BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – A mass eruption sent tens of thousands of soccer fans flooding the streets of Argentina’s capital Wednesday night. Delighted with national team’s 2-1 victory reach the skies over england world cup final.
Some screamed, others cried, and the most frenzied ran shirtless through the streets of Buenos Aires in the pouring winter rain, their bodies painted in the national colors of blue and white. Young men and women climbed lampposts and traffic lights waving Argentine flags. Many were completely overwhelmed by the moment and sobbed.
Celebrations were likely to last late into the night and continued Lautaro Martinez’s Scored the winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time in a game in Atlanta. defending champion argentina I’m going to play in Spain Sunday’s World Cup final.
“Look at all the strangers jumping and dancing together,” said Catholic nun Rosana Beto Cruz, 48, who was caught up in a wave of Argentine fans singing, honking car horns and setting off fireworks as they streamed toward the city’s towering downtown monument, the obelisk.
“The World Cup, our national team will make this happen,” she added.
Argentina aims for new trophy
According to many fans, the public joy wasn’t about reaching the finals or defending the title. they won four years ago Because in Qatar it was to crush their country’s historical adversaries.
Wednesday’s semi-final was the latest chapter in a long-running feud that extends beyond the pitch and into British control. Disputed Falkland IslandsWhich Argentina calls Malvinas and claims it as its sovereign territory.
“This is not just about football, it’s about defeating a country that broke our hearts,” said Maria Bertello, 40, referring to the brutal 10 weeks of war in 1982. “My heart still hurts for all the boys who were sent to die.”
But when she talked about Wednesday’s game, awe overcame her sadness. “It’s incredible. It’s magic. I’m proud to be Argentinian.”
The celebrations in Buenos Aires were in sharp contrast to recent sentiments against Argentina expressed on social media. FIFA accused And the judges conspired Superstar Lionel Messi And Argentina reached the final, stirring up resentment against the reigning champions.
There is no evidence for such claims, but there are some facts controversial phone call.
That didn’t dampen the Argentine’s sense of happiness.
“There’s all this talk about it being fixed and FIFA being involved, but have they even looked into what’s going on on the field? How much have we suffered?” asked Jorge Luis Lema, who watched the game from a downtown bar. There was a somber atmosphere in the crowd until the 85th minute, but Enzo Fernandes’ unstoppable goal unleashed pure elation.
“It’s a lie. Soccer is soccer,” Lema said of the online hatred. “Whoever wins wins. And Argentina won again.”
Shadows of long-ago wars and deep-rooted conflicts
The war over the Falkland Islands, which killed 649 Argentines, many of them young conscripts who were more poorly supplied and underarmed than the British army, remains one of the South American nation’s darkest chapters.
Also, one of the greatest players in history, Diego MaradonaHe led Argentina to victory over England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup. The infamous “Hand of God” goal — the memory of which still makes many British fans wince — and is known as the 58-metre solo sprint “Goal of the century”.
One of a prominent group of Argentine veterans seeking to calm tensions ahead of Wednesday’s match said Maradona’s goal had “already taken revenge on us”, adding: “We have no sports scores left to settle with England.”
But in his first, and likely last, match against England, the 39-year-old Messi made his mark, once again living up to Maradona’s exploits and his country’s oppressive expectations. After the match, Argentina’s players held up a large banner that read “Argentina, Son of Las Malvinas,” meaning the Falkland Islands are Argentina.
“When you see Messi playing football like this at his age, you’re speechless,” said Matthias Adorno, 28, one of countless cheering spectators wearing jerseys with Messi and the number 10 printed on them. “As an Argentine, we always put a lot of pressure on him. But he gave us absolutely everything.”
“For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last competition” echoed throughout the 9th of July Avenue in the center of the capital. The crowd also jumped up and down to another popular chant dating back decades: “El que no salta es un ingles,” or “He who doesn’t jump is British.”
The celebration provided a rare catharsis for many Argentines who were polarized in their positions. Radical Liberal President Javier Millay and I’m used to it economic crisis cyclesaid it was desperately needed.
“It’s pure joy,” said Yanina Quinteros, 40, as she celebrated with her 6-year-old daughter on her shoulders. “Life is so expensive, especially considering the really bad movement we’re going through right now, and because of this president who is dividing us.” I covered my ears with my hands as I heard the sound of firecrackers exploding. “All of us, grandparents, children, mothers and fathers, are all here to celebrate tonight.”
President Millais said he shared his joy.
“They won a very important game, even from an emotional point of view,” Millais told the radio station after the match. “It is an immense joy and an overwhelming feeling that cannot be described in words.”
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Associated Press writer Clara Plebe contributed to this report.
