and in the Intercontinental Cup versus Manchester United, the EURO Campiones the student boys only seemed interested in kicking 10 bells out of George Best.

Bestie of course the chap Pelé reckons the very best ever. Sorry there Maradona, Little Leo too.

Back to #Argentina78 that locked on Latin way and passion struck a nerve, and a chord in me. Unforgettable moments, memories forever. It also, due to the time difference, and games in the middle of the night, put a rather large dent into my High School Graduation exam studies. Oh Well.

Something larger and brighter in life though was staring at me right in the face. Even though we only had a black and white TV, thankfully I was able to go over to a neighbour who had a colour TV on the odd occasion.

Knew right then I needed to experience Argentine football in all its pomp and glory somehow, someday. Still waiting nearly half a century later. Any offers…

Nor are the English fixated on #Mexico86 Yes there was immediate alarm, despondency, fiery anger and all those volatile ingredients. Over the years, it’s gone from those seething emotions, through begrudging acceptance. Now in large part huge admiration for and to D10S.

A few England players still haven’t got over it including goalkeeper a now 80-year old Peter Shilton. Plus the likes of Peter Reid who appears prominently in DAM’s “Goal of the Century.”

Diego Armando’s immaculate descriptive of Argentina’s opener was, and still is a thing of perfect poetry. “Our opening goal, scored by the head of Maradona, the Hand of God” Genius. Diego Maradona channelling his very best William Shakespeare, Lennon and McCartney rolled into one.

That irony was not lost on me, and so very many others. Seems like Argentina didn’t get the memo. More irony in the fact England’s Terry Fenwick should have been sent off before the goal with a very deep red card [if they exist, probably a box in Johnny’s desk draw. Marked ABA].

Commentary of Maradona’s second, is one of the finest ever. On the podium to me, “For All-Time World Cup Final’s Goal Calls”. Radio or TV.

Take it away, Uruguayan commentator Victor Hugo Morales… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wVho3I0NtU

Now before we go any further, think on this everyone, no matter the walk of life who doesn’t push the envelope? Who doesn’t seek ‘unofficial work rewards’…

#Mexico86 might be the nerve centre, the nuclear moment of the Argentinos & Inglaterra football rivalry, but ironically it goes all the way back to, you guessed it #England66

More specifically to the Quarter Final match between the two nations at Wembley; the red card for Boca Junior and Argentine captain and midfielder Antonio Rattin. Who shortly after been booked, was then sent off for an off the ball incident.

This was the very moment the IFAB [International Football Association Board], soccer’s rules body began debate on the introduction of Yellow and Red Cards.

Ex-Argentine captain, Rattin died the very day both these proud nations confirmed their semifinal spots, July 11th.

Back to World Cup red cards, how about Beckham’s after Diego Simione’s pantomime like performance induced a naïve Beckham to ‘fall for it.’ In Saint-Étienne during their Round of 16 match at #France98 certainly went a long way to contributing to the English defeat on penalties. Those the circumstances. Deal with it. Beckham’s horrific treatment in the immediate aftermath, like nothing else. Especially so in Beck’s city, olde London town.

A Beckham effigy hanging from a River Thames the image of that moment. Such were the immediate concerns for Beckham he flew out immediately to New York City of all places. Into the arms of Posh, as the Spice Girls were just about to kick off an Arena North American tour at MSG. Next stop? You guessed it Montreal.

18-years young, Michael Owen’s wondergoal plus a fabulous late disallowed goal from Sol Campbell are largely forgotten because of Beckham’s petulance. Argentina’s behaviour on their team bus afterwards right in front of the downtrodden English is not.

Maybe the spur for the group stage encounter at #JapanSouthKorea2002 which wouldn’t you just know was settled by a Beckham penalty. A controversial one at that.

Off on the beers did England’s players and supporters alike go, for a match that was played in Sapporo. Who makes these Argentina and England things up?

The controversial, now tagged conspiracy theorist these days, pendulum swings both ways we see…

Geneva 2005’s so tagged friendly between football’s fiercest ever cross continent rivalry is something to behold. An extraordinary 90 plus minutes of football where Argentina was leading so very late on, their players were in the midst of practising in their minds the traditional Argentine celebratory post match dance.

When wouldn’t you just know a very certain now 21-year old Michael Owen popped up with a very late brace. With the winner so late it was almost scored the day after the match kicked off late Geneva time on a Saturday night.

Argentina do hold the X-Factor in manager, Lionel Scaloni. The quiet unassuming - ‘a still waters run deepest’ type.

His playing career spanned two decades, mainly spent in Serie A and La Liga. Including a spell at Majorca, where he now lives. Which makes much sense, as it allows him to be close to his Albiceleste players.

Key with the Semi Final in mind, Scaloni had a short 6-month spell in the Premier League, with West Ham. Of all clubs. Spent 6 months there on loan in 2006, played in that season’s FA Cup Final at Wembley. Quite a memory, one which likely he’ll be thinking on the way to Stade Atlanta. Scaloni also holds Italian Citizenship.

He was appointed as the interim head coach of Argentina back in November 2018, had previously been an assistant. Which led to such criticism across a stunned nation that Diego Maradona said ‘he couldn’t even direct traffic.

Scaloni’s first major tournament was the Argentine infamous 2019 Copa América. Where in the semifinal vs Brasil, Messi launched his penalty into space. Argies lost, Little Leo went into international retirement. Interim Version. Unfortunately for England today.

Yesterday at the pre-match presser Scaloni was as football prepared as he is, Falklands prepared.

“It’s a football match; I can’t mix things up, out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” as quoted in the UK media.

“It was a very sad time in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it. Mixing the two would be madness”.

Amen to that Mr. Scaloni. What a gent, under that spotlight and heat. These are the moments which define.

Of course the Argentine Vice President, Victoria Villarruel couldn’t help herself by stoking those fall back ‘Falklands fires’. Referring to the English in a social media post as ‘Usurping Pirates’

How about the Scottish and Welsh madame Villarruel? Must be a controversy nearby to her.

Brits don’t bare, nor carry grudges. Life is way, way too short. Win, they enjoy the immediate celebrations, a bit of glory, a bit of ‘How’s your Father’ and a dose of sweet admiration. Why not?

Lose they get back up, dust themselves off and head down the pub. Consoling themselves over a few pints. Go to bed, wake up and immediately go again.

Not just in a football setting, but in every setting. Get up… move along… get going again.

Please stop then stoking those imaginary fake fires. Lighten up. Please. Stop giving it the biggun. Morning noon and night. Must be exhausting having to puff out your chests first thing in the morning and still be doing it 12-14 odd hours later.

Do it in the shower too… asking for a friend, Dan “Coal Mine” Burn. Las Malvinas that, Las Malvinas this. Blah, blah ‘Barrow Boys’ everywhere.

Even in the Albiceleste dressing room. Led by Enzo ‘Always Keeping it Real’ Fernandez. Stope faking it Spice Boy Enz. You played for the establishment. River Plate. And oh yeh… what was that racist thing you slung and sung after the 2 4 Copa América Final? Please do remind us…

Then of course my favourite Argentine sub species the hard as nails barra bravos boys recounting their victorious battles with the highly outnumbered English at the Azteca in ‘86. Those ones so proud of their nation, they had it on their toes. When it really mattered.

Here of course all the English football nutters are on banning orders during England matches. Where many have had to surrender all their passports, and travel documents through the duration of a tournament. A EURO, World Cup or other. Also applies with their club team affiliation. Vast majority having to report to a local Police Station matchday.

Then there’s the Argentine players who give it the large one. Paul Scholes would know. He had some Argies as team-mates. Including Carlos ‘Psycho Looking’ ‘Tevez, and Juan “Never Undone” Veron.

“They’re great lads, but they always wanted to come over as hard as nails,’ ‘They all play up to that, play to the crowd.”

Translation, All Mouth, No Trousers.

Scholes of course was your typical bulldog. Small, but packed a proper bite. Typical blue-collar mentality. Still packs a bite, 24-years on from the last time the two teams met In the World Cup, a match Scholes played a pivotal part in.

Maybe Wednesday’s Semi Final could be that very same moment for England, as Mexico1986 undoubtedly and rightfully is, for one of planet futbol’s elite very best.

Speaking of war. Which you Argentina seem completely fixated on. England just moves from one to the next with no loss of enthusiasm it seems for over 250 years, win or lose.

As you know America has just celebrated it’s 250th Anniversary of Independence from those pesky, rotting teeth, filthy scoundrel Brits. With that weirdo accent for a language they invented and quite a few on the planet have as their Mother Tongue.

Sort of similar to inventing the beautiful game, probably the greatest thing Brits took to Argentina long, long time before Little Leo got a football from Santa as his 1st ever Christmas present.

Maybe one day show some thanks, respect. Without it none of you would be like a demented person pointing to 3 stars on your shirts. Sticking up three fingers more often than Sir Winston did with just the two. To you know who, circa 1939-45.

Maybe that’s your real top quality, Argentine x England Beef?

Whilst England are but two wins away possibly from being crowned World Champs not 200 miles from the site of the Boston Tea Party. You can’t make stuff like this up. You simply can not.

Argentine Derangement Syndrome Full Be Me 

Exhibit #1

Don’t think I have some sort of Argentine Derangement Syndrome neither. Throughout my entire adult life, I’ve had all types of glorious Argentines walk in and walk out of my doors. A few wrong’uns. Me a little better for it all undoubtedly.

Oe of the finest was Diego. Old team mates now. A proper fabulous footballer, you could see he felt the game in his eyes, his soul. And a proper gentleman. 

So annoyingly polite, shining smile etched right across his boat race permanently. No matter the circumstance. We connected immediately, had something so very valuable in common.

See Diego came here to Montreal with his wife, two kids. He looked after the kids like the most devoted Dad ever. I seemed to bump into him and them endlessly. Then he alone legging it down the shops. He shopped like he played football. All heart and soul. Get home make dinner. 

Diego’s wife was busy all the time saving lives. 

Why they came to Canadian shores in the first place. Last summer Diego and family departed for Germany. Another massive loss to the Quebec Health Care System

Diego was the very first dude I reached out to after Little Leo got suited and booted in that humongous robe, circa #Qatar22 With 3 Stars all over the darn place.

ADS Part Deux

Here’s to a most fabulous football match, one where the referee lets the players do what everyone in the stadium has paid bundles of Johhny Dollars for. Or is it Swiss Francs?

Let alone a global audience like nothing before. One which may well command when all is said and done a bigger audience than Sunday’s Final. Super Duper Bowl Half-Time show included.

Don’t know the ref’s name now, let’s hope for no legging it Usain Bolt like with arms flailing to any off the ball incidents which may occur. Hopefully no one anywhere on planet futbol, will still know his or her name come the outcome. Please God

Oh I forgot Happy 71st Birthday today, Mario ‘Albi Lege’ Kempes, scored a brace in the ’78 Final. As he led Argentina, who like England, won their 1st World Cup on home soil.

Kempes’ mop of hair in ’78 makes Marc Cucurella appear England Legend Bobby Charlton like bald.

To me; the team which maintains the very best composure throughout will make it to New York New York.

Interspersed with firework football, and moments. An early goal will add further spice.

Defences will be key as both leak goals like a baby does a nappy.

Diaper Baby. Hey Johnny. Love Donnie

Cheers

@NoelPButler

info@orangesathalftime.net