In a Patagonia town with an 85-foot Messi statue, Argentines celebrate reaching World Cup final

CUTRAL CO, Argentina — Argentines celebrated across the country on Wednesday after their national team rallied from a goal down to defeat England 2-1 and secure a place in the FIFA World Cup final.

In Cutral Co, a town in Patagonia that recently unveiled an 85-foot statue of Lionel Messi, about 300 fans gathered to watch the semifinal on a giant screen beside the monument. The crowd erupted in celebration when the final whistle confirmed Argentina's comeback victory.

"It was a victory of suffering," said 32-year-old local Lucas Romero as he stood beside his wife near the towering statue.

Pointing to the monument, Romero added, "It's a good recognition of all that Messi has done."

The celebrations extended to Buenos Aires and other parts of the country as Argentina moved one win away from defending its World Cup title. The team will face Spain in Sunday's final, seeking to become the first nation since 1962 to win consecutive World Cup championships.

The semifinal carried historical significance beyond soccer, reflecting the long-standing rivalry between Argentina and England. The rivalry has been shaped by memorable World Cup encounters, the 1982 Falklands War—known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas conflict—and Diego Maradona's famous "Hand of God" goal during the 1986 World Cup.

Ahead of the match, Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel said the game represented more than just soccer for many Argentines, citing the countries' shared history and the emotional importance of the occasion.

Cutral Co, a town of about 40,000 residents in Neuquen province, gained international attention in June after unveiling what local officials described as the world's tallest monument dedicated to Messi. Created by local artist Aldo Beroisa, the statue depicts the Argentine captain kneeling while pointing toward the sky.

As Argentina sealed its victory, thousands of fans gathered around the monument, waving flags while fireworks lit up the night sky.

Celebrations grow as tournament progresses

The atmosphere surrounding Argentina's World Cup campaign had initially been more subdued than during the country's victorious run in Qatar in 2022, with many fans saying the pressure felt lower after already winning the previous tournament.

That mood shifted as Argentina advanced through the knockout rounds, with crowds filling the streets after each victory, especially following dramatic comeback wins.

The excitement also brought heightened emotions, prompting some Argentine media outlets to publish interviews with cardiologists reminding fans to watch for signs of heart-related emergencies during tense matches.

In Buenos Aires, streets that had been largely quiet during the game quickly filled with celebrating supporters waving Argentine flags as motorists sounded their horns.

"I'm overcome with emotion," said Mariano Gecik, a 49-year-old university professor who watched the match with friends.

"Once again, it's about resurrection, resilience, and sheer grit. We truly deserve our place in the World Cup final," he said.

In Quilmes, a city in Buenos Aires province, Falklands War veteran Juan Carlos Salinas became emotional while celebrating Argentina's victory during a watch party with fellow veterans.

"This for us is ... something big," the 74-year-old said through tears. -Reporting by Leila Miller from Cutral Co, additional reporting by Eliana Raszewski in Buenos Aires and Martin Alberto Cossarini in Quilmes; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien/Reuters