Buenos Aires: The party at the fan zone here fell flat as a huge crowd expecting a Messi-inspired Argentina World Cup revival could only watch in horror at as the nadir of Nizhny Novgorod unfolded.
“We lost very badly, they (Croatia) really humiliated us this time,” said 22-year-old Joaquin. “And now, on top of that, we’re depending on Nigeria!”
Lionel Messi came in for particular criticism after an under-par performance. “Messi, who keeps winning for Barcelona, who continues to deliver triumph after triumph for Barcelona, has given us nothing but defeats and sadness,” said an angry Miguel Angel Gutierrez, 50, wearing an ‘Albiceleste’ wig.
But this was no party as fans young and old hid their sky blue-and-white painted faces in their hands, the classic reflexes of cinemagoers at a horror movie.
Some wept and others hugged each other like survivors at a disaster scene. One man stood and gestured angrily at the big screen as passes went astray on the pitch in Russia.
First and foremost, I would beg for their forgiveness, especially those fans who came great distances to see Argentina. I am responsible for this result, I had planned the wrong strategy. After the first goal we were emotionally broken
Jorge Sampaoli
The World Cup was supposed to provide a glitzy distraction for Argentines who have seen their purchasing power steadily eroded by subsidy cuts, IMF-inspired reforms, and a crippled national currency.
“We are very sad because it’s all wrong! Just look at the dollar, we are very tired of everything. We trusted in this team,” a despondent Alfredo Dominguez, 48, said from under his blue-and-white-striped hat, which said ‘Messi 10’.
Zulma Suarez smiled sadly and sighed as she reflected on the shattered hopes of a nation. “I thought we would get there (knockouts and the title), that it would get easier as we went along. But well, as an Argentine, I feel my country in my heart,” she said with emotion choking her voice.