The World Cup is a phenomenon which truly brings the world together through the “beautiful game.” Football fans and citizens of the world are allowed to come together for one month to cheer on their respective countries, watch the highest level of football on this planet, and drink, eat and sing with their own countrymen; and even with others.
In the grand scheme of things, football is simply a game where 22 guys kick a ball around for 90 minutes. However, it brings people and cultures together on an unprecedented level. It brings out the best in people as seen by the Japanese and Senegalese fans, who helped pick up trash in the stadium after their respective opening game matches, The Guardian reported.
Sadly, it sometimes brings out the worst.
During Croatia’s 3-0 victory over Argentina Thursday night, five Argentine fans “beat up” a defenseless Croatian fan in one of the stadium’s tunnels. One Argentina fan even kicked the Croatian in the head from the back as he was lying on the floor before help could come. Reports out of the stadium say that Russians quickly came on the seen to neutralize the matter.
I’ve been in contact with many non-Croatian friends this World Cup to compare notes and talk smack; you know…usual business. A good Brazilian friend of mine has been telling me for months that Argentina is garbage and that Croatia will have no problem beating them at the World Cup. I was skeptical about his optimism.
Every country has their bitter rivals. Croatia has Serbia. The Dutch have Germany. And of course, Argentina have Brazil.
So I expected this answer from him.
But after the 3-0 Croatia win over Argentina, in which I applauded his bold (and correct) prediction, I asked him, “WHY do you hate Argentina football so much?”
He replied with, “They (Argentina) are sore losers. They think they are better and above everyone else. And they never know how to lose.”
I thought this was normal talk coming from a Brazilian until I watched the Croatia-Argentina game once more. And then the video of the Argentina fans beating up the Croatian came out.
Argentina fans gang up on Croatian in Russia
I’ve had tons of respect for Argentina football since I was a kid. I know many Argentine people personally and have nothing but good things to say about them. But between their players yesterday and their fans, their stock (as a football nation) definitely took a hit in my book. It was a black eye on a storied football federation which has captured two World Cup titles. They will rebound, however, June 21st will be remembered as a new low for Argentine football.
Messi looked visibly frazzled during the Argentina national anthem and defender Nicolas Otamendi easily could have been booked with multiple cards against Croatia after the first goal went in. Even Messi showed rare frustration after an altercation with Ivan Strinić in the second half.
Messi stressed out during National Anthem
Croatia was clearly the better team on the field yesterday but Argentina was sadly classless; both off and on the pitch. It’s good to hear that the Croatian fan got up after the fight and no serious injuries were reported.
Remember guys, this game does bring us together, especially during the World Cup…but at the end of the day, it’s just a game. Boys will be boys and when drinks are flowing, especially at high pressure games like these, emotions will run high, words will be said and cups will be thrown. But to kick a defenseless human being in the head while he is laying on the ground is not okay.
Having class is not what you do, but how you do it.
Lionel Messi and company may very well get out of group stage with a win over Nigeria on Tuesday; needing some Croatian help. But I will always remember this World Cup as Argentina (and their fans) becoming “mopey” and giving up on each other in front of the whole world.
Winning is nothing without class. So be cool. Be classy. And enjoy yourself during the World Cup.
It’s just a game.
https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/22/argentina-fans-act-like-sore-losers-team-thrashed-croatia-world-cup-7650861/
Poor fan from arg crying like a baby says he spent a fortune to be at wc,says teams an embarrassment as well managers,I love it.
Kick a guy in the head while is beaten? Mestizo pushiest!
Be ashamed stipe..albanians fought together in the homeland war..all the other pos turned on us,read history before saying bs. The Albanian flag was held and flown in the 20th anniversary of Operation Storm also known as Victory Day of Croatia, to acknowledge the support of Albanians in the Croatian War for Independence. Croatia reaffirmed Albania of its close alliance through this action.
Fuck Kosovo. There dirty Muslims
And in speaking to your comments Ante…
Here’s video of Brazilians celebrating Croatia beating Argentina so badly…and some Argentinian girl fighting with a Brazilian guy lol
https://youtu.be/IKDjEVPQFws
@ Poglavnik ok brate Hope I spelled that right cheers!
Looking at the brackets, at this point in fime, the best educated guess for Croatia to reach the finals would be to knock off Denmark, Spain and Mexico.
Who would have thought Croatia would have what is basically a friendly against Iceland to prepare them for their next game against probably Denmark, who play a similiar Scandanvian style – where we will be favorites to reach the quarter-finals.
@Josko
Don’t you neglect Baruni!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucG1msQaldE
@BZ
“Mexico got a tiny fine for their homophobic chants. If it were us we would be docked points, and playing in front of crickets.”
The chant was prostitutephobic.
Manuel Neuer is married to a woman, he is not a homosexual, Mexicans shouldn’t be fined anything for a homophobic chant but rather for slander because Neuer is not a male prostitute, and the chant is directed at him isn’t it?
On the bashing, the Argentine fans were homophobic.
I have never ever been so jacked up for a tournament like I’am now listening to Oliver all day long. What a feeling!
First off, never walk alone.
Second, if that guy in the red and white shirt was his bud, then he is nula and should be ashamed for doing nothing
@Soul Champ
Time for Kovacic to work on his Icelandic slalom.
We’ve seen it before!
lineup for iceland should be
perisic kramaric pjaca
Kovacic
badelj bradaric
pivaric duje corluka jedvaj
I would say give Kalinic some minutes, but Subasic needs all the time he can get. He hasn’t had any true tests.
Looks like 5 against one was the only way these glorified beaners could win anything against us that day.
This is what they do and who they are. Don’t ever be fooled by any spic “warmth” and “friendliness” when everything is fine or nothing has happened yet…as soon as it goes wrong for them, these two faced rats will turn on you like a swarm.
It’s really too bad that there wasn’t just a couple of Croatian fans walking by as it would have been one of these instant karma videos instead.
https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatia-coach-announces-changes-for-iceland-clash/
Man would have liked to see Halilovic get a run out against Iceland.
Kovačić has to see this as his coming out party.
He needs to start for club and country going forward.
Iceland is his match to shine.
Pjaca number needs to be called as well.
Curious to see if Jedvaj can put in a shift at RB?
Really happy for the people of Kosovo. My best friend lives in Pristina.
That is the simple symbol of the Albanian two headed bird on their flag.
This Byzantine duplicity knows no end.
Serbs kill hundred of thousands during 90’s and if we sing how we are ready to protect our home you are fined?
Big time goal for Kosovo and Shaqiri.
Thug Serbs tried to “dominate” got out maneuvered and lose.. rinse and repeat.
Also done in Mother Russia’s tournament.
Video displays our weak there country is.
Sampaoli that clueless prick, also ran like a bitch at the final whistle. One of the commentators on foxsports’ postgame show (i believe the blonde english woman) called him out immediately saying when you dont have the decency to walk across and shake the hand of the man that just beat you, that mentality trickles down to your players.
I’ll admit, Ive never even heard of Zlatko Dalic until after the Finland debacle, but the man has acted with nothing but pure class, calmness, and has his thumb on the pulse of this team right now. Since taking over, has a record of 4W-1D-0L, with 11 goals for and 1 against in competitive matches. Yes, we struggled in friendlies, but the opponents were not San Marino and Liechtenstein, and hes the first coach that had the balls to correctly experiment in the friendlies.
Guys, most South American countries play dirty soccer, they always have. We should be so proud of our team ,how they played and the class they exude, Modric and Rakitic , are great sportsman, fuck those putos
Send the arg thugs pos to the gulag.Another note 1 of the swiss kosovars might be fined for a hand symbol.serb fans were boing him every time he touched the ball..still I love the serbo loss..beautiful.
russian police caught 4 of these monkeys
@ Ante K
What your Brazilian friend said about the Argentines is absolutely correct, they are sore losers and arrogant.
Argentine fans began to spit on their own players as they walked through the tunnel to the locker room after the match.
Argentine players began to play real dirty when they started losing badly. It was so classless. They didn’t even shake hands with any of the Croatian players, instead they immediately left pitch.
From a footballing perspective their stock has taken a dive.
We should go at these spics in the street there!
Otamendi still first on my list who needs to come see me
Pieces of shit!
Mexico got a tiny fine for their homophobic chants. If it were us we would be docked points, and playing in front of crickets.
Our fan literally falls victim to a Nazi like attack, and I am sure we will get more fines for some saboteur’s antics.