You may have noticed my focus on Latin America, South America in particular. This started twenty years ago when we lived in Santiago, Chile for a year. The economic and sports rivalry between Chile and Argentina was palpable. (En español más adelante) In the past, Argentinians visited Santiago, asked the price for shoes for example, and said “That cheap? I’ll buy two pairs.”
Hard working Chileans did not appreciate that view too much. However, 2002 was not kind financially to Argentina; runaway inflation, runs on the banks, banks freezing all accounts. In revenge, Chileans thought about visiting Buenos Aires and talking loudly about bargains. The rivalry continues.
In sports, Argentina has a strong soccer/fútbol history. They have won the Copa América 15 times since 1916 (so has Uruguay). Delightfully, from their western neighbor’s point of view they lost to Chile in 2015 and 2016 in penalty shoot outs. Chile was number one in 2015 and 2016. Argentina was the champion again in 2021.
On the Soccer World Cup scene, Argentina has won twice in 1978 and 1986. Maximum third place win for Chile (1962) and for the United States (1930) in the World Cup football.
France has won the competition twice, in 1998 and 2018, so they are evenly matched with Argentina. May the best team win. Sunday, 6 pm Qatar Time, 4 pm Madrid, 9 am Chicago. Will the Chileans be cheering loudly for France, or hoping that “one of their own;” a South American team will win?
Have you watched the World Cup? All or none of the games?
¡Olé! –Rebecca
Thanks to the FIFA World Cup site for the stats.
Cuando el rival llega a los finales de la copa mundial
Es posible que hayan notado mi enfoque en América Latina, Súdamerica en particular. Empezó hace veinte años cuando vivimos en Santiago de Chile por un año. La rivalidad económica y deportiva entre Chile y Argentina era palpable. En el pasado, unos argentinos visitaron a la ciudad de Santiago, consultaron un precio, por un par de zapatos por ejemplo. Al recibir la respuesta, dijeron “Tan barato. Dáme dos pares…”
Los trabajadores chilenos no estuvieron felices con estos intercambios. Pero, en cambio el año 2002, no era buena financialmente para los argentinos; inflación fuera de control, colas para sacar dinero de los bancos, bancos cerrados por impedir la frenesí. Los chilenos pensaron en tomar su vengaza, visitar a Buenos Aires hablando en voces muy altas de las gangas.
En los deportes, Argentina tiene una historia larga de dominar el fútbol. Ganaron la Copa América 15 veces desde 1916 (tal como Uruguay). Felizmente por el punto de vista de su vecino al oeste, perdieron a Chile en 2015 y 2016 en tiros penales. Chile era el número uno en fútbol en 2015 y 2016. Argentina era el campeon de nuevo en 2021.
En la Copa Mundial, Argentina ganó dos veces, en 1978 y 1986. Pero, tercer lugar es lo máximo que han alcanzado Chile (1962) y los Estados Unidos (1930) en la Copa Mundial.
La Francia ganó la competencia dos veces, en 1998 y 2018, así están en par con la Argentina. Será un partido interesante. Entre Argentina y Francia, qué gane el mejor equipo el domingo 6 pm Qatar, 4 pm Madrid, 9 am Chicago. ¿Los chilenos estarán gritando por Francia, o mejor que gane “uno de los suyos”, un equipo sudamericano?
¿Miraste los partidos de la Copa Mundial este mes?¿Todos o ninguno?
¡Olé! –Rebecca
Fake Flamenco 
I love this perspective on the rivalry, Rebecca. I haven’t watched the World Cup this go around but I love the way you’ve set up the tension around the final!
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Thanks, Wynne. Looks to be an exciting game.
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I didn’t watched a single game because of many reasons but keeping myself informed a little. May the best team win on Sunday.
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Thanks, Hammad. The game times haven’t always matched my schedule, but fortunately videos of the games are easy to find.
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Normally, I watch the World Cup, fill in the score sheets religiously, put up decoration. This one, though, I boycotted. Mind you, quite an easy decision, since my birth country never made it out of the group stages and my adopted home country never qualified in the first place. I’m not sure I would have been quite so steadfast, if either Germany or Scotland played in the Final!!!
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Thanks for your comments, Britta. I take it you’re not wild about the location. If it weren’t for Latin America, I might not have cause to watch men’s football either!
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It’s the fact Qatar got the World Cup through bribery, then built the stadia by exploiting their workforce in unspeakable conditions, hundreds of them died, let alone Qatar’s treatment of the LGBT+ community…
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Great summary of the serious unresolved problems with the host. Thanks, Britta.
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Oh, and yes, may the better team win!
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Thanks, Britta!
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Haha we were in Brazil for the first round so we were cheering for them. Now I think I’ll clear for their’s and Chile’s rival, Argentina!
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That must have been fun to watch the matches in Brazil. Have fun watching on Sunday.
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The Argentinian/Chilean rivalry Really is Something!
It was exciting to see how well Morocco did, offing Spain and Portugal …
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I believe Spain and Portugal were most displeased! A second conquest of the peninsula…
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I actually haven’t been watching the World Cup, although I’ve been vicariously following the results along on social media. And having just gone to Argentina this past month, it’s really cool to see the country advance onto the finals! Not only that, but also France, where I spent a notable amount of time there in my twenties! We’ll have to see who comes out on top!
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Cool how you have ties to both countries. Look forward to hearing more about your travels . 🙂
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Football? Nah, not bothered.
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Good for you, to each her own. 🙂 I played football as teen, so it’s the sport with most interest for me.
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Let’s see what happens.
I am least interested anyway.
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India’s more of a powerhouse in cricket, right? Do you look like watching that? 🙂
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No I don’t do that too either.
I’m not interested in any sports tbh. 🤭
I’m not interested in anything much 😝
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That’s fine, my husband is not interested in sports. You will be s good catch! 😉 You are interested in health.
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Yes 🐢🤪
Would you like to give a topic suggestion?
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How fitness – working out – keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter because your body is running efficiently. 🙂
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That’s the title for 1 blog? 😱
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That’s the idea for the blog, you’ll think up a good title; Warrmer in Winter, Cooler in Summer
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Okay then 🌟
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Argentina is a definite rival to England after the Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup. Cheating!!! Wikipedia has an article about it.
Mind you, it goes back bit bit further than that, something to do with an invasion of islands…. 😉
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I missed the world cup in 1986, I was busy working as a nanny for four kids. I’ll look it up. As for those islands: Las Islas Malvinas, yes of course.
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https://dilrangapereradrama.wordpress.com/
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