In a country that loves cricket, football fans in the southern Indian state of Kerala have always stood out for their love for the sport.
On Sunday, the state was getting ready to watch the final between France and Argentina.
Argentinian and French flags fluttered in the streets as fans gathered by thousands to watch the match on makeshift screens.
But two people stood out because of how much they loved the beautiful game. The wedding of Sachin R and R Athira was on the same day as the final on Sunday. Even though they agreed on most of the details of their wedding, they didn’t want to give in on who they were rooting for in the final.
Sachin is a huge fan of Lionel Messi, who plays for Argentina. Athira, on the other hand, loves the French football team.
Hours before the two teams played one of the most exciting games in World Cup history in Qatar’s Lusail Stadium, they got married in Kochi city.
According to a local newspaper, the bride and groom in addition to their jewellery and traditional wedding clothes, wore number 10 jerseys representing their favourite football star. Athira wore one for French forward Kylian Mbappe, and Sachin wore Messi’s colours for Argentina.
Reportedly, the newlyweds rushed through their reception and wedding feast so they could get back to Sachin’s house in Thiruvananthapuram to watch the nerve-cracking amazing final.
Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in one of the most iconic finals witnessed after the match ended 3-3 in extra-time. Messi scored twice while Mbappe netted a hattrick in the final.