‘Argentina victory would complete Brazil\\\'s humiliation’
Saturday, 12 July 2014
If Brazil thought the country's World Cup wounds could not go any deeper, that the sense of national despair could not become more acute, the cheers echoing around the concourses of Arena de Sao Paulo sounded a warning that the worst may be yet to come.
As the rain finally ceased and Argentina won their World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands on penalties, the celebrations were in full swing with sights fully set on Sunday's meeting with Germany.
The South American side's fans repeatedly counted in increasingly deafening volume to seven - the number now synonymous with Brazil's humiliation after their worst ever defeat in that 7-1 loss to Germany in Belo Horizonte.
Hastily assembled banners repeating the insult were in evidence in Argentina's section of support in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. They do not intend to let their fiercest rivals forget that day in a hurry - and winning the World Cup at the Maracana would only serve as another painful reminder for the hosts.
There was no mistaking the added pleasure the prospect of their captain Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup in Brazil's own iconic arena would give Argentina. It would be a show of sporting strength on enemy territory that would sustain them for generations.
And for the Barcelona forward and Argentine talisman to lead his country to their first World Cup triumph since the 1986 win in Mexico's Aztec Stadium against West Germany would also be heavy with symbolism given the tribal rivalry with Brazil's own favoured son Neymar.
Miguel Angel Vicente, from Buenos Aires-based newspaper Diario Clarin, told BBC Sport: "Of course it is a special feeling to win the World Cup - but to come to a rival like Brazil and win in their country would be extra special.
"In Argentina, the fans have taken pleasure from the progress of the team. It is not a great team and we think Germany is the best team at the World Cup but this is one match - the dream lives on and to win the World Cup in Brazil would make the whole nation very proud."
He added: "Argentina's supporters will enjoy being in the World Cup final in Brazil when Brazil are not there."