Thousands of Argentines flocked to around Buenos Aires' Obelisk on Sunday to cheer the national team despite its World Cup final defeat to Spain, applauding the Albiceleste's impressive campaign and delivering a simple message: "Gracias iguales."
Fans clung to hopes of another dramatic comeback until the final whistle, but after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory, the mood quickly shifted from dejection to appreciation after what supporters described as another unforgettable tournament.
At the Obelisk, the traditional focal point for celebrations in the capital, the crowd that had gathered hours before kick-off initially stood in stunned silence before breaking into songs in tribute to the team.
"We reached the final, and that's no small achievement," said 20-year-old student Luciano Ortega with a smile.
As the evening wore on, more supporters filled the square and the atmosphere began to resemble a celebration. Chants echoed around the plaza, accompanied by drums, car horns, fireworks and firecrackers despite the defeat.
President Javier Milei struck a similar tone, writing on X: "Thank you very much, players! You fought until the very end. Argentina always at the top."
Elsewhere in Buenos Aires, the streets were largely deserted, though with celebrations at major junctions.
Marco Moya, a 37-year-old motorcycle courier who had watched the match with his family on a giant screen outside a restaurant, repeated through tearful eyes: "Thanks anyway. Thank you, Argentina."
In a café in the Caballito neighbourhood, south of the city centre, patrons sat in silence after the final whistle, their eyes fixed on the television as they struggled to accept that this time the celebrations belonged to Spain.
England win still resonates
Argentina reached the final after a series of dramatic comeback victories, including a last-gasp win over England in the semi-finals. For many supporters, that result carried particular significance because of the sovereignty dispute with Britain over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands and memories of Diego Maradona's famous performance against England at the 1986 World Cup.
"A lot of people were already satisfied with beating England and, despite losing to Spain, we beat everyone else. In a way, it can still be considered a victory because Argentina proved again it belongs among the world's best," Ortega said, his face still painted in Argentina's sky blue and white colours.
Within minutes of the final whistle, a meme began circulating online showing Argentina's three World Cup triumphs in 1978, 1986 and 2022, followed by the outline of the Malvinas Islands and the date July 15, 2026, commemorating the victory over England.
In the Palermo neighbourhood, where thousands watched the match on a giant screen, the final whistle was met with sustained applause and chants of "Argentina, Argentina."
"I'm sad, but I still want to thank the team, especially Lionel Messi, because he gave everything for us," said 22-year-old student Nahuel Tudela.
'They gave everything'
In Rosario, Messi's hometown around 300 kilometres northwest of Buenos Aires, hundreds gathered at the Monumento Nacional a la Bandera to thank the team for reaching the final.
The monument, illuminated in Argentina's national colours, was surrounded by fans waving flags, wearing team shirts and holding photographs of the captain as fireworks lit up the night sky.
"We've already won a World Cup. We shouldn't just cry, we should celebrate. Messi already took us to the top of the world," Sergio Irrazábal, who attended with his family wearing a light-blue-and-white wig, told AFP.
A presidential spokesperson said the Argentina squad's flight is scheduled to arrive in Buenos Aires at 5pm local time (2000 GMT) on Monday.
Despite the defeat, many supporters vowed to return to the streets to welcome the team home.
"They gave everything until the very end. They fought until the last second, so of course we're going to be there to welcome them. It's still football. We're not going to turn our backs on them," Ortega said.
Milei also announced that whichever day the players and coaching staff choose to celebrate the runners-up finish with supporters will be declared a national holiday.
In the working-class Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Barracas, around 30 friends who had watched every Argentina match together around a traditional asado barbecue gathered once again under a makeshift shelter against the cold and rain.
There were tears and frustration after the defeat, but when television cameras focused on Messi, everyone applauded and several shouted: "Thank you, Leo!"
– TIMES/AFP
Comments