More than a dozen individuals were taken into custody by law enforcement in Buenos Aires following disturbances that erupted after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final.
A large crowd gathered in the streets of the Argentinian capital to witness the final match, hoping for a victory for Lionel Messi and the team. However, their hopes were dashed when Enzo Fernandez received a red card, giving Spain an advantage. Ferran Torres seized the opportunity with a goal in extra time, securing a 1-0 victory for Spain.
The post-game atmosphere turned chaotic in New Jersey, as altercations broke out among the players. Leandro Parades of Argentina was ejected from the match after the final whistle for physical altercations with Eric Garcia of Spain.
Up until then, Buenos Aires, a city with a population of 3 million, had experienced a relatively peaceful event. However, disturbances between law enforcement and fans erupted around 11:45 pm, as reported by the Argentine newspaper Infobae.
Violent clashes occurred around the Obelisk, a significant national monument, when a group of fans attempted to breach protective barriers. Chaos ensued for about 20 minutes as a large group of fans began throwing glass bottles and other objects at the police. Law enforcement responded by deploying tear gas and a water cannon to disperse the agitated crowds nearby.
According to Infobae, at least 15 individuals were apprehended by the police, with several sustaining injuries during the unrest. The severity of the injuries is currently unknown.
Global images of the city depict debris strewn across the streets, with one photo showing a police officer seemingly kicking a person on the ground.
Despite the defeat, Argentinians will have a national holiday to commemorate the event. President Javier Milei announced the decision shortly after Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy, but the specific date for the celebration will be determined by the players and coaches.
As per Milei’s statement translated into English from Spanish, “WORLD CELEBRATION. Given the concerns regarding the celebrations for the achievements of the Argentine National Team, I hereby inform the public that a national holiday will be declared based on the decisions of the players and coaching staff regarding the celebration day.”
Argentinians celebrated a public holiday following their victory in the 2022 World Cup, which took place on the Tuesday after the final match when the players returned to Buenos Aires for a celebratory parade. The festivities were centered around the Obelisk.
