Gasps gave option to stony expressions of disbelief, after which tears, as Argentina followers gathered in Buenos Aires watched the humiliation of their soccer group unfold on the World Cup in Qatar. “It was a walloping, a bucket of ice-cold water,” Carlos Cuera, 26, stated of the 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia. He was nonetheless seated in entrance of a restaurant tv the place followers decked out of their group’s white-and-blue colours gathered from earlier than 7:00 am for the breakfast match within the Argentine capital. “Nobody expected this. We thought the first three matches would be easy victories, and now it has become more complicated,” he stated, including the loss had ramped up stress forward of Saturday’s duel with Mexico.

It was one of many biggest upsets in World Cup historical past for Lionel Messi‘s Argentina aspect, ending a profitable streak that included final yr’s Copa America championship. The proud, football-crazed nation entered the World Cup among the many favorites, eight years after they reached the ultimate.

But Buenos Aires shortly resumed its regular hustle and bustle as desolate followers headed to their places of work. In central Corrientes Street, not removed from the town’s towering Obelisk, one cafe had arrange a display screen on the sidewalk, prompting deliverymen, taxis, and even bus drivers to gradual as they handed — hoping for an additional objective.

Pilates teacher Lena Widgren, 50, stated she had heard it will be “an easy game.” But she had seen that at any time when Argentina is confronted with a tie or a loss in a World Cup match, “their energy levels drop a bit, they lack fire.”

The day began higher than it ended. Fans leaped from their chairs, screaming with pleasure, when Messi scored from the penalty spot within the tenth minute. “I feel very sad, really. The game started with such euphoria, with so much desire to win, and suddenly the game turned around,” stated Llanca Salvi, a 26-year-old plastic artist, who added that she didn’t know a lot about soccer.

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But it was about “the emotion of being Argentine, of going out to celebrate”.

Second half of ‘terror’

Fans joined in with a cascade of insults when three first-half targets had been canceled for being offside, with VAR concerned. Norberto Protzmann instructed AFP he sat in “terror” throughout the second half.

“We underestimated them a little too much and they dominated us in the second half,” he stated.

“The players were too confident, whereas the rival team put their lives into each move, because they knew they were facing a great team. And it worked well for them.”

Gustavo Leal, 75, complained about using VAR, saying, “football with technology is no longer football”.

“This World Cup wants (Diego) Maradona,” he stated, referring to the Argentine nice who died in 2020.

But he remained optimistic. “The first match is as hard as the last. I trust him,” he stated of coach Lionel Scaloni, including he was a “measured guy who knows how to lead the team”.

Now, all eyes are on Saturday’s sport in opposition to Mexico, to see whether or not the group can flip their fortunes round.

“Mexico is a very difficult team and it has always been difficult for Argentina,” stated Protzmann. “If we don’t put our lives into each play, we won’t win, especially against Mexico.”

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