Arshavin joins Uzbekistan fans at the Azteca

Andrey Arshavin spotted with Uzbekistan fans at the Azteca

The man who scored four at Anfield in 2009 was in Mexico City on Wednesday, standing with your supporters. Reddit caught it: a photo of Andrey Arshavin mixed in with the Uzbekistan crowd at the Azteca for the Colombia opener (Reddit 1). No explanation yet on why he was there. But it's a surreal crossover for a nation playing its first World Cup match.

First game, first taste of the biggest stage

Uzbekistan 0–3 Colombia in the Group K opener. The Azteca was never going to be gentle, and it wasn't. Colombia struck early and never let your team settle. The scoreline stings, but this is the cost of experience Cannavaro talked about. Portugal and DR Congo are still to come.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood online is split between pride at just being there and the sting of the result. Arshavin's appearance in the stands has given fans something lighter to talk about. One thread on r/soccer is just the photo, no context needed, and the comments are a mix of disbelief and nostalgia. See the thread: Andrey Arshavin joined the Uzbekistan fans last night in the Azteca