On Sunday, the results of the 2014 World Cup Final match between Argentina and Germany resulted to riot police in the South American country resorting to violent measures as youth hurl rocks in central Buenos Aires in protest of the loss. Germany forward Mario Goetze's extra-time goal had stunned fans in Argentina into silence, diminishing the chances of the country getting the tournament championship since 1986.
40-year-old local Eduardo Manfredi was quoted as saying, "It's another slap in the face. There is no more joy, but we came out second and were not shamed in Brazil."
The youth's state of mind then were of hope as they march along the country's fans in the soccer-obsessed capital blowing loud vuvuzela horns and banging drums, GMA News reported. Some of the fans have even dressed up their dogs in the country's famous soccer strips. It was what the country had needed as Argentina had been weathered in recent weeks by a brewing debt crisis, surging inflation and political scandal.
However, the revelries became dangerous when Argentina succumbed to the Germans in a 1-0 loss. Parents were seen clutching their children to safety from the iconic Obelisk monument as they attempted to avoid the escalating tension between the rowdy lads who had been kicking down metal grills on shop fronts and began taunting police officers. Local media had reported that at least 15 of the police officers received injuries and over 50 people were detained in the unrest that had followed the devastating World Cup loss.
Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano had said after the loss, "We are gutted. We gave what we could and we are sorry for the people who came and for the people in Argentina."
Although Lionel Messi was deemed as the best player in the world, pundits claimed that he did not deserve of the award.
"Messi is often praised as the best player in the world, but he has struggled to gain universal acclaim in Argentina, where he will forever be compared with Diego Maradona - who, of course, delivered a World Cup title in 1986. This was seen as Messi's opportunity to cement his legacy, but along with most of his teammates, he was never quite sharp enough in what was surely the biggest game of his life," the New York Times reported.
