Celebrations in Argentina as World Cup Win Brings ‘Paradise’ to Nation
People in Buenos Aires are celebrating Argentina’s victory in the World Cup final against France. The streets are loud with honking and shouting, and there was a long line of people outside a bar in the San Telmo district an hour and a half before the match started. The atmosphere was electric, with people screaming and smashing glasses when Lionel Messi scored and mosh pits forming when Ángel Di María scored. Fans were ecstatic, wearing blue and white striped jerseys and glitter flags on their faces and arms as they embraced and jumped for joy.
Two quick goals from France’s Kylian Mbappé caused tension and anxiety among Argentina fans. As the game went into extra time, some people were visibly distressed. When the match ended in a penalty shootout, the atmosphere was tense and uncertain. Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved one penalty, and another shot from France missed the goal. Gonzalo Montiel’s final kick secured victory for Argentina. Juan Pablo Iglesias, a 48-year-old Argentina fan, was overjoyed, embracing his 8-year-old son Manuel and telling him, “We’re champions! We’re the greatest in the world!” Manuel was crying tears of joy.
Outside the bar, 22-year-old Iara Diaz was overjoyed with the outcome of the game. When Mbappé scored a goal with 10 minutes left in normal time, Diaz was frustrated. This was seen as Messi’s last chance to win the World Cup, and Diaz believed he deserved it. Argentina’s last World Cup victory was in 1986, when Maradona scored the famous “Hand of God” goal against England. After the game, fans celebrated in the streets, honking car horns, playing cumbia music, and setting up impromptu drumming bands with upturned paint buckets and cans. Grilled beef filled the air with its aroma on a sunny afternoon.
Argentina’s World Cup Win Brings Relief Amid Struggles
Throughout the World Cup tournament, there was a feeling that Argentina needed a victory to boost morale amid the country’s economic and political challenges. Argentina has been recovering from a severe recession, a currency crisis, and high inflation. The city of Buenos Aires also had one of the longest lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was sentenced to six years in jail for corruption, which has heightened political tensions in the country.
The World Cup victory offers a chance for Argentina to come together and unite despite their challenges. At the beginning of the tournament, Argentina unexpectedly lost their first match to Saudi Arabia, causing fans to be disappointed. In the quarterfinals, Argentina almost lost to the Netherlands after letting a 2-0 lead slip, but they eventually won in a shootout. Despite these setbacks, Argentina was able to advance to the semifinals and defeat Croatia, giving the team and their fans hope for success.
Before the final match, Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández tweeted to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, expressing affection for him but expressing support for Argentina in the game. Martina Lovigné, a teacher from Messi’s hometown of Rosario, watched the match at an Argentinian bar in Paris. She described the victory as an “enormous joy” and was happy to see the colors of Argentina’s national team jersey on display in Paris. The streets in Paris were reportedly crowded during the match, but have returned to normal now that the game is over, and Argentinian fans are celebrating the victory.
