Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The spell that had carried Argentina to the World Cup final, through immense suffering and unexpected triumphs, was broken on Sunday night. In Buenos Aires, fans moved toward the Obelisco—the traditional centre for victory celebrations—bearing flags through a cold, rainy night in what felt like a funeral procession for the dream of defending their country's 2022 title. At the Cafe Relax bar in the historic centre of the capital, fans with tears in their eyes after the final whistle said that what saddened them most was that it was almost certainly 39-year-old Lionel Messi's last shot at a World Cup.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute. The European champions dominated the contest, finishing with 20 shots to Argentina's two, and completed 738 of their 817 passes while Argentina managed just 34 per cent possession. Enzo Fernandez was sent off in stoppage time at the end of normal time, reducing Argentina to 10 men for the extra-time period.
"I feel empty. Empty because of Messi, because I won't see him in a World Cup again. This is the last one," said Camilo Cichero, a 22-year-old architecture student who was comforting his crying friend at Cafe Relax. His companion, Juan Saenz, 22, a law student, added: "This was the last of Messi... it was the very end, and it finished this way. I was born while Messi was playing, and this was the end of that era".
In the city centre, Argentines still lit the fireworks and coloured smoke bombs they had bought for the game and blared their plastic horns in what now sounded like sombre laments. Thousands of fans in Buenos Aires had Messi's number—10—on their T-shirts. Some had his face tattooed on biceps, and all had his name on the tip of their tongues. In Rosario, the city where Messi was born, a gigantic jersey bearing his name was hoisted on Saturday.
"I cried so much, I fainted, I fell like the last soldier in Troy," said Martí Pereira, a 24-year-old student, as he walked near the Obelisco with a friend, both draped in the Argentine flag like a cape. Mafalda Moreno, 36, stood at the back of a bar, sobbing. "It was the last tango of the best in the world, but it didn't turn out the way we wanted," she said.
Messi, who had eight goals and four assists in the tournament, was visibly emotional after the final whistle and struggled to hold back tears as he watched his teammates collect their runners-up medals. He conceded that Spain were deserved victors. "They were better, to be honest. We lost the game, and we accept that. That doesn't mean that we will forget everything we've done so far," Messi said. "I feel sad, but I am aware that we played our hearts out". The 39-year-old, who has not officially confirmed his retirement from international football, had left hints. On Saturday, he published a photo of himself in his special-edition Adidas sneakers called "The Last Tango".
Despite the crushing defeat, the Argentine party did not fully die. Thousands of fans still made their way to the iconic Obelisco, the traditional place for football celebrations. Initially crestfallen, they soon began partying again. Decenas de miles de argentinos salieron a las calles de distintos puntos del país para agradecer a su seleccionado por su desempeño en el Mundial 2026. At the Obelisco, the atmosphere was festive rather than sombre, with fans singing songs in support of the team, including the anthem 'Muchachos' and 'La Cuarta Estrella'.
"I'm very happy and very proud of my country because even though we lost and we're out of the final, we still celebrate, we celebrate like a victory," said Uriel Vignoles, one of the fans who gathered at the Obelisco. "If we were different kinds of people, we would be sitting on the pavement crying, making a mess, but we're making a mess of joy because we value the effort of every player and that we were able to reach the final, and that's what makes us most proud".
The defeat did not diminish the Argentine devotion to their team. "At least we got to the final—the English did not even get here," said Jennifer Guaráz, 27, as she drank Fernet and Coca-Cola in front of the Obelisco. Franco Cruz, 24, a student, agreed: "I think the game with England was much more important. That is what matters". Cristian Maidana, 42, a fan, said: "I'll love them until death".
President Javier Milei wrote on X: "Thank you so much, players!!! You fought until the very end. Argentina will always stand tall". Argentina prepared to welcome the return home of their team, affectionately nicknamed La Scaloneta after its coach, Lionel Scaloni.
Now, the overwhelming, absolute love for Messi has begun to turn to nostalgia. This was widely viewed as his last World Cup, and while the star has not officially confirmed that he will leave, one fan captured the sentiment of a nation: "I would have loved the fourth star for Messi. He deserved it".
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