Argentinians celebrate spectacular World Cup victory

Dilan Sirwan and Roj Eli Zalla

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Millions of emotional football fans poured into the streets of Buenos Aires on Sunday, as the Argentinian team relieved the nation of their 36-year-long wait to win the world cup in a historic final against reigning champions France.

Football fans across the world were on their toes on Tuesday evening as reigning world champions France faced Argentina for the world cup final in the Qatari capital Doha.

Argentina took the lead in the first half of the match with a penalty from the country’s national hero Lionel Messi, and a spectacular finish from the Argentinian man of the finals, Angel Di Maria.

But France were not to let the South American champions get away with an easy one, equalising in the last minutes of the second half with two goals from the French golden boy, Kylian Mbappe.

Teammates at Paris Saint-Germain, both Messi and Mbappe put in an extra goal for their national teams in extra time, leading perhaps the most intense world cup final to date, into penalty shootouts. 

Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty goal, giving his national team a 4-2 victory in the shoot-out.

 

"It was amazing. I feel thrilled. Look, what an excitement here. This is something we have been dreaming of since 1986 when we won the last world cup. It is time to party at this festival," Daniel Fossey, an Argentine celebrating their national team’s win told Rudaw in Buenos Aires.

Argentina’s last world cup victory was in 1986, then led by the late Diego Maradona. The nation had been longing for another gold star on their kits for 36 years.

"Absolutely spectacular. I never thought I would have a day like that in my life. But look, here we are. I will celebrate it the whole day. I will celebrate it tomorrow as well," Mina Lopez, another fan, said.

The capital city's streets were decorated with the blue and white flag with Messi's No.10 jersey everywhere and on everyone.

The Argentinian star, now 35 and approaching retirement, was perhaps destined to lift the world cup for his long deprived nation. Messi also won the award for the tournament’s best player, adding that and the golden cup to his long list of achievements as a legendary football player.