Argentina cheers loss of 'Sad Spice'

Argentina has been barely able to contain its glee following the crunching tackle which threatens David Beckham's World Cup dream.

Daily sports newspaper Ole described Deport ivo La Coruna's Argentinian star Aldo Duscher, whose reckless lunge snapped a bone in Beckham's left foot, as a national hero.

The sentiment was echoed by the headline "Don't cry for me, England" above a report which went on to dub the England captain "Sad Spice". Argentina, who are set to play England on 7 June, have benefited from Beckham's misfortune before.

They were the opponents when Beckham was sent off at the last World Cup after flicking a kick at captain Diego Simeone.

Ole stated: "Duscher is a national hero. If Beckham is out, all the better for us. (Just like what happened in 1998 when Simeone exaggerated a dive after a foul and managed to have the Englishman sent off)."

In the capital Buenos Aries, La Nacion gloated: "A fracture could leave Beckham out of the World Cup." Pablo Perantuono, editor of the weekly magazine Noticias, was quoted as saying: "Since the [Falklands] war and the World Cup in Mexico, Argentina and England have been rivals. Of course there will be people who think it is very good for us to play England without Beckham."

Even one of England's other opponents, Sweden, was gleeful. Popular daily Aftonbladet said: "To be cynical, Sweden yesterday took a big step towards victory against England on 2 June."

However, Germany's Nuremberg News lamented: "It will be a tragedy for football, for English fans, for football lovers everywhere and the World Cup tournament if Beckham cannot play."