Mangaluru: Chants of “Vamos España!” echoed in the city in the early hours of Monday as nearly 700 football fans gathered for the live screening of the FIFA final organised by the Dakshina Kannada District Football Association at a multiplex in the city.Despite exams, work commitments and the late-night kickoff, enthusiasts turned up in large numbers to witness Spain edge past Argentina in a gripping contest. The rivalry was not limited to the pitch, as fans inside the venue engaged in a battle of chants: “Argentina! Argentina!” versus “Spain, Spain.”Cheers for stars like Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal echoed across the hall, with every attacking move drawing loud reactions. Tension built through the game as both sides fought hard, with fans anxiously awaiting the breakthrough.The loudest screams of the night came in extra time when Ferran Torres found the net in the 106th minute, finally breaking the deadlock and sparking celebrations among Spain supporters. However, anxiety followed for Messi fans in the dying minutes of extra time, as Argentina pushed forward for a goal to tie. Messi fans watched nervously, but Spain held firm, denying Argentina a final attempt at goal.As the final whistle blew, Spain fans broke into celebrations, with chants and cheers filling the multiplex. Some supporters playfully booed their Argentine counterparts. Fans across age groups were present, showing the growing popularity of football in the region.Rains causes less turnoutDakshina Kannada District Football Association president DM Aslam said that while seating was limited and the screening had to be restricted indoors due to rain, the response remained strong. Speaking about the football’s popularity steadily rising in the region, he said, even with fewer seats, we had many inquiries. During the Qatar final in 2022, more than a thousand fans had gathered. If not for the rain this time, we could have easily seen over 2,000 attendees, he said.Former footballer Mohammed Mukthar urged authorities to allow screenings at restaurants and other venues, like Bengaluru, to accommodate the growing number of fans. Football enthusiast Praveen D’Souza, an Argentina supporter since the 1980s who also attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, said that while football culture is more intense abroad, the enthusiasm in cities like Mangaluru is on the rise. Apart from the multiplex, screenings were also organised at various football clubs across the city.
