The Falkland Islands will come to a complete standstill tonight as locals pack into pubs to roar England on against Argentina in their World Cup semi-final.
The fixture carries a unique edge on the remote British territory, which Argentina still claims as its own more than four decades after the 1982 Falklands War.
But across the tiny island, its boozers have been packed to the rafters throughout the tournament, and tonight’s clash with the old foe is expected to be the biggest night yet.
The mood in the capital, Stanley, is upbeat, with England shirts everywhere and supporters expected to cram into the Rose pub long before kick-off.
Leading the charge is Mark McManus, a West Ham fan from West Sussex who has called the Falklands home for nearly a year and even turned out at centre back for the islands’ football team.
He told the Mirror: “Everyone’s really keen and buzzing for it. The pubs have been packed. We haven’t missed a game. Even if we’ve had to take an afternoon or whatever off, we’ve just sorted it out with work. The bosses have been brilliant.
“We’re in the pub an hour or two before kick off to get seats and then watch the game together. We’ve watched all of the games in the Rose.
“I mean, it’s a small pub compared to what you get back home, but you can’t move in there. Like on Saturday when we played, you just couldn’t move.”
The roar if England scores will almost be heard across the South Atlantic on the Argentine coast, such is the passion for the team. Mark added: “Obviously, there’s history here and I’m not one of the locals, but everyone supports England and really wants them to win. I’m confident. I think a lot of us are quietly confident about the game.”
Fans went to extraordinary lengths to make sure they looked the part. He said: “Before the tournament, there was like a military operation for everyone to get a shirt.
“We all got them sent down, and a couple of the guys were on holiday in the UK before the tournament, so they grabbed what they could. Everyone’s got England shirts.”
He believes the support in Stanley matches anything back home. Mark said: “At first I was a bit gutted about not being in the UK for the tournament, but since being here, I don’t feel like I’m away from home, especially when you go and watch an England game. You feel like you’re right in the heart of England. Everyone here is just so friendly.”
And his prediction? He said: “I think the game will be tight, but it’ll be, I’m going to say 3-2 England, with Kane or Bellingham scoring the winner. He should play Saka on the right, though.”
