Nervous pleasure and rowdy cheers changed into anguished groans, nailbiting pressure and tears, as Argentines’ hope of yet one more epic comeback led by Lionel Messi within the World Cup fizzled out towards Spain.
On the Cafe Chill out bar within the historic centre of Buenos Aires, followers with tears of their eyes after the ultimate whistle blew on the 1-0 defeat stated that what saddened them most was that it was virtually definitely 39-year-old Messi’s final shot at a World Cup.
“I really feel empty. Empty due to Messi, as a result of I will not see him in a World Cup once more. That is the final one,” stated Camilo Cichero, a 22-year-old structure pupil who was comforting his crying pal.
“It isn’t how we anticipated it to go. No less than it offers me peace of thoughts realizing he is already received the whole lot there was to win.”
Composing himself, his pal Juan Saenz, 22, a legislation pupil stated: “This was the final of Messi …it was the very finish, and it completed this manner.”
“I used to be born whereas Messi was taking part in, and this was the tip of that period.”
But it surely was not all tears.
Across the metropolis, fireworks went off, automotive horns honked, and hundreds of followers nonetheless made their strategy to the enduring Obelisk, the standard place for soccer celebrations.
Initially crestfallen, they quickly started partying once more to rejoice their workforce and lots of stated that regardless of the defeat, they’d take to the streets to welcome the workforce residence on Monday (July 20, 2026).
“Thanks a lot, gamers!!! You fought till the very finish. Argentina will at all times stand tall,” President Javier Milei wrote on X.
They gave it their all
After a scrappy World Cup run constructed on a collection of slender victories, Argentines had been assured they may pull off a second victory in a row within the closing in New Jersey.
Draped of their blue-and-white flag and donning the nationwide soccer jersey, they braved an icy chilly day to pack bars and public squares, fizzing with pleasure at the beginning of the sport.
In Cafe Chill out, which shows a flag saying it’s “forbidden to overlook” the Falkland Islands, which Argentina invaded in 1982 solely to be ejected by a British job power, nervous power and excited chants gave strategy to pressure by half-time.
Within the second half indignant shouts on the display screen had been interspersed with excited chants, and more and more foul language, whereas some sat arms folded, ft tapping and chewing their nails or burying their heads within the flag.
“Oh no, it will probably’t be, please, please!” wailed one lady when Enzo Fernandez was despatched off for 2 yellow playing cards.
Earlier than further time started, Teresa Dolores del Rio Varela, 87, complained that “it drags on and on, and also you begin to get nervous. I am completely satisfied, however I simply need it to finish as a result of it is getting lengthy.”
Joaquin Romero, 22, who works in gross sales stated the sport was “extremely sophisticated. I do not know the way it’ll occur, however it will occur for us. We’re Argentine. We’re champions and we’ll win.”
It was to not be.
A dramatic extra-time aim by Ferran Torres solid a pall of silence over the bar for the final agonizing minutes.
Cichero stated he was unhappy for Messi however dismayed on the sport.
“I did not like how Argentina performed. I did not like the sport plan, the substitutions, the gamers. I did not just like the referee.”
Abel Torres, a 62-year-old retiree carrying a blue-and-white jester hat and blowing a vuvuzela all through the sport, teared up as he described the “extremely emotional” sport.
“Argentina gave it their all. Immediately was a real instance of what Argentina is all about: that regardless of the arduous instances and the obstacles we face, we at all times rise once more.”
In Messi’s hometown Rosario, lots of gathered to rejoice the participant and his workforce with fireworks and chants.
“We have already received a cup. We won’t simply break down in tears — now we have to rejoice. Messi has already put us on the very high of the world,” Sergio Irrazabal informed AFP.
Revealed – July 20, 2026 12:49 pm IST
