Argentines let loose on Sunday and streets around the world became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the national team beat France on penalties.
It was the country’s third World Cup title, and the first since 1986.
There were, of course, massive celebrations in Buenos Aires.
“I’m very happy, we really deserved this. The team suffered quite a bit, but it recovered as time went on,” said Josefina Villalba, a 55-year-old nanny who joined hundreds of fans at one of the many public plazas in Argentina’s capital where giant screens were set up to watch the long-awaited match.
The celebrations reached Utah, too. Outside the Capitol building in Salt Lake City, hundreds of fans braved the cold weather to celebrate the World Cup title, the country’s first since 1986 and third overall.
Millions of Argentines around the world cried, yelled and hugged as they followed the game, which was a roller coaster of emotions.
At the end of the first half, Argentina led 2-0 and clearly dominated the match. But early happiness turned to anxiety as France caught up, ultimately leaving the score at 3-3 before Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties.
