‘We love this team’: Argentina street party erupts after World Cup win

Buenos Aires: Hundreds of thousands of Argentinians poured into the sunlit streets of Buenos Aires, ecstatic after a nail-biting victory on penalties in the World Cup final over France made the South Americans world champions for the first time since 1986.

In a tense and roller-coaster match played in Qatar in front of some 88,000 fans, Argentina, led by star Lionel Messi, took home its third World Cup after beating France, the defending champions, 4-2 on penalties after drawing 3-3 after extra time.

Argentine soccer fans celebrate their team’s World Cup victory over France, in Buenos Aires.Credit: AP

“I can’t believe it! It was difficult, but we did it, thanks to Messi,” said Santiago, 13, celebrating the victory with his family in front of the Buenos Aires house that had belonged to late soccer icon Diego Maradona, who led the team in 1986.

Bearing flags, hats and the country’s iconic blue-and-white jerseys, Argentinians took over Buenos Aires’ downtown and other iconic spots within minutes of the win. Across the country, other celebrations broke out.

“It was an incredible game, at times anguishing,” said 46-year-old Diego Aburgeily, who cheered on the national side from the suburbs of Buenos Aires.

“This team made people fall in love with them for the first time in decades.”

The crowds in Buenos Aires.Credit: Getty

Argentina lost the final of the tournament against Germany in 2014.

Winning soccer’s ultimate prize, Argentina’s first in 36 years, provided a much-needed distraction from the misery of day-to-day life.

Inflation, a perennial problem in the crisis-prone country, is poised to end the year near 100 per cent after starting it at 50 per cent. While jobs have come back and unemployment has fallen, wage growth for many new employees is below inflation, meaning workers are losing buying power. Extreme poverty is on the rise some 40 per cent of the population has been pushed into poverty by the economic crisis.

If history is any guide, the presidential election next year is set to inject more volatility into an economy already grinding through a crop drought that’s expected to hurt crucial commodity exports. Economists surveyed by the central bank expect inflation to remain near 100 per cent by the end of next year.

But for now at least, there’s a sense that Argentinians are all on the same side.

“It’s an achievement that’s unified the country,” said 41-year-old Emiliano Piano who made the expensive trip to Qatar and watched his team’s seven games.

The win “doesn’t resolve anything but you feel grateful for a moment that there isn’t the famous political divide,” he said.

“We could have won it comfortably, but we were forced to suffer, like always,” said Rogelio Vazquez, another fan.

“But the suffering makes the win all the more enjoyable.”

Nerves were running high as the two teams took to penalty kicks after extra time.

Messi easily scored for Argentina, followed by a goal from France’s Kylian Mbappe. Two more goals from Argentina and two unsuccessful shots from France meant the next goal would finish the game.

Some Argentinians hung their heads, others prayed.

The final penalty kick from Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel caused the ball to sail neatly into the net.

Shouting, jumping and spraying their drinks into the air, incredulous supporters erupted in cheers as the team clinched the win. Some, hugging friends and family, were even brought to tears.

“Dibu [Martinez], Messi, the whole team, I love them,” said Jonathan Heredia, his voice hoarse from cheering. “I feel like they made me cry, I wanted this more than anything.”

Huge crowds surrounded the Obelisco monument in the centre of Buenos Aires, like they had done after the semi-final win over Croatia. Other fans leaned out the side of cars waving flags and jerseys as they rode through the streets.

Argentinian soccer fans celebrate their team’s World Cup victory over France, in Buenos Aires.Credit: AP

“It is an immense joy after so much tension,” Nicolas Piry, a 46-year-old lawyer, told Reuters.

“The harmony between the team, headed by a leader who plays at a level making him the best in the world, and the players’ condition in general led us to this well-deserved success. Let’s go Argentina!”

Messi, 35, scored in the first half and then again in extra time, while Angel Di Maria scored the other for Argentina. Mbappe, 23, scored all three French goals before the shootout.

Argentinian soccer fans descend on Buenos Aires’ Obelisk square to celebrate their team’s World Cup victory over France.Credit: AP

The final win cements Messi’s status as a legend among Argentinians.

“It’s just crazy that it happened this way,” the veteran player said. “I wanted this so very much.”

Reuters, Bloomberg

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