SINGAPORE – Hours before the 3am kick-off on July 20, thousands of football fans in Singapore were gearing up for the World Cup finale, making the trek from home or supper spots to their preferred watering holes and watch party spots around the island.

A do-or-die battle between Spain and Argentina was on the cards after 5 1⁄2 weeks of non-stop football entertainment, and like millions around the world in Madrid, Buenos Aires, Beijing, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur, Singaporeans fans in Kallang, Tampines, and Woodlands wanted a piece of the action.

For some local fans, the night proved more dramatic than the action in New Jersey, as what was supposed to be a night of football and beers soon turned into an expedition.

Nanyang Technological University undergraduates Damien Ooi, Jonas Lim, Muhammad Al-Wazir, Ronak Sanan and Elliot Goh had initially intended to catch the match at CHIJMES, but quickly had to hunt for an alternative after arriving there at midnight only to find the venue fully packed.

The group of friends headed to Lau Pa Sat, only to discover that it was also full.

They eventually made their way to the Kallang Wave Mall at 2am, joining over 2,000 supporters at the atrium, with some seen spilling onto walkways and gathering on the upper floor in order to get a view of the screens.