BUENOS AIRES, June 12: Argentine fans rioted Wednesday as an already embattled nation was shocked by the World Cup exit of its beloved football team.

With the country suffering its worst economic problems in decades the people had been seeking solace in sport — but the pre-tournament favourites failed to give them anything to cheer.

Around 150 fans went on the rampage in the central city of Cordoba, breaking bottles and windows hours.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse them and arrested 35.

In Buenos Aires, hundreds of thousands of fans had risen from their beds in the early hours to watch the match on television.

Some people said their elimination had added significance at a time when unemployment is soaring and savings are being de-valued.

“It’s yet another sad blow for the Argentine people who have suffered so much with the general situation which we are going through,” said 55-year-old housewife Silvia Barruti as she stared disconsolately at the floor of a downtown cafe here.

Trader Sergio Barriche, 29, defiantly wore his blue and white shirt and a bandana in the national colours but had harsh words for the team of flops, most of whom play for the biggest clubs in Italy and Spain.

“People who earn so much money as those players should make sure they produce the goods from the first match onwards and not just in the final few minutes when it’s too late,” he said, referring to a late flurry of chances against the Swedes.

The one point left Sweden top of Group F while England, who beat Argentina last week, pushed the South Americans through the exit door by taking the second qualifying spot.

Midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who plays for English giants Manchester United, had spoken before the tournament about the need to perform well for the country’s sake.

“For us it’s the World Cup or nothing. So many great hopes and expectations have been built up around this side, that we have no choice but to go out there and win the title.

“Sport cannot resolve all our problems, but it can at least reunite us a little bit more,” he added.

But their poor showing in Japan has only created a chasm between the team and the fans.

Argentina had high hopes after romping through qualifying and then beating Nigeria 1-0 in their opening match.

But that dawn, after a defeat to England and the Swedish draw, proved as false as the gloomy one which arrived here in the early morning.—AFP