Argentina and Spain will compete in the 2026 World Cup final

Pride without flags of defeat

Thousands of Argentines gathered around the Obelisk in Buenos Aires on Sunday. It was not to celebrate a title, but to give thanks. The national team lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final, but there was no shortage of affection.

With their faces painted light blue and white, the fans sang and jumped to the rhythm of the drums. Fireworks illuminated the sky while images of the players and Lionel Messi’s goals during the tournament were projected on the Obelisk.

“Gratitude, gratitude because they have had a good championship. To be among the two best in the world today is very gratifying for us,” Andrea Galaxio, one of the thousands of Argentines cheering there, told The Associated Press.

Fans began to gather early, braving the rain and cold of the southern winter.

“This represents the team: the determination, the courage, the Argentine suffering and, above all, the resilience in the face of adversity. It will always, always be like this,” said Pablo Amarillo, 41, as he looked at the crowd.

Argentina lost the opportunity to win its fourth World Cup when it fell to Spain in overtime. With the victory, Spain won its second world title, the first in 16 years.

President Javier Milei congratulated the players minutes after the game.

“Thank you very much, players…!!! Until the end with the boots on. Argentina always at the top,” he wrote in X.

The United States ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, also joined.

“Thank you to the Scaloneta for this magnificent World Cup! An elite team that, with resilience, courage and an exceptional level of play, earned the respect and applause of the whole world,” he published on X.

The match almost certainly marked the last World Cup match for Messi, who at 39 years old played in his third final.

“Messi transcends football. He tells us that we must never give up, that we must insist until we can’t take it anymore,” said Tomás Aramayo, 21, at the Fan Fest in Palermo. “Messi gave everything to see us happy.”

Historical performance by Quiñones

The Mexican team left its mark in the 2026 World Cup. Under the direction of Javier Aguirre, the team advanced undefeated in the group stage, defeated Ecuador and fought against England. But there was one name that shone above the rest: Julián Quiñones.

The Al-Qadisiyah forward became the most decisive piece of the tricolor attack. He finished the tournament with four goals, a figure that placed him as the Mexican with the most goals in this World Cup. In addition, he equaled the historical mark of Luis Hernández and Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, although they needed more World Cup editions to reach it.

His goals came at key moments: against South Africa in the opening match at the Mexico City Stadium, against the Czech Republic in the group final, against Ecuador in the round of 32 and against England in the round of 16.

In the world elite

With those four goals, Quiñones joined the top 10 scorers in the competition. The scoring table was led by Kylian Mbappé (10), followed by Lionel Messi (8), Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland (7 each). The Mexican finished in shared fourth place, tied with Ismaila Sarr and above Vinicius Junior.

His performance confirmed the growth of a footballer who came to the national team after becoming naturalized and who responded with goals in the most demanding scenario.

Emotion overwhelmed Lionel Scaloni. After Argentina’s 1-0 defeat against Spain in the World Cup final, the coach burst into tears during the press conference and was unable to conclude his statements.

Uncertain future

Amid sadness over the result, Scaloni questioned his permanence at the head of the Albiceleste. His contract ends in December of this year.

“I’m here until December, then it’s going to be complicated. It’s also fair that it can be changed. Until December and then I’ll probably stop. It’s fair.”

The strategist was also consulted about the future of Lionel Messi, who could have played his last game with the national team.

“I have not spoken with him. We have tried until the last moment to give our best as a coaching staff and the players, and I think it is fair that I can take this time and think about it.”

It was at that moment that his voice broke. When talking about his career, Scaloni could not hold back his tears.

“Let’s see if I stop. In my life, all the guys on the coaching staff think we’ll be in this place. So, to continue, a lot of things are needed, to reset and re-form a group like this, which is difficult to form again. And it hurts me, it hurts my soul. I’m sorry.”

After these words, Scaloni stood up and ended the conference, while the journalists applauded him.

An era of success

Scaloni took over as interim coach of Argentina after the failure in the 2018 World Cup, when the team fell in the round of 16. Despite initial criticism for not having the resume of figures like Simeone or Pochettino, he achieved two Copa América titles and a World Cup.

That success ended a streak of frustrations that included Messi’s brief resignation in 2016.

Scaloni reiterated that he needs time to reflect: “This place is wonderful.”