The stars of soccer shone brightly on Sunday in Qatar. Argentina won a stunning World Cup final on penalties against France (3-3 after extra time). A clash of titans that made the hearts of thousands of expatriates in our country vibrate.
Montreal’s sports bars were overflowing with cheering fans on this chilly morning. We had arrived around 5, 6 or 7 to find a chair and a crowd. Very quickly, well before the 10 a.m. kick-off, we had to resign ourselves to it: for lack of space, many had to listen to the final on screens outside, at -2°C.
“It’s South America against Europe”, testified Alejandro Arias, one of the supporters of Argentina, in front of the Café Conca d’Oro, landmark of sky blue and white jerseys in Little Italy. The Colombian showed brotherhood on that fateful day. “Usually, Latin countries, we are proud and we like to win against others. But today, we have never been so united. »
“I’m nervous like before an exam,” added Rocio Diaz at his side, his hands shaking.
The Barouf, high place of France in Quebec, also poured its overflow of supporters on the sidewalk. “At least 300” people were turned down at the door, according to the doorman. In a nearby bar in the neighborhood, in what could be renamed “Little France”, Martin Sarres says he took leave for the occasion. “I listen to football [soccer] once every four years, and that’s exactly why. […] It’s more important than money! »
And the audience got their money’s worth.
The arrival of “Messi”
Lionel Messi, hungry for a first World Cup at 35, started like a lion. The soft tactics of the Blues left a lot of space for his talent. A French foul in their defensive zone (though questionable) and the door was open for a Messi who does not miss his penalty shots.
Ángel Di María – another veteran who probably participated in his last World Cup – doubled his team’s lead a few minutes later.
“Messi did not play alone. There are 22 players in the Argentina squad. If Messi includes himself in the team, they will win,” predicted the Homework before the game Luchio Gutierrez, a great Argentine fan, in front of the Café Conca d’Oro. This scenario appears to be coming to fruition.
The “Little France” fell silent after this second goal. Hoarse cries of die-hards remind us, however, that nothing is over. “Allez les Bleus”, they shout at the top of their voices on rue Saint-Denis, in Le Plateau, at halftime.
But the second half is progressing, and the long faces in and around Barouf no longer seem to believe it. Still, winning a second straight World Cup victory, after their 2018 crowning glory, would offer glory for decades to come.
The offensive of the Blues lights up a little, except that ten minutes from the end, no goal offers a consolation to the French expatriates in Quebec. It’s scratching its head for hope.
Freedom, equality, Mbappé
Suddenly, at the 80e minute of the match, a roar took hold of the Plateau-Mont-Royal. Kylian Mbappé, a great star of world soccer, has just scored a goal on a penalty shot, after striker Randal Kolo Muani was unbalanced by Nicolas Otamendi. Fans in rooster-striked jerseys haven’t finished their celebratory spars but rebelote: the 23-year-old star show why he is so adored by leveling the mark of a perfect right footed recovery on the ground, after a pass through the air from Marcus Thuram.
What followed was one of the most memorable extensions in history. Messi eventually finds the back of the net. “La Puce” did not disappoint. French supporters are flabbergasted. Denial seizes the crowd, as the sequence on the screen gives the impression for a moment that the ball has been pushed back by a defender at the edge of the goal line.
But a new miracle blesses the Blues. Just minutes from the final whistle, a handball from Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel in the penalty area resulted in a third penalty shot in the match. It is obviously Mbappé who tries it and succeeds, again.
The 120e minute ends. The 3 to 3 score keeps everyone on the edge of their seat…or rather half of the world. FIFA estimates that 3.5 billion of the 8 billion humans watched the final in 2018, and predictions point to a similar audience this year.
Disappointing outcome for the Blues: a save by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and two bad shoot-offs propel the South Americans to the top. A sad silence grips the French quarter of Montreal. “Thank you Les Bleus”, we shout rue Saint-Denis. Someone through a window taunts these unfortunate supporters: “Messi, Messi! »
Feasting
Found after the match, Lucho Gutierrez jokes by repeating a sentence launched earlier: “Is there a doctor in the room? I have my heart about to explode. »
“We went through the whole range of emotions”, drops Gaston Trias, blue and white flag around his neck. “It is the consecration! »
The final emotion that day in Little Italy draped in sky blue and white was obviously joy.
The fervor seemed to keep the cold away, corner Dante and Gaspé, so much so that the coats fell off, as well as the tuques and mittens, to celebrate. Drums, patriotic songs and of course cries in honor of “Messi” echoed through the streets and alleys of the district.
The Victorious Carnival decided to walk to Mount Royal to admire from above the pedestal on which their team is placed for the next four years.
“After having struggled so much in my career, this is coming to me almost at the end,” smiled from Doha, Lionel Messi, 35 (172 caps), who had said that Qatar would “surely” be his last World Cup. “I love football, I love what I do, I love being in the national team, being with this group. And obviously, I want to continue to live a few more matches being world champion, he added to the microphone of Argentine television. I can’t ask for more. I will almost end my career, these are my last years. »
“There were a lot of emotions, that’s why it’s cruel at the end. We are close to something we could have touched, ”lamented the French coach, Didier Deschamps.
“See you in four years”, we repeated in the “Little France” of Montreal.
With Agence France-Presse