Read for 2 minutesUpdated: July 9, 2026 06:14 PM IST
After a thrilling match between Argentina and Egypt, Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, erupted into jubilation after Argentina won 3-2. However, as the night wore on, the festivities took a violent turn as the police arrested at least nine people.
Thousands gathered to celebrate the victory; However, late at night some of the crowd started pelting bottles and stones at the police, forcing them to intervene.
“Police sources said at least nine people had been arrested on charges of assault and resisting authority, causing damage and wounding. A large security operation was underway around the obelisk (in the city where the festival was being celebrated) and neighboring streets as authorities tried to prevent further trouble,” the Argentine publication Buenos Times quoted.
“Officials said they were still investigating what sparked the disturbance, which broke out while the festivities were underway. Police sources told local media that many of those involved appeared to be very drunk,” it added.
Argentina president Javier Mille celebrated the triumph of Lionel Messi’s return by congratulating the team on social media: “Come on Argentina! What a lot of suffering,” he wrote.
Trailing 2-0 against Egypt with 11 minutes of regulation time to play on Tuesday, the defending champions rallied for an improbable 3-2 victory and a place in the quarterfinals.
“We have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up in the face of difficulties and adversity. We are always together,” said Enzo Fernandez, who scored the winner in stoppage time.
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Argentina will face Switzerland in the next round on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.
For much of Tuesday’s game, it looked like it would be a painful exit for 39-year-old Lionel Messi from what could be the last of his six World Cups.
Egypt took the lead after Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico scored in each half and could have gone 3-0 up had a second score not been ruled out for video review.
Argentina looked down and out, its bid to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles barring all but dead.