<p>Argentina fans have flooded Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, camping out, downing drinks and firing up barbecues as they dream of World Cup glory in their rivals’ turf.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Some 30 motor-homes line the famed Atlantica Avenue with Argentine license plates showing they drove a long way to see their heroes Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria.<br /><br />The rivalry between the two South American nations reaches fever pitch when it comes to football.<br /><br />Argentines say Diego Maradona is the greatest of all time, Brazilians have Pele. This time, it’s Messi versus Neymar. The contest could very well be settled with a potential clash of the titans at the July 13 final at the Maracana on July 13, a dream scenario for many fans.<br /><br />Christian Roman, 36, drove nearly 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) from Buenos Aires in his 62-year-old father Ruben’s black and yellow taxi cab.<br /><br />“It took us three days to travel and we spent last night in tents (Saturday) on the beach,” he said near the Copacabana Palace hotel where one night costs $1,350 (1,000 euros) during the World Cup.<br /><br />Roman and fellow Argentines prepared an Argentine “asado” barbecue between two cars with the renowned beef of their homeland.<br /><br />Even beef, it seems, is a matter of competition.<br /><br />“The meat here is no good. They don’t cut it well,” he said as the group drank a cola-based Argentine cocktail, though he hailed the “wonderful welcome” Brazilians have given them.<br /><br />The makeshift Copacabana colony was bedecked in Argentina’s white-and-blue-striped flag, competing with Brazil’s yellow and green banners. </p>
<p>Argentina fans have flooded Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach, camping out, downing drinks and firing up barbecues as they dream of World Cup glory in their rivals’ turf.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Some 30 motor-homes line the famed Atlantica Avenue with Argentine license plates showing they drove a long way to see their heroes Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria.<br /><br />The rivalry between the two South American nations reaches fever pitch when it comes to football.<br /><br />Argentines say Diego Maradona is the greatest of all time, Brazilians have Pele. This time, it’s Messi versus Neymar. The contest could very well be settled with a potential clash of the titans at the July 13 final at the Maracana on July 13, a dream scenario for many fans.<br /><br />Christian Roman, 36, drove nearly 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) from Buenos Aires in his 62-year-old father Ruben’s black and yellow taxi cab.<br /><br />“It took us three days to travel and we spent last night in tents (Saturday) on the beach,” he said near the Copacabana Palace hotel where one night costs $1,350 (1,000 euros) during the World Cup.<br /><br />Roman and fellow Argentines prepared an Argentine “asado” barbecue between two cars with the renowned beef of their homeland.<br /><br />Even beef, it seems, is a matter of competition.<br /><br />“The meat here is no good. They don’t cut it well,” he said as the group drank a cola-based Argentine cocktail, though he hailed the “wonderful welcome” Brazilians have given them.<br /><br />The makeshift Copacabana colony was bedecked in Argentina’s white-and-blue-striped flag, competing with Brazil’s yellow and green banners. </p>