Scotland fans cheer Argentina in Cup semi loss England

In a display of long-standing sporting rivalry, many Scotland fans in Glasgow enthusiastically supported Argentina as it defeated England in a World Cup semifinal on July 15. With Scotland eliminated from the tournament, members of the Tartan Army packed pubs to watch the tense match, often wearing Argentina's colors alongside their own national shirts.

The atmosphere at venues like the Walkabout sports bar was rapt as Argentina secured its victory. Fans expressed a clear preference for seeing England lose, a sentiment rooted in the historic football rivalry between the neighboring nations. Shannon McNulty, a 24-year-old from Clydebank, called the win "absolutely brilliant," explaining her support for Argentina by simply stating, "we're Scottish." Another fan, 19-year-old Seonaith MacDonald from Glasgow, wore an Argentina strip and noted the game's physical nature at halftime, describing it as a lot of battle and grit, with considerable history behind the clash.

This sentiment was widespread in Scotland ahead of the match. In Edinburgh on July 14, most locals approached said they were hoping for England's failure. David Grand, 70, said he would support Argentina with his wife,...