Tens of thousands of jubilant fans poured into the streets of Buenos Aires on Wednesday night after Argentina secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England to book its place in the World Cup final.
The celebrations quickly turned into an outpouring of emotion. Some supporters screamed with joy, others broke down in tears, while the most exuberant raced shirtless through the city's rain-soaked streets despite the winter chill, their bodies painted in Argentina's blue-and-white colors. Fans climbed lamp posts and traffic lights, waved national flags and embraced strangers, many visibly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.
The scenes erupted after Lautaro Martinez struck the winner two minutes into stoppage time in Atlanta, sending the defending champions into Sunday's World Cup final against Spain, where Argentina will bid to retain its title.
"Look around at all these strangers, jumping and dancing together," said Rosana Beto Cruz, a 48-year-old Catholic nun caught in the sea of Argentine fans streaming toward the Obelisk, the city's towering downtown monument, chanting songs, blaring car horns and setting off fireworks.
"The World Cup, our national team, it makes this happen," she added.
