Argentines pour into capital city streets to salute their team despite World Cup Final heartbreak

Thousands of Argentines gathered around Buenos Aires' iconic Obelisk on Sunday to honor their national team, even after a heartbreaking 1–0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The crowd's message was clear and heartfelt: "Thank you all the same."

For much of the match, fans clung to the hope of yet another dramatic comeback—a hallmark of Argentina's tournament run. But when the final whistle blew, disappointment quickly gave way to gratitude. Supporters described this campaign as one for the ages, and they were determined to show their appreciation.

At the Obelisk, the capital's traditional hub for mass celebrations, the thousands who had assembled hours before kickoff initially stood in stunned silence. Soon, however, that silence broke into songs praising the team's efforts.

"We reached the final—that's no small feat," said Luciano Ortega, a 20-year-old student, with a proud smile.

As night fell, more fans flooded the square, and the mood turned festive. Drums, car horns, fireworks, and firecrackers filled the air, and chants echoed across the plaza as if Argentina had won.

President Javier Milei echoed the sentiment on X, writing: "Thank you very much, players! You fought until the very end. Argentina always stands at the top."

Elsewhere in Buenos Aires, streets were mostly quiet, though major intersections hosted lively gatherings.

Marco Moya, a 37-year-old motorcycle courier who watched the match with his family on an outdoor giant screen, struggled to hold back tears as he repeated: "Thanks anyway. Thank you, Argentina."

In a café in the Caballito neighborhood, south of the city center, patrons sat in silence after the final whistle, eyes glued to the television, finding it hard to accept that this time, the celebrations belonged to Spain.

The England Victory Still Resonates

Argentina's path to the final had been marked by thrilling comebacks, including a last-gasp semifinal win over England. For many fans, that victory carried deep emotional weight—not only because of the longstanding sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, but also as a nod to Diego Maradona's legendary performance against England in 1986.

"A lot of us were already satisfied just by beating England," Ortega said, his face still painted in Argentina's sky-blue and white. "Even though we lost to Spain, we beat everyone else. In a way, this can still be considered a victory, because Argentina proved once again that we belong among the world's best."

Within minutes of the final whistle, a meme went viral online: it showed Argentina's three World Cup titles—1978, 1986, and 2022—followed by an outline of the Malvinas Islands and the date July 15, 2026, commemorating the semifinal triumph over England.

In the Palermo neighborhood, where thousands watched on another giant screen, the final whistle was met with sustained applause and chants of "Argentina, Argentina."

Nahuel Tudela, a 22-year-old student, summed up the feelings of many: "I'm sad, but I still want to thank the team—especially Lionel Messi—because he gave everything for us."

They Gave Everything'

In Rosario, Messi's hometown some 300 kilometres northwest of Buenos Aires, hundreds of supporters gathered at the National Flag Monument to express their gratitude for the team's run to the final. The monument, bathed in Argentina's sky-blue-and-white lights, served as a backdrop for fans waving flags, donning jerseys, and hoisting portraits of their captain, while fireworks streaked across the night sky.

"We've already won a World Cup. This isn't a time for tears—it's a time to celebrate. Messi already took us to the top of the world," said Sergio Irrazábal, who arrived with his family wearing a light-blue-and-white wig, speaking to AFP.

A presidential spokesperson confirmed that the Argentina squad's flight is scheduled to touch down in Buenos Aires at 5:00 PM local time (8:00 PM GMT) on Monday. Despite the loss, many fans pledged to return to the streets to give the team a hero's welcome.

"They gave everything until the very end. They fought until the last second, so of course we'll be there to greet them. This is still football—we're not going to turn our backs on them," Ortega said.

President Milei also announced that whichever day the players and coaching staff choose to celebrate their runners-up finish with the public will be declared a national holiday.

In the working-class Buenos Aires neighbourhood of Barracas, a group of about 30 friends who had watched every Argentina match together around a traditional asado barbecue gathered once more under a makeshift shelter, braving the cold and rain. Tears and frustration followed the final whistle, but when the television cameras zoomed in on Messi, everyone broke into applause and several shouted in unison: "Thank you, Leo!"  (Source: Buenos Aires Times)