Sports
Argentina Erupts in Joy After Epic 2022 World Cup Win
After an epic 2022 World Cup final in which Argentina beat France on penalties, Argentines let loose on Sunday, and streets across the country became places of celebration. It was the country’s third World Cup championship and the first since 1986.
“I’m overjoyed; we truly deserved it. “The team suffered a lot, but it recovered over time,” Josefina Villalba, a 55-year-old nanny, said as she joined hundreds of fans at one of the many public plazas where giant screens were set up to watch the long-awaited match.
Millions of Argentines cried, yelled, and hugged as they watched the game, which was an emotional rollercoaster.
Throughout the game, many spectators in Buenos Aires’ public square chanted the name of captain Lionel Messi, widely regarded as the world’s greatest soccer player who has long expressed his desire for a World Cup victory.
“I feel immense happiness in my heart because this is the first World Cup I truly enjoy,” Hector Quinteros, 34, a security guard, said, his eyes welling up with tears. “This happens all the time. They are always making us suffer.”
Thirty-Six-Year Wait for World Cup
Thirty-Six-Year Wait for World CupArgentina finally won a World Cup after 36 years, erasing years of doubts and questions about whether a country known for producing some of the world’s best soccer players could truly perform on an international stage. The country won its first championship in 1978 but fell short in the finals in 1930, 1990, and 2014.
Many were preparing to celebrate at the end of the first half, as Argentina led 2-0 and dominated the game.
However, as France caught up, the score was tied 3-3 before Argentina won on penalties 4-2.
The agony of the match made the victory all sweeter for many.
“When you suffer so much for something, the satisfaction is greater,” Fabio Villani, a 45-year-old video editor, said, adding that he still couldn’t believe Argentina had won the World Cup.
It also felt like Argentina, a country known for seemingly never-ending economic crises.
“Suffering is very Argentine,” Maria Isabel Ayala, a 53-year-old hairdresser, said. “If we suffer, it is because our hearts truly feel it.”
Gonzalo Nogueria, a 34-year-old photographer, said, “It’s a bit of a bummer that we had to spend so much time suffering, but it’s also our way of life a little,” adding, “in some ways, we’re used to it too.”
Many fans recalled Argentina legend Diego Maradona, who died two years ago, and claimed he had something to do with today’s victory.
“Diego sees everything from heaven; he wouldn’t have wanted Argentina to lose. We won the first cup without him! “Diego is always here. He’s eternal,” said 18-year-old Javier López, whose voice broke as he spoke of Maradona, who led Argentina to its last World Cup title in 1986.
“Diego is certainly smiling now,” Brazilian soccer legend Pelé said on social media, congratulating Argentina on their victory.
Messi United Argentines
The national team led by Messi has managed to unite Argentines with a sense of joy that is uncommon in a country that has been mired in economic stagnation for years, has one of the world’s highest inflation rates, and nearly four out of ten people live in poverty.
“We’re very happy that they gave us this triumph that the people needed beyond the socioeconomic problems that we’re having,” Gabriel Fernández, 42, said as he celebrated his victory in a Buenos Aires park with his family.
“We needed this for all the things that we’re going through economically, politically, and socially,” Alberto Czornenki, a 45-year-old retail worker, said as he joined the celebrations in Argentina’s capital’s public square.
“Our lives are full of suffering due to all that, that karma that we have, and this at least gives us some happiness. We’ll then wake up to reality and find ourselves in the same place, but with a different kind of enthusiasm.”
This squad, led by Lionel Scaloni, was also lauded by fans.
National Celebrations in Argentia
This team “transmits something very different from previous squads that did not feel pride for the national jersey, while these players give everything of themselves in each match,” according to Facundo Alonso, a 26-year-old retail worker.
President Alberto Fernández joined the celebrations and congratulated the national team on their win.
“I’d like to thank the players and the technical staff. They serve as a reminder to never give up. That we have wonderful people and a bright future,” Fernández said on social media.
Brazil’s president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said on social media that he was “pleased with our Argentine neighbors’ victory.”
Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who was rooting for the neighboring country during the game, also sent a “giant hug to our Argentine brothers.”
On a hot summer day, the Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires quickly filled with people as thousands descended to celebrate.
Shortly after the game, the subway became a party as fans packed the cars, singing, chanting, and jumping for joy as they made their way to the Obelisk to join the celebrations.
“Holding Leo Messi’s hand, we’re going all the way,” the crowd chanted as euphoria set in.
