Search icon

Sport

20th Jun 2016

Argentina U20s jump the passion shark during national anthem

Jesus lads, take it easy

Ben Kiely

There’s a fine line between a patriot and a psychopath.

The Argentina U20s trod that line very carefully prior to their World Cup semi-final clash against Ireland at the Manchester City Academy Stadium on Monday. It was clear before the match even kicked off that the South Americans were very pumped up for this one.

When it came time for the obligatory pre-match anthems, some of the Argentine youngsters looked like they were on the cusp of screaming themselves unconscious at several times during their rendition of Himno Nacional Argentino.

Neck veins bulged, eyes almost popped out of their sockets, muscles clenched and presumably, the ears of everyone within a five-mile radius were left deafened as the Pumitas roared their national anthem.

It’s enough to make Gianluigi Buffon look like he was mumbling the Italian national anthem before their Euro 2016 opener against Belgium the other night.