Over 1 million Argentine fans celebrate World Cup win over England, disrupting England rugby team's hotel stay

Hupu Football News – July 17th

A Telegraph reporter witnessed approximately one million Argentinians taking to the streets to celebrate their team's World Cup semi-final victory, describing the scene as an eye-opening experience.

Massive Crowds Gather at the Obelisk

Less than an hour after the final whistle on Wednesday night, over one million people gathered near the Obelisk in downtown Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina's victory over England in the World Cup semi-final.

The crowd poured in from all directions of the Argentine capital. Among them:

• Some blew vuvuzelas
• Others waved flags
• A few held banners claiming sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands
• Almost everyone wore Argentina's blue-and-white striped jerseys, with Lionel Messi's name and number 10 on the back

The July 9th Avenue, where the Obelisk stands, is approximately 460 feet wide and is known as the widest street in the world. Its name commemorates Argentina's declaration of independence on July 9, 1816. No one wanted to go home; the night had just begun.

A Dramatic Comeback

Over one million people took to the streets to celebrate Argentina reaching the World Cup final for the second consecutive time.

Thomas Tuchel's team was still leading with five minutes left, but that was quickly forgotten. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored consecutive goals in a stunning seven-minute span, not only turning the semi-final around but also completely changing the mood of the entire nation.

At the Sebel Square fan festival in the wealthy Palermo district, next to the U.S. Embassy, the crowd erupted in cheers when Elliott Anderson received a yellow card. Perhaps it was because England received the first yellow card of the match before Argentina. As for fouls by Argentine players, almost no one in the crowd seemed to care.

When Anthony Gordon scored, the crowd naturally fell silent. But by the 92nd minute, the entire city erupted in a collective frenzy the reporter described as unprecedented—an outpouring of shared joy, national pride, and vibrant celebration.

Celebrations and Traditions

Four years ago, when Argentina won its third World Cup, reportedly up to 7 million people flooded the capital's streets. A local told the reporter that smashing the McDonald's near the Obelisk has become something of a "tradition" during such moments. This time, the restaurant boarded up its windows in advance, just in case.

Meanwhile, some fans:

• Paraded a St. George's flag cut into the shape of a coffin
• Set fire to a makeshift English flag

Unintended Consequences for England's Rugby Team

What Argentine fans probably do not know is that while they celebrated another World Cup final appearance along this famous avenue—and another victory over the "predatory" English, as they call them—they may have inadvertently dashed the hopes of the English rugby team, who were set to play Argentina on Saturday in the northern city of Santiago del Estero.

Just a few hundred meters from the Obelisk is the Marriott Hotel. Steve Borthwick's English rugby team has been staying there this week, preparing for the final match of the summer international series.

Local residents likely neither know nor care that another test match between the two nations is about to take place. But the all-night celebration outside the Marriott will undoubtedly affect the sleep of Borthwick's players.

The team adjusted their training schedule on Wednesday to allow players to return to the hotel conference room in time to watch the match. By the end of the night, players like Henry Pollock, Freddie Steward, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, and Charlie Ewels had posted videos of the celebrations outside their rooms on Instagram.

It was not a prank triggering the fire alarm; it was a massive public influx. It is hard to imagine what scenes would unfold if Argentina defeats Spain in the final on Sunday to win the World Cup for the fourth time.

A Night of Unforgettable Scenes

When the reporter left the fan festival, it was impossible to hail a taxi or take the subway. Shortly after the final whistle, Argentine fans began singing the tournament's anthem, "Muchachos." Below the big screen at the Palermo fan festival, the host took the stage and repeatedly shouted into the microphone:

"For Messi! For the Malvinas Islands!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. Then, fans continued to sing loudly:

"Those who don't jump are English."

The celebration in Buenos Aires lasted late into the night.

The journey back to the city center felt surreal. Fans on the streets would suddenly gather at fast-food restaurants, jumping and cheering, signaling to passing cars, whose drivers honked in response.

When the reporter finally found an entrance to the subway station, the station manager opened the gates directly. When the train arrived, even the driver joined the celebration, honking at every stop.

As hundreds of thousands gathered in the city center, a motorcyclist rode past the crowd with a flag attached to the back reading "Malvinas libres," meaning "Free Malvinas Islands."

This also reflects the regrettable political baggage forcibly attached to this match. For all those present, including the English rugby players, this could have been just a cherished sports and cultural event.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

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