Following Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final, a group of individuals in Buenos Aires was taken into custody by law enforcement as unrest erupted.
A large crowd had gathered in the streets of the Argentine capital to witness the championship match, anticipating a victory for Lionel Messi and his team. However, their hopes were dashed when Spain emerged victorious with a 1-0 score after Enzo Fernandez’s expulsion and Ferran Torres’ decisive goal in extra time.
Tensions escalated at the end of the game, leading to altercations between players. Following the match, Argentina’s Leandro Parades was red-carded for an incident involving Spain’s Eric Garcia.
Initially, the atmosphere in Buenos Aires was peaceful, with no disturbances reported among the city’s 3 million residents. However, chaos ensued later in the evening when clashes erupted between law enforcement and fans around 11:45 pm.
Violent incidents occurred near the Obelisk, a significant monument, as a group of supporters attempted to breach protective barriers. Subsequently, a large number of fans engaged in aggressive behavior, throwing objects at the police. Authorities responded by using tear gas and a water cannon to disperse the unruly crowds.
Reports from Argentine newspaper Infobae indicate that at least 15 individuals have been apprehended by the police, with several sustaining injuries during the unrest.
Images from various media sources depict the aftermath of the turmoil in the streets of Buenos Aires, including a photograph showing a police officer allegedly involved in a confrontation with a supporter.
Despite the defeat, Argentinians will observe a national holiday to commemorate the World Cup event. President Javier Milei announced the holiday shortly after the conclusion of the match, with the exact date of the celebration to be determined in consultation with the players and coaching staff.
In a statement shared in Spanish by Milei, it was mentioned that the national holiday would be declared based on the preferences of the team and coaching staff.
Following their victory in the 2022 World Cup, Argentinians observed a bank holiday on the Tuesday following the final, marked by celebratory events centered around the Obelisk upon the players’ return to Buenos Aires.