The score in the final marked a 1-0 defeat against Spain and frustrated the dream of a two-time world championship. However, the return of the Argentine team showed a different scene than that which usually accompanies sporting defeats: hundreds of people waited for the team in Buenos Aires to thank them for the tournament they held.
The plane that transported part of the squad and the coaching staff landed at the Ezeiza international airport on Monday afternoon.
There, the footballers were received with a red carpet and the performance of Boys by the Granaderos band before moving to the premises of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
During the tour, despite the rain and cold, numerous fans stood on the side of the road with flags, posters and fireworks to greet the players.
It was not a celebration for a title, but rather a recognition of a team that once again played in a world final.
The AFA itself summarized the moment with a simple message: “The National Team is already home”while Conmebol highlighted the team’s journey and the pride it represented for South American soccer during the tournament.
The reception reflected a relationship that the Argentine team has built over recent years.
Under the leadership of Lionel Scaloni, the team won the Copa América, the Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, achievements that strengthened a connection with the fans that did not disappear after losing a final.
The clearest example came just a few hours after the decisive match.
While the sporting result left Argentina as runner-up, the message from the fans was different: applause in the streets, gratitude on social networks and a welcome that focused on the team’s journey rather than the outcome of the tournament.
The defeat closed the dream of the two-time championship, but did not alter the bond between the Scaloneta and its people.
The return home confirmed that, for many Argentines, the recognition of the team transcended the result of a single night.