Cheers and tears: Kansas City watch party reacts to Argentina's comeback over England
The emotions shifted by the minute Wednesday at Kansas City's Power & Light District as fans watched Argentina stage a dramatic comeback to reach the FIFA World Cup final.
With both Argentina and England using the Kansas City area as their home base during the tournament, supporters of both teams packed the downtown watch party for one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup.
After a scoreless first half, England broke through for the match's first goal, sending Three Lions fans into celebration.
As the clock wound down, England fan Aidan Kern admitted he was nervous.
"We're worried. Honestly. Argentina has been running it towards the box. But I'm hoping we can hold on. We should be able to."
Argentina supporters were feeling the pressure, too.
"Sad. But five minutes left by stoppage. Hope we can tie it up," Argentina fan Hensser Bautista said.
Then everything changed.
Argentina scored the equalizer late in regulation, and the roar from the crowd made it clear what had happened before many fans even saw the replay.
Lionel Messi assisted the tying goal, then set up Argentina's second goal just minutes later to complete the comeback and send the defending champions to Sunday's World Cup final.
"It's happy. Happy! Thank God! He heard it. He heard it," Bautista said after Argentina tied the match.
As the game headed into the closing moments, Bautista summed up the drama.
"Extra time. What a game, man. This is the World Cup."
When Argentina scored the winner, the celebration erupted.
"God heard my words. I wanted a comeback. He gave me a comeback. God is great, man," Bautista said.
He added, "Two World Cups in a row and we're going for Spain."
For England supporters, the ending was heartbreaking.
"I think we had a great performance. They were absolutely fabulous. It's tough. That is a great game. Argentina did earn it. Those goals were good," England fan Morgan Kurtz said. "The refereeing was solid throughout the match. I'm okay with that. I'm happy to see us go on for third place."
After the final whistle, Argentina supporters celebrated throughout the Power & Light District, with dancing, chants and a march through the streets as they looked ahead to Sunday's World Cup final against Spain.
The victory also moved Messi ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot after recording two assists.
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