JUBILIANT Argentina fans went wild today as the country celebrated its first World Cup win for 36 years.
Thousands poured into the streets of Buenos Aires to watch Argentina take the trophy after a nerve-shredding final.
APArgentina fans celebrate their team’s World Cup victory over France in Buenos Aires[/caption]
AFPFans celebrate at the former house of late football star Diego Maradona[/caption]
AFPFans of Argentina celebrate Angel Di Maria’s goal at the former house of Maradona[/caption]
AFPArgentina fans went wild after their World Cup win[/caption]
APArgentine fans celebrate in Buenos Aires during the World Cup final[/caption]
APEuphoric fans celebrate after Argentina won the World Cup final[/caption]
APThousands poured into the streets to watch the World Cup final[/caption]
Joyous footage showed thousands of euphoric fans leaping into the air 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.
It’s the first World Cup win for Argentina in 36 years.
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.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said: “There could not have been a World Cup that I have dreamed of like this. I was calm during the penalties.”
For Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni it was a nail-biting finish to a turbulent tournament and he could not hold back his tears following the final whistle.
“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” Scaloni said.
“I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group. With the blows we received today, with the draws, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”
It was the third world title for Argentina and the first since the late Diego Maradona won the trophy almost single-handedly in 1986.
For Argentina players and captain Messi, who netted twice in the 120 minutes before also scoring in the shoot-out, it was the biggest title of their careers.
Messi’s Argentine team had made the final as recently as 2014 but on that occasion they finished second best to Germany.
“I’ll never forget it. We had to suffer but we deserved to win,” Argentina defender Rodrigo De Paul said.
“We’ve beaten the last champions, it’s a joy I cannot put into words.
“I’m proud of being born in Argentina and today we are on top of the world.”