Argentina cheats death Rivals left holding empty casket after stunning comeback

The casket was already wrapped in Argentina colours, the mourners were dressed in black, and, according to France supporter Ross Smith, the grave had already been dug.

But by the time Lionel Messi and Argentina were finished, the mock funeral in Arnett Gardens called off. Residents had started marching with a cardboard casket wrapped in the Argentina flag shortly after Egypt scored their second goal in yesterday’s World Cup last-16 clash. It was a similar scene on Sunday as Argentina’s fierce rivals Brazil were also ‘laid to rest’ after losing to Norway. With Egypt leading 2-0, the defending champions looked dead and buried, and some Brazil and France supporters were ready to send Messi and his team home.

“There is a spot for them there. We dig the grave already and build the casket,” Smith told THE STAR. Smith said he had no interest in seeing another Argentina-France showdown.

“A France a my team, and the last World Cup it was France and Argentina that went to the final,” he said. “This year is France final, definitely. Say no more.”

The scene in Arnett Gardens was pure football theatre. Some residents dressed in funeral-style clothing, including black jackets and suits, while others laughed and shouted as the casket made its way through the area. One Brazil supporter who helped carry the casket was convinced that another football giant had to fall.

“Go home!” she shouted. “Dem too hype. Think Messi a balla.”

For a while, the funeral march had all the energy of a victory parade. The group planned to march along Collie Smith Drive, with Argentina’s ‘burial’ being treated as both joke and justice by rival supporters.

But then Argentina scored, and the energy shifted. And when Argentina tied the match at 2-2, the mock funeral suddenly lost its rhythm. The casket was placed on the ground in a corner, the march paused, and sections of the sports bar that had been packed moments earlier began to empty.

With disappointment written across her face, the Brazil supporter was crestfallen.

“Dem fi go home. Look how dem drag we go over deh Sunday,” she said, referring to her team’s mock farewell. Smith, however, was not ready to surrender his prediction. He insisted that even if Argentina survived Egypt, their burial was only delayed.

“Them burial spot deh down deh same way, because them eventually ago lose. Nothing cya change,” he said. “Egypt a good side, but Argentina done today.”

But Argentina were not done. The defending champions completed a dramatic 3-2 comeback, leaving rival fans holding an empty casket.

Across the Corporate Area, Argentina supporters had been living every second of the drama. One ‘pallbearer’ paused his work to celebrate the team, his bicycle decorated with more than 10 Argentina flags.

“I am an Argentine, but the black one,” he said. “From Maradona days back deh so, from we a go school, a Argentina we seh.” Even though he was on the job, he said the match had his full attention. He opined that Messi needed more support up front, but had faith in the Argentine captain.

“If is even Messi alone ago carry we through, so be it,” he said. For him, the rivalry with France remains one of the biggest storylines of the tournament.

“I know France supporters have a vengeance for we. It was we and them, then we kicked them out. They would want to see we in the finals and we woulda want see them too,” he said. “Is not Argentina versus France. Is Messi versus Mbappé.”

At another spot, Argentina supporter Odame Duffus laughed at the Brazil fans who were taking pleasure in Argentina’s struggles.

“Brazil dead and gone, and them still a take set pan we,” he said. “But guess wah? A one Lionel Messi.”

When the match ended, Shan, another Argentina supporter, ran through the area with pot covers in hand and blue in her hair.