Page 5 - Argentina

Argentina govt defends chaotic parade to welcome team post FIFA WC win

Argentina's government has defended the mammoth parade held to welcome home the World Cup winners even though the event was abruptly cut short amid organisational chaos. After days of high-profile activity, team captain Lionel Messi and most of the other members of the national soccer squad were largely staying out of sight and spending time with family and friends. There had been speculation that Rosario, Argentina's third-largest city, would put on its own celebration for hometown hero Messi. But after Tuesday's chaos in Buenos Aires, where millions swamped the streets eager to get a glimpse of the winning team, officials were emphasising that the players preferred to rest. In talking about the early end to Tuesday's parade, Security Minister Anbal Fernndez said on Wednesday: The objective was to protect the players not because they were going to be harmed, but rather because anything could help when so many people were trying to get close to them." The World Cup and the success

Will continue to play, not retiring from international games: Lionel Messi

After helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in a stunning penalty shootout victory over France on Sunday, Lionel Messi has said he would not retire from international football

Google Search hit highest ever traffic in 25 years during Fifa WC final

The six-goal madness of the final between Argentina and France means that the Qatar Fifa World Cup is the tournament with the highest number of goals ever scored

Lionel Messi plans to play on for Argentina after FIFA World Cup win

Lionel Messi is not ready to walk away from Argentina yet, despite ending his pursuit of a World Cup winner's medal. The soccer great secured the one major trophy that has eluded him in his storied career as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties in the final at Lusail Stadium on Sunday. The match finished 3-3 through extra time with Messi scoring twice and converting his penalty in the shootout. At 35, this is likely his last appearance in soccer's biggest tournament, but he confirmed after the match that he intends to play on. Obviously, I wanted to complete my career with this, (I) can't ask for more, Messi said. "Finishing my career this way is impressive. After this, what else? I have a Copa Amrica, a World Cup. Almost at the very end. "I love soccer, what I do. I enjoy being part of the national team, the group. I want to enjoy a couple of more matches being a world champion. Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world on seven occasions. He has a

Fifa World Cup: Top five iconic finals that lived up to the occasion

Fifa World Cup final: Here's a look at some of the iconic finals of the football World Cup in the history of the game

Sporadic violence reported from parts of Kerala after Argentina win

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from various parts of the state on Sunday night as celebrations in the wake of Argentina's World Cup win went out of control. Different incidents of minor violence were reported from Kannur district last night in which two cases were registered and six persons were under custody. "One person suffered a stab injury on his leg and was hospitalised during an incident of violence at Palliyamoola in the district. In another incident at Thalassery, a police officer was injured," a senior special branch police officer told PTI. Kannur Police said a total of six persons were under custody in both the incidents. A police officer was attacked and dragged by a five-member gang at Kaloor junction in Kochi city. "A gang of five attacked the police officer who was on duty on Sunday night. They attacked him and dragged him while he opposed them blocking the road and celebrating," police said. In the Kochi incident, a case has been registered against

Argentina lifts WC and Qatar's building frenzy reaches its day of reckoning

As Qatar returns to its sleepier pace after Argentina triumphed in Sunday's final of a controversial, yet often breathtaking football World Cup, the next challenge is already upon the nation

With Mbappe at his heels, Messi may not be football's GOAT for long

Messi, 35, is in sight of the finish line; Mbappe, 23, has a long way to go

Messi's victory celebrations in Kerala takes violent turn, teen dies

In Kannur, the Argentian victory celebrations of supporters turned violent

Messi's hometown of Rosario celebrates after Argentina's World Cup victory

The streets of Lionel Messi's hometown of Rosario erupted in celebration after Argentina beat France to win its third World Cup title. We're champions, which is all we wanted, more than anything for (Messi) and for the whole team, Santiago Ferraris, 25, said. Argentina's three goals in the 3-3 draw were scored by Rosario natives, with Messi, who came up from local team Newell's Old Boys, scoring two and Angel Di Maria, who once played in rival local team Rosario Central, one. Rosario, just like the rest of the country, was paralyzed during the nail-biting match that ended in a penalty shootout, which Argentina won 4-2. Tens of thousands of people descended on the National Flag Memorial, the symbol of Argentina's third-largest city, to celebrate Argentina's victory. People started arriving as soon as Messi lifted the international trophy and were still there well into the evening. The local soccer rivalry between Central and Newell's was set aside Sunday as seemingly the entire cit

Messi wins FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina beats France on penalties

Lionel Messi finally won the biggest prize in soccer as Argentina beat France 4-2 in a penalty shootout Sunday to claim a third World Cup title despite Kylian Mbapp scoring the first hat trick in a final in 56 years. Gonzalo Montiel scored the clinching penalty kick as Argentina won after a 3-3 draw.

'A great future': Argentine president thanks soccer team for World Cup win

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez thanked the national soccer team for winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar sets scoring record with 172 goals

The six-goal final between France and Argentina set a World Cup record of 172 at this year's tournament. The previous tournament record of 171 goals was set in 1998 and 2014. The 1998 tournament in France was the first edition in the current 64-game, 32-team format. A new record is likely to be set at the 2026 World Cup, which has been expanded to 48 teams playing either 80 or 104 games. On Sunday, Argentina and France drew 3-3 through extra time to set the record. Lionel Messi scored two goals for Argentina and Kylian Mbappe got a hat trick for France the first in a World Cup final since 1966. Argentina won the title, its third, by prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shootout. It was the second straight six-goal final. France defeated Croatia 4-2 four years ago in Russia. The 2.63 goals per game average in Qatar is far below the World Cup record of 5.38 goals per game at the 1954 edition in Switzerland.

'I am not going to retire': Leo Messi after Argentina's World Cup victory

Messi has been monumental in his team's success in the tournament, becoming the only player in World Cup history to score in every knockout game

Argentines erupt in joy after national team beats France to take World Cup

Argentines let loose and streets across the country became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the national team beat France on penalties. It was the country's third World Cup title, and the first since 1986. I'm very happy, we really deserved this. The team suffered quite a bit, but it recovered as time went on, said Josefina Villalba, a 55-year-old nanny who joined hundreds of fans at one of the many public plazas where giant screens were set up to watch the long-awaited match. Millions of Argentines cried, yelled and hugged as they followed the game, which was a roller coaster of emotions. Throughout the match, many watching in a public square in Buenos Aires chanted the name of captain Lionel Messi, often considered the world's greatest soccer player who had long talked about how he yearned for a World Cup victory. I feel an immense happiness in my heart because this is the first World Cup I truly enjoy, Hector Quinteros, a 34-year-old security guard,

Indian fans of Argentina, Messi rejoice in magnificent victory: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Argentina on winning the World Cup and said the final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling football matches. Millions of Indian fans of Argentina and Messi rejoice in the magnificent victory, he said. Modi tweeted, "This will be remembered as one of the most thrilling Football matches! Congrats to Argentina on becoming FIFA World Cup Champions! They've played brilliantly through the tournament. Millions of Indian fans of Argentina and Messi rejoice in the magnificent victory!" Argentina won the World Cup by beating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final.

Fifa World Cup final: Prize money for winning team, runner-up revealed

Fifa World Cup 2022 final: What is the prize money for the winning team? Check all the details here

Argentines flock to Qatar for their chance to win FIFA World Cup 2022

From a soccer-crazed country known for its world-class players and its repeated economic crises, Argentine fans are making great sacrifices to be in Qatar to see their team try to win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. Passionate and noisy, the euphoria in Doha has grown to the rhythm of Muchachos the unofficial anthem of the fans and with each victory of Lionel Messi and his team ahead of Sunday's final against defending champion France. In a corner of the Souq Waqif bazaar in the capital, locals and tourists gathered around a young woman clad in the Argentine sky blue-and-white stripped jersey juggling a ball with her feet. In a hand-written banner in English and Arabic, she asks for tickets to the World Cup final at Lusail Stadium. Passersby leave change on a hat placed on the ground. Soccer for me is everything," said 24-year-old Belen Godoy, who has been in Doha for a month and attended nearly every Argentina game by buying resale tickets. I left my family. I spen

FIFA World Cup: In Kolkata, the final is still between Argentina and Brazil

Observers say that exposure to European football leagues, especially the English Premier League, has helped bring some diversity to the fan base in Kolkata more recently

World Cup: Poland's Marciniak to referee France-Argentina final on Sunday

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will make history as the first man from his country to take charge of a Fifa World Cup final on Sunday