Police deploy tear gasoline after glass bottles hurled at cops in Buenos Aires World Cup riot
A peaceful evening in the Argentine capital descended into chaos just before midnight local time, after their World Cup heroes lost in poor fasion in the final to Spain
Riots broke out in Buenoes Aires after the loss(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Police sprayed tear gas and used a water cannon to calm riots in Buenos Aires following Argentina’s World Cup final loss.
Thousands gathered in the streets of the Argentinian capital to watch the final, hoping to see Lionel Messi and co retain the World Cup trophy, but were bitterly disappointed as Enzo Fernandez to give Spain the advantage. Ferran Torres took the initiative with a goal in extra time to hand Spain a 1-0 win.
The New Jersey spectacle became a debacle at full-time, with clashes breaking out between the players. Argentina’s Leandro Parades was sent off after the final whistle for shoving and lashing out at Eric Garcia of Spain.
A police officer appeared to kick a fan in the riot(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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It had largely been a peaceful affair in Buenos Aires, a city of 3 million people, until riots broke out between police and fans at around 11.45pm local time, reports Argentine newspaper Infobae.
Clashes were seen around the Obelisk, a national monument where important occasions play out, when a group of supporters attempted to breach fencing designed to protect it.
Chaos then reigned for 20 minutes as a “large group” of fans then started hurling glass bottles and other projectiles at the police. Cops responded with tear gas and a water cannon to disperse irate crowds nearby, the outlet added.
It all kicked off
“At least” 15 people have been detained by police, Infobae said, with several hurt in the riot. The condition of the injured remains unknown.
Images of the city published worldwide show debris littering the capital’s streets, with one photograph appearing to show a police officer kicking a supporter on the ground.
Despite the loss, Argentinians will enjoy a national holiday. President Javier Milei announced the move hours after Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy — but said the date of the celebration will be decided by the players and coaches.
An English translation of Milei’s post in X in Spanish said: “WORLD CELEBRATION.
Arrests were made
“Given the concern about the celebrations for the achievement reached by the Argentine National Team, I inform the population that, depending on what the players and the technical staff decide regarding the day to celebrate, it will be declared a national holiday.”
Argentinians enjoyed a bank holiday after winning the 2022 World Cup.
It occurred on the Tuesday after the final, when players returned to Buenos Aires for a parade. Those celebrations centred around the Obelisk.
