Urheilu was there in Argentina, when the football craze reached the roof in Buenos Aires after the country defeated Poland 2–0 in the last match of the first group.
15:21•Updated 15:28
BUENOS AIRES. Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, erupted into a festive mood on Wednesday as Argentina cleared its way to the playoffs of the World Cup. In the decisive first group game, Poland fell 2–0.
After last year’s Copa America victory, the Argentinians started the bench sports season confident of victory. The surprise loss to Saudi Arabia in the opening match shocked and even angered many, and the success against Poland was followed in a tense atmosphere.
Urheilu followed the game in a football bar in Buenos Aires. Exciting Wednesday started with Argentina’s national anthem, which people sang together before the game.
– Before the game, I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I thought that now the team will be allowed to win or not have to come back home, watched the game Daira Perez told .
The critical match brought many to the television in the middle of the working day. One of them is from Buenos Aires Ayelen Marrero with colleagues.
– I believe that Argentina will win the championship if they reach the playoffs, Marrero said at halftime.
In the opening period, the star player tightened his expression Lionel Messi’s missed penalty kick.
Right after halftime, however, Argentina started to make their way towards the next place with their first goal, which they finished off Alexis McAllister.
The final readings shot Julian Alvarez.
After the match, the atmosphere in the dome was lighter and sometimes rowdy.
– Poland didn’t keep the ball in the jumps and Argentina attacked to go. We got yet another goal, what luck. From now on, Argentina will play even better, Marrero commented after the game.
All eyes turn to Messi
This year, the World Cup has a special meaning for Argentina. The captain of the national team, Messi, 35, is now very likely to participate in the World Cup tournament for the last time. So Messi has the last chance to reach the world championship.
It’s been a long time since Argentina’s last World Cup in 1986. Many people bitterly remember the country’s recent success in the prestigious competition – in 2014 in Brazil, the country lost the final to Germany, and in 2018 in Russia, Argentina fell to the future champion France in the quarter-finals.
– We deserve the victory after all the suffering, says Daira Perez.
Wednesday’s match put Argentina’s competition back on track, the Buenos Aires native Daniel Cottiz your sum after the game.
– Argentina played their best game so far during this World Cup. The country restored its identity and played decent football, Cottiz commented wearing a t-shirt decorated by the late football legend Diego Maradona.
– However, winning the championship is very difficult. It only takes one bad day to lose a place in the finals, Cottiz continues.
Smoke in the ceiling
Walking through Buenos Aires, you wouldn’t necessarily believe that the world championships are held on the other side of the globe in Qatar. Football can be seen everywhere – on store shelves, in people’s clothing and in street art. The city has organized (you will switch to another service) to various side programs.
The public grandstand set up on Seeber Square in Buenos Aires collected a crowd on Wednesday 20,000 viewers (you switch to another service).
Unlike, for example, in Europe, in Argentina there has been little talk of Qatar’s human rights violations or the Fifa boycott.
According to Daniel Cottiz, football brings people joy in the midst of difficulties. Inflation also plagues the everyday lives of Argentines.