England and Argentina fans booed one another’s anthems in an electric opening to their World Cup semi-final meeting.
The Three Lions’ rendition of God Save the King was almost drowned out by Argentinian fans singing and jeering ahead of the clash between the sides.
Argentina’s national anthem was then largely lost under a chorus of boos from the England support.
Players and coaching staff in Lionel Messi’s team were visibly trying to raise their voices above the din but much of the anthem was not picked up by the TV cameras.
It marked an atmospheric beginning to the much-anticipated clash between two teams with a good deal of history and shared animosity.
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BBC commentator Guy Mowbray reacted to the spectacle as “something a little bit different”.
He remarked that anthems in the World Cup so far had been largely respectful and without incident.
However, co-commentator and former England striker Alan Shearer acknowledged that the two sets of fans “don’t like each other”, adding “that’s fine”.
The build up to the match has seen a number of small clashes between England and Argentina fans in the US and elsewhere.
The game has the highest level of security seen at the tournament so far as officials fear fan trouble could be seen in the crowds.
Whoever wins the semi-final will face Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday.
Spain beat France 2-0 on Tuesday night to secure the first spot in the final.
