By Victor Kanayo
The just concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup has brought a twist of action for both countries – Argentina and France that played in the final of the global soccer fiesta in Qatar.
From the time, centre referee signalled an end to the crucial encounter after gruelling regulation and extra time, followed by penalties which Argentina won after goalkeeper’s heroics, fans took over from there.
In Argentina, jubilant fans went wild in celebration after its country last won the coveted trophy, 36 years ago.
Video clips showed thousands of them who had poured into the streets of Buenos Aires and waving flags as a penalty shoot-out saw Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel score the winner.
Fans were seen weeping with joy after Argentina beat France 4-2 in Qatar on penalties.
Hundreds of fans gathered to watch the match at the former home of the late football star Diego Maradona – and dived into the pool after the final whistle.
From London to Brazil, beers flew into the air and supporters ripped their shirts off in celebration.
It was the third world title for Argentina and the first since the late Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986.
However, the atmosphere wasn’t the same in Paris, capital of France as Armed police used tear gas on the streets after disorder broke out following the World Cup defeat.
Football fans descended en masse to the streets of the country’s biggest cities Paris, Lyon and Nice after the game.
Officers quelled a disturbance in the Champs-Elysees as flares were ignited and fireworks went off, according to The Sun.
Around 14,000 police officers went on duty across France to guarantee security as Les Bleus took on Argentina in the World Cup final, officials said Friday.
The Parisian security operation, presented to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin publicly on Friday, saw a concentration of forces in Paris, where huge crowds were expected in the event of victory.
The Champs-Elysees avenue was the scene of vast celebrations during France’s previous World Cup triumphs in 1998 and 2018, with 600,000 people cheering and dancing there four years ago.
The avenue was closed to traffic on Sunday and 2,750 officers were stationed in the vicinity.
