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Rediff.com  » Sports » World Cup final: Riots add to gloom in grief-stricken Argentina
This article was first published 10 years ago

World Cup final: Riots add to gloom in grief-stricken Argentina

July 14, 2014 11:02 IST

Image: A TV grab of the riots in downtown Buenos Aires near the famous monument Obelisk after Argentina's loss to Germany in the World Cup final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday
Photographs: CBS Newspath/Twitter via APTN

Argentine riot police fired tear gas and water cannon on Sunday to break up dozens of rock-hurling youths in central Buenos Aires after the nation's hopes of a first World Cup win in 28 years were dashed by Germany in the final.

Parents clutching their children ran away from the iconic Obelisk monument where tens of thousands of people had gathered, as the rowdy youths taunted police officers and tried to kick down the metal grills on some shop fronts, television pictures showed.

At least 15 police officers were wounded and more than 50 people detained in the unrest that followed the 1-0 defeat, local media reported.

Germany forward Mario Goetze's volley in extra-time stunned local fans into silence and after the final minutes ticked down, millions of disconsolate Argentines were left to contemplate a defeat that deprived them of a first World Cup win since 1986.

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I'm full of grief, it's hard to explain'

Image: Argentine fans walk past a garbage container in flames during clashes with the police at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires following the World Cup final on Sunday
Photographs: Getty Images

"It's another slap in the face. There is no more joy, but we came out second and were not shamed in Brazil," said 40-year-old Eduardo Manfredi.

The hopes of 40 million people had been heaped on the shoulders of the national side -- in particular Lionel Messi, who picked up the 'Golden Ball' as top player of the tournament, and in-form goal keeper Sergio Romero.

Hours before the game started, fans in the soccer-obsessed capital streamed along the city's boulevards blowing vuvuzela horns and banging drums, while some even dressed up their pampered pooches in soccer strips tailor-made for dogs.

The run to the 2014 final handed Argentines welcome respite from newspaper headlines dominated in recent weeks by a brewing debt crisis, surging inflation and political scandal.

"I'm full of grief, it's hard to explain," lamented 56-year-old carpenter Luis Lanzzoni.

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'We are gutted'

Image: Argentina's fans set fire to a Brazil soccer jersey as they gather around the Obelisk on Sunday
Photographs: Martin Acosta/Reuters

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano said he shared the nation's pain.

"We are gutted," he said.

"We gave what we could and we are sorry for the people who came and for the people in Argentina."

The violence in downtown Buenos Aires soured what had been a festive atmosphere.

Tens of thousands of supporters had earlier streamed to the Obelisk monument waving the national flag, determined to party in celebration of reaching the final on the turf of their arch-rivals, Brazil.

Fans climbed onto bus stops and scaled lamp posts as chants of "Argentina, Argentina" rang out, while fireworks exploded overhead.

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'I'm going to the airport to welcome them home and thank them for everything'

Image: Argentina's fans gather around the Obelisk after Argentina lost to Germany in their 2014 World Cup final on Sunday
Photographs: Ivan Alvarado/Reuters

In a country polarised by a decade of politics under the populist president Cristina Fernandez and her predecessor, Fernandez's late husband Nestor Kirchner, the national soccer team is a rare unifier.

"I feel proud to be Argentine. To wear this shirt on the day of a final is priceless," said university student Marcelo Dailoff.

"The players brought joy to Argentina after so long. Quite simply, thank you."

Fans took comfort from seeing their side avoid the same kind of humiliating score inflicted on hosts Brazil. Germany thumped seven goals past a hapless Brazilian team in their semi-final.

Messi and his team-mates were expected to arrive back in Buenos Aires on Monday.

"The players put everything into the game, their hearts and souls. They lost the best way possible, not like Brazil who were smashed to smithereens," said 32-year-old Lorena Hak.

"I'm going to the airport to welcome them home and thank them for everything, they deserve it."

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