With the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders, Argentina secured their third World Cup triumph with a penalty shootout victory over France.
For the country, it signalled an end to their 36-year wait for World Cup silverware.
But Lionel Messi, it meant he registered himself as perhaps the greatest player of all-time – somewhat ending the age-old Messi-Ronaldo debate.
Advert
Thousands of fans poured into the streets of Buenos Aires to watch Lionel Messi and Co battle it out with Kylian Mbappe and France for World Cup glory.
It was a nail-biting fixture that saw Les Blues claw back from two goals down to take the game to extra time.
Advert
After an additional 30 minutes that saw goals from both Messi and Mbappe, the game went to a penalty shootout.
And while the 88,000 fans packed inside of Lusail Stadium were on the edge of the seats, it was the millions back home in the South American country that couldn’t bear to watch.
Advert
But as Emi Martinez pulled out the goalkeeping heroics and Gonzalo Montiel slotted home the deciding penalty, celebrations well and truly erupted.
Images and videos circulating online show hoards of supporters donning blue and white stripes jumping for joy on the streets near The Obelisk, the chaotic scenes resembling a giant street party.
In one video posted on social media, a drone flies across the sea of people, some nutty fans seen swinging off traffic lights.
Advert
In another clip, supporters celebrated in Messi's hometown of Rosario by jumping on top of buses and chanting his name.
As for Messi himself, various videos have emerged from inside the Argentina dressing room, showing the football megastar singing and dancing while holding the golden trophy-in-hand.
With the game concluding at about 3pm local time, the Argentinian fans had the whole night to revel in the World Cup glory.
Can’t imagine many people will be turning up to work tomorrow.
Nicolas Piry, a 46-year-old Argentine told Reuters: “It is an immense joy after so much tension.
Advert
“The harmony between the team, headed by a leader who plays at a level making him the best in the world, and the players’ condition in general led us to this well-deserved success.”
It seems as though the majority of supporters of the world champions were more delighted for Lionel Messi's success than they were for their own victory.
Football fans online were simply astonished at the scenes playing out in the South American country.
One fan wrote: “Might be one of the craziest shots I’ve ever seen. Insane.”
Another said: “Sports have an amazing power to bring people together like nothing else.”
A third tweeted: “How much a World Cup means to the country. Amazing scenes at Buenos Aires!”
Can’t imagine that party is going to end any time soon.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter.Topics: Football, Argentina, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi
