Exclusive: World Cup celebrations in the streets of Buenos Aires

Argentine fullback Gonzalo Montiel heads for the penalty spot. After a heart-stopping 120 minutes, France and Argentina drew 3-3 and the Qatar 2022 World Cup champion will be decided by penalty kicks. The Gauls have already missed two, while the Albiceleste has scored three. If the defender converts, the South American country gets the glory. The Sevilla player takes a deep breath, starts to run toward the ball, and smashes it with his right foot, crossing to his left. Hugo Lloris, the French goalkeeper, dives the other way. Goal. Argentina are the world champions for the third time in their history.

From that exact moment on, more than 45 million Argentines were united in a single cheer. A single clenched fist of victory. After 36 years, the Albiceleste once again reached the top of the soccer world. Automatically, the streets all over the country were dyed light blue and white with flags, pennants, T-shirts, caps being displayed proudly. Parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Without distinction, the people took to the streets.

According to Clarín newspaper, in the city of Buenos Aires more than 1,000,000 people gathered at the mall. Especially around the Obelisk, the symbol of the Argentine capital, which has been the scene of all the sporting celebrations for some time now. There were also important celebrations in Córdoba, Mendoza, Tucumán and Mar del Plata.

It was known in advance that public transport would not support such a volume at the same time, so many fans chose to walk from even remote neighborhoods to the center. The main avenues of the South American capital (for example, Santa Fe, Libertador and Corrientes) were inundated by fans, effectively turning them into pedestrian streets.

Waiting for Messi

The blue and white colors could be seen at every moment, in every corner. Even the Colón Theater, the main stage for classical music in Argentina, sported a giant Argentine T-shirt alluding to the recent championship. A projection of Lionel Messi and the rest of the champions celebrating with the cup could also be seen at the Obelisk.

The Argentine team will arrive in Buenos Aires on Monday 19, where they will share and celebrate the long-awaited achievement with the people. In the morning, a large number of fans will meet the players at the Ministro Pistarini International Airport, and then the group is expected to head to the Casa Rosada, the country's governmental headquarters.