Buenos Aires Erupts After Victory Over England

Tens of thousands of football fans flooded the streets of the Argentinian capital following the national team's 2-1 victory over England, which secured the Gauchos' place in the World Cup final.

Some screamed, others cried, and the most passionate ran bare-chested through the pouring winter rain in Buenos Aires, their bodies painted blue and white. Young men and women climbed lampposts and traffic lights, waving Argentinian flags. Many sobbed, completely overcome by the moment.

The celebrations kicked off with Lautaro Martínez's winning goal in the 92nd minute. The reigning champions, Argentina, will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.

For many fans, the widespread joy was not so much about reaching the final or defending the title won four years ago in Qatar, but about defeating the nation's historic rival.

Wednesday's semi-final was another chapter in a long-standing feud that extends beyond the pitch, encompassing British control over the disputed Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas and considers its sovereign territory.

The Falklands War, in which 649 Argentinians died, remains one of the darkest chapters in the South American nation's history.

This conflict has held immense significance in Argentina's football culture ever since one of the greatest players in history, Diego Maradona, led the country to victory over England in a memorable 1986 World Cup quarter-final with his infamous "Hand of God" goal and his epic 58-meter solo run, dubbed the "Goal of the Century."

According to fans, the 39-year-old Messi, who for years played under the weight of Maradona's legacy before becoming a world champion in 2022, has once again met, and perhaps even surpassed, his country's immense expectations.

The crowds jumped to the rhythm of another classic chant dating back to the war: "El que no salta es un inglés," or "He who doesn't jump is an Englishman."