Argentine fans out in force for World Cup final

Jubilant Argentine fans have been honking car horns down the streets of Rio de Janeiro before the World Cup final, prompting Brazilians to shout back their allegiance in this match: "Germany!"

Still smarting over their team's humiliating World Cup elimination, many Brazilians are backing Germany over their South American neighbours, but football arch-rivals, in the game at the iconic Maracana Stadium.

Some 100,000 Argentinians are expected to descend on Rio.

Since the tournament kicked off on June 12, legions of Argentines have flooded Brazilian cities, taunting their hosts with chants that their hero Diego Maradona was better than Brazil legend Pele.

After Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany in the semi-final, Argentines held up seven fingers and chanted "They ate seven goals!" Brazilians chanted back that they had won a record five titles.

After Brazil lost 3-0 to the Netherlands in Saturday's third-place playoff, taking the two-game tally to 10 goals, a group of Argentines walked down a Rio street in the dead of night and loudly counted to 10.

Cars and buses packed with Argentine fans waving their country's white and blue flag and honking their horns streamed across Rio streets hours before the final.

For Brazilians, seeing Argentina win on their soil would add insult to injury.

"We're in a tough spot. We have the choice between our executioners (Germany) or our historic rivals, the Argentines," said Francisco Silva, a public worker.

"I'm choosing Germany because if the 'hermanos' (brothers) win, they'll mock us for life."

Along Copacabana, some Argentines spent the night in tents or sleeper-vans.

A long line formed outside the official Fan Fest, which can fit 25,000 people in front of a jumbo screen on the beach.

About 100 Argentina fans used a giant flag to keep off the sun, chanting, "Proud to be Argentine!"