Applause. Then cheers in different languages. The flight attendant says that it is 11 degrees outside. Packed with football crazy fans from different corners of the world, the festive atmosphere is palpable. Touchdown Moscow.
As people talk excitedly to their fellow passengers, I notice that there are supporters from three countries that have dominated our aircraft—Australia, Nigeria and Argentina. They're all wearing their national colours. (One can never get tired of ogling at THAT beautiful Nigeria jersey, which has been all the rage on social media.)
With the heightened concerns of racism ahead of the tournament, I overhear an inebriated Russian fan assuring an African counterpart that if he faces any problems to contact him. Our African friend isn't too interested by the offer and returns a weak smile.
While the Australian who sat two seats away from me admitted that he doesn't expect his team to go far in the tournament, he insists that he'll stay the whole tournament anyway “because it doesn't get bigger than this.” He hasn't got a ticket to even one Australian game, reflective of the mad rush for tickets. He tells me that he will settle for the Fan Fests apparently.
The best part of the journey was when I bumped into an Argentine and a Nigerian in the middle of a friendly conversation. The three of us were waiting for our turns to use the loo. The Argentine could manage only a few words in English, but he talked excitedly about Argentina's prospects. To which the Nigerian laughed and retorted, “I beat you this time. You wait and see, I beat your team this time.” The banter had begun, but the man from Buenos Aires seemed unfazed.
For the fifth time in Nigeria's six World Cup appearances, the African side will face Argentina in the group stage. And La Albiceleste have come on top on every occasion, though each of those victories were thrillers in which Argentina won by only one-goal margins.
The two teams have met on four continents (USA '94, Japan '02, South Africa '10 and Brazil '14) and will now take their battle to a fifth, Europe. The first meeting between the two happened to be Diego Maradona's last World Cup match before his infamous ban, in 1994.
But with Nigeria stunning Argentina 4-2 in a friendly in November last year—a game held in Moscow—it is not just a lot of history behind the clash, but also the potential for a mouth-watering affair. No wonder the fans are having a go at each other!
The Argentine told me that he was upset with Manuel Lanzini's eleventh-hour injury. Yet he falls back on a phrase we have been hearing for almost a decade—“But we have Messi.” Game, set, match. Just not a championship point, for now.
Sadly, the excitement seemed to dissipate as this aircraft full of fans emptied itself into the big city. A few hoardings aside, it is just another busy day at the Domodedovo airport and the bustling city. Besides the occasional merchandise sold at fast food joints, the locals really don't seem to care much for the massive festival that is heading their way. My host, an Indian, tells me that he's much more excited about the tournament than any of the Russians he has met.
The Argentine team arrived a day before we did in a Rolling Stones-themed aircraft. If they aren't feeling the love either, it's about time the city got its act together. Wake up, Moscow!