Argentina have become the bookies’ favourite to win the first World Cup on African soil, after two clear wins in opening matches while their closest competitors failed to impress.
Bookmaker William Hill said England’s lacklustre goalless draw with Algeria on Friday was one of the most profitable matches involving the team ever as fans lost money on bets for them to win in Cape Town.
“The game against Algeria was probably the biggest winning match involving England for us ever,” said a spokesman, estimating that British bookies made £10 million on that match alone.
Both bookmakers Ladbrokes and William Hill had Spain as favourites to win ahead of the tournament but their surprise 1-0 loss against Switzerland in their tournament opener prompted a fall from grace.