The night that was supposed to be a giant embrace for the Argentine national team turned into a nightmare in downtown Buenos Aires. Thousands of fans had gathered at the Obelisk to recognize the effort of Lionel Messi’s team, which lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final. But emotions overflowed, and suddenly the celebration turned into a pitched battle.
According to this outlet’s reconstruction, around 8 p.m., as a drizzle fell over 9 de Julio Avenue, a group of people began throwing bottles and stones at police officers. The response was immediate: officers charged at the aggressors, while a water cannon dispersed the crowded masses. The perimeter fences, meant to contain the celebrations, were breached by several protesters.
The official toll is at least 12 arrests and three injuries, though witnesses say the numbers could be higher. «We were celebrating just fine. Even if we lose, we are 100% Argentine. But they messed it up… They started throwing bottles and it went south. It’s a disaster,» said one of those present.
A woman who was with her son nearby said she «almost» got hit by a bottle. «People started throwing bottles,» she agreed. But not everyone blamed the fans; several criticized the police crackdown. «They came in shooting because we were celebrating. They repressed us. They threw pepper spray and hit us,» another witness denounced.
A man with bloodied head and hands claimed he was hit by rubber bullets. «We were passing by as a family. It’s a shame to end like this. Knowing that the players gave it their all on the field,» he lamented.
Amid the chaos, several lost children were reported. «I need to find my son,» pleaded a father who had located his older child but could not find his 12-year-old. Another mother, holding her daughter and both wearing national team jerseys, questioned: «It’s shameful, I can’t understand it. They started repressing, shooting rubber bullets and gas. I was far away, luckily. But they ride by on motorcycles and hit you.»
During the celebrations, fireworks and flashbangs were also set off. Officers warned they were very close to people who could be injured. Later, those same projectiles, along with flares and smoke devices, were used against the police.
The City Government had deployed an operation with nearly 1,000 officers, fences, and water cannons, but even that could not prevent the outbreak of violence. The night that was supposed to be a tribute ended with running, arrests, and an image that contrasts with the pride for the Scaloneta.
Para mí esto huele a siempre lo mismo: la policía reprime al pueblo mientras los ricos se van de vacaciones. Los pibes festejaban a la Scaloneta y vinieron con balas de goma. 12 detenidos por hinchar? Vergüenza de país. Abajo el sistema, viva la Scaloneta carajo.
para mi esto pasa x q los zurdos llenan la cabeza de mierda en vez de educar los mismos q lloran x messi ahora rompen todo verguenza deberian estar presos todos no 12 basta de impunidad viva la libertad carajo fdo el milico anonimo