The only thing better than noshing fresh hot empanadas at 7:28 a.m. is watching tempestuous Argentine hero Diego Maradona go apeshit while you chew. Special correspondents C.T. Schwink and Mike Madden report from El Patio in Rockville early Thursday morning, where the owner demands that everyone stands during the broadcast of Himno Nacional Argentino:

1st minute-About 30 people are here. They’ve set up rows of seats inside, as well as tables outside to watch the game. Couple of guys throw their blue and white jerseys over their button-up shirts and ties. Seems some people will be late to work today.

16th minute-Argentina goes up 1-0. The applause here lasts almost as long as the Univision announcer’s “gooooooooooooooooooool!” That applause turns to snickering when the replay reveals that South Korea knocked the ball into its own net.

32nd minute-Argentina goes up 2-zippy. A man is tossing his baby in the air in excitement. The baby, for some reason, doesn’t seem as thrilled.

45th minute-Two young Korean women, who wandered into the restaurant midway through the first half, shriek with delight as South Korea scores a goal just before halftime. A cameraman from Univision videotapes their celebration. Everyone else mostly ignores them. The Koreans leave abruptly after finishing their breakfast. As they depart, a waiter remarks, “I couldn’t believe they were cheering for the Korean goal…but they’re cute!” About 50 people are here now.

75th minute-Argentina scores again! An older woman in the kitchen starts ringing the order-up bell with a beaming smile.

Final whistle-Argentina wins, 4-1. A waitress points out that Schwink’s Spanish is about as poor as the Koreans’ play on the pitch today. At least his empanadas era muy delicioso.

Games resume at 7:30 a.m. Drinks at 8 a.m. Where to go? Consult our trusty guide: Where to Watch the World Cup.

Photo by Arne Musseler/Creative Commons Attribution License