Matthew Newman and Romina Ledesma, who have been together for five years and live in Little Milton, will be backing different sides as England face Argentina in a high-stakes match on the world stage.

Mr Newman, a passionate England supporter, said: “There is a lot of history between the two countries, inside and outside of football and it’s the first time I will have watched a game between the two – even better that it’s on the world stage in a semi-final of the World Cup.”

His partner, from Argentina, is just as excited.

Romi said: “It will be Leo’s first time against England so it’s a very important game for Argentina tonight as well.”

The pair have been teasing each other since the start of the tournament, fully aware that a clash between their teams was always a possibility.

Matt, who works in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, said they have exchanged ‘lots of small jokes here and there’, with “the occasional ‘It’s coming home’ mid-conversation and chats about what I’ll be doing when we win.”.

Ms Ledesma added: “We were joking about playing against each other in this World Cup at some point, but we didn’t expect that to happen, and suddenly… here we are!

“We have been teasing each other match by match, but not just each other but also with our Argentinians and English friends.”

Despite their playful rivalry, the couple agree that watching the game together might not be the best idea this time.

Matt said: “We decided it’s probably not best to watch together, especially considering it would be a little odd going together to a place full of English supporters and Romi is there on her own supporting Argentina.”

Romi said she will watch the game with her Argentinian friends.

She said: “I will be watching it with my Argentinian friends at their house, which will be super fun! I feel it would be a bit awkward watching it in any bar/pub being an Argentinian supporter.”

Football holds deep personal meaning for both fans, each convinced of their team’s chances.

Matt said: “We’ve come so close to winning things in the past couple of years, and I really do think that this time we can go all the way.

“Jude is in the form of his life and can always count on Kane to bag a goal when we need one.”

Yet Romi is equally optimistic about Argentina’s prospects.

She said: “As Argentinians, we are passionate people, and that passion shows in the way we support our teams.

“Whether it’s football, hockey, polo, Formula 1, basketball, or any other sport, we always give our full support to the athletes no matter the result.”

Each has their own score prediction, adding extra anticipation to the evening.

Matt predicts a 3-1 win for England whilst Romi reckons it will be 4-2 Argentina.

He said: “I think we have too much pace on the wings for Argentina and they play such a high line – but wouldn’t be surprised if they got a goal first – as they have players with great quality.”

Romi expects a high-scoring win for her team.

She said: “Argentina have been giving us small heart attacks in the last few matches, but I feel tonight they will be pressing and playing hard from the start.”

The invasive plant, which poses risks to property and infrastructure, has been recorded in 329 verified sightings across the county, according to Environet, which uses a live online tracker to monitor problem areas.

That equates to approximately 0.33 incidents per square mile.

The hotspots identified are Oxford, Banbury, Henley, Bicester and Chipping Norton.

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Emily Grant, director at Environet, said: “Japanese knotweed is now firmly established right across the country, which means homeowners everywhere should know what to look for.

“My advice to anyone living or buying a home in a Japanese knotweed hotspot is to check your garden regularly during the growing season.

“At this time of year, an established knotweed plant can be identified quite easily by its hard bamboo-like canes and distinctive bright green shield-shaped leaves which grow in a zig-zag pattern along the stem.

“The earlier it’s spotted, the easier and cheaper it is to deal with.

“Acting quickly with professional advice will prevent it spreading further and help protect both your property and its value.”

The warning follows new research carried out by Environet in partnership with Censuswide, which found that seven per cent of UK homes are already affected by the plant—amounting to more than 1.58 million properties.

The presence of Japanese knotweed typically reduces property values by around five per cent, or roughly £13,500 per home.

Environet’s Exposed: The Japanese Knotweed Heatmap is built from its own enquiries, public sources and verified sightings submitted by members of the public using the map’s ‘Add Sighting’ feature.

Homeowners and buyers can enter their postcode to see how many sightings have been reported within a five-mile radius.

The top five areas affected in Oxfordshire are Oxford (65 sightings), Banbury (17), Henley-on-Thames (13), Bicester (12), and Chipping Norton (eight).

Japanese knotweed was first introduced to the UK in the Victorian era as an ornamental garden plant and has since spread widely through contaminated soil, waterways, and more than 150 years of industrial activity, construction and infrastructure works.

While the plant cannot reproduce by seed in the UK, its rhizome system can stretch up to seven metres laterally underground, and even tiny fragments can regenerate into new plants.

After ash dieback disease, Japanese knotweed is considered the UK’s second most costly invasive non-native species.

Economic costs are estimated at £246.5 million annually, according to the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).

Those who suspect knotweed on or near their property can send a photo to expert@environetuk.com for free identification.

If confirmed, a survey will be needed to assess the extent of the infestation, potential risks, and suitable treatment options.

During summer, Japanese knotweed can be identified by tall, upright canes which can reach two to three metres high, dense clusters of stems emerging from a central crown, large green shield-shaped leaves with a pointed tip that grow alternately up the stem, and by late summer, cone-shaped tassels of small creamy-white flowers.

Early identification and action are key to preventing spread, reducing remediation costs, and avoiding potential damage to property and legal disputes between neighbours.

Northamptonshire Police has released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with an incident outraging public decency on a bus travelling through the Brackley area.

Brackley lies on the borders with Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, about nine miles east-south-east of Banbury, and 19 miles north-north-east of Oxford.

The incident occurred on the 500 bus service operating between Banbury and Bicester between 1pm and 1.40pm on Friday, June 19.

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A man was reportedly ‘committing an indecent act’ on the bus, according to the force.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said: “Officers believe the man in the CCTV image may have information that could assist with their enquiries and are urging him, or anyone who recognises him, to get in touch.”

Anyone who recognises the man or has information about the incident is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, or make an report on the police’s website, quoting incident number 26000369521 .

Alternatively, make an anonymous report to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.