This is a fairytale finale for Messi, said Anushree (23), a fan of Argentina from Kerala. Argentina won by beating both teams that they lost to in 2018, noted another fan.
Kerala fans celebrate Argentina's and Messi's victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar (Supplied)
Vamos Argentina! It’s Lionel Messi. Kerala came to the streets on Sunday night with firecrackers and sweets to celebrate the win of Argentina and Messi in the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
“I can’t express my feelings. I don’t know what to say. It’s an emotion I can’t express. I was waiting for this my whole life,” said 23-year old Anu Augustine from Kerala to South First.
“Messi and [Angel] Di Maria deserve this win. This is a fairytale finale for Messi,” added Anu.
Kerala’s heartbeat had earlier stopped for moments during the penalties that Argentina won 4-2 against France, with Messi rifling in the first goal in the shootout for his country.
“I have been waiting for this for the most of my lifetime. What we lost in the last moment of 2014, we regained this year. Argentina won by beating both teams that they lost to in 2018, it was revenge for us but ended up in glory!”Jinil Narayanan, an Argentina fan from Kerala, told South First.
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#FIFAWorldCup : How people in #Kerala celebrated #Argentina winning the #WorldCup.#ArgentinaVsFrance #WorldCupFinal #Messi𓃵 #WorldCup2022 #WorldcupQatar2022 @TheSouthfirst pic.twitter.com/tD0fsyAKcE
— Ajay (@ajaytomarasks) December 18, 2022
The first half of the World Cup final went in favour of the Argentina that scored two goals — through a Messi penalty and a Di Maria finish. But the way France came back in the second half, with Messi’s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé scoring two goals, caused disappointment among Kerala’s Argentina fans.
#FIFAWorldCup : More visuals from #Kerala after #Argentina won the #WorldCupFinal.#FIFAWorldCupFinal #ARGFRA #FIFAWorldCup2022 #ArgentinaVsFrance #Kochi @TheSouthfirst pic.twitter.com/1WRzAAb7nT
— Ajay (@ajaytomarasks) December 18, 2022
In the extra time, Kerala again celebrated when Messi scored. But there was heartbreak again with Mbappé scoring a hat-trick.
Kerala’s Argentina fans had their hearts in their mouths when France came close to scoring at the end of the second half of extra time, with Emiliano Martínez making a brilliant save.
Then came the shootout, with Mbappé and Messi scoring the first goals for their respective teams. And then Kerala started celebrating as France missed two penalties, with the score 3–1 in favour of Argentina.
France then scored the next one, but one successful penalty for Argentina in the next two shots was enough. When Gonzalo Montiel scored, Argentina fans in Kerala erupted in celebrations.
“Since Messi started playing in 2006, I have waited for 16 years for this moment. I am crying, I am laughing. The game was insane. I wanted Messi to score and win. I did not sit for a moment to feel the calmness. It’s insane” Vedamalika (23), a Kerala fan who supported Argentina, told South First.
Messi won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament. The 23-year-old Mbappé, who joined Brazilian legend Pele with a total of 12 goals in World Cups and is one behind Messi (13 goals), won the Golden Boot for most goals in the Qatar edition.
“Just like I said after the first match [Argentina’s loss against Saudi Arabia], I’m speechless. But in the opposite way! It’s been in a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m literally on cloud nine,” Azeez, who had expressed his disappointment after Argentina’s loss in the very first match of the World Cup, told South First.
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