Argentina fans in Kolkata erupted in jubilation as their team won the World Cup on Sunday and Lionel Messi lifted the Cup, beating France in a tiebreaker.
But the match, arguably the best World Cup final ever, was a cliffhanger, oscillating between hope and despair for the blue and white fans in Kolkata.
“Messi is the greatest. But if he had not won this final, everything would have been meaningless. Finally, Messi has achieved and I cannot express my joy,” said Saurav Majumdar, a Bandroni resident who watched the nail-biting final with his friends, donning the Argentina jersey.
“We were apprehensive about the tiebreaker. But Emiliano Martinez (the Argentina goalie) came good as he proved his mettle,” said Rajdeep Sarkar, an Argentina fan who watched the match with friends in an apartment in Behala.
A field in front of Netaji Nagar Football Club resembled a games village in Qatar, replete with a giant LED screen, LED lighting systems, and huge flags of both Argentina and France.
Hundreds of supporters, including women and children, had come to the venue in the jerseys of the finalists, but the Argentina fans far outnumbered those rooting for the French.
“I was only three when Maradona won the World Cup in 1986. I have waited so long for another World Cup triumph. But kudos to Mbappe and his team. It was a great match,” said Abhishek Das Sarkar, a Kasba resident.
Like Netaji Nagar, loud cheers erupted in Patuli 23 minutes into the match as Lionel Messi sent a ball soaring past Hugo Lloris into the nets of France as he converted a penalty kick with poise and determination.
“Messi is our main man. But Di Maria was the game changer today,” said Tanmoy Bose, an Argentina supporter in Patuli, who watched the match at his home.
In Behala, giant screens were set up at several neighbourhoods. “We have arranged mutton and rice for dinner. The food will taste better if Argentina wins,” said Uttam Das.
The French supporters who had gathered at Olterra pub on Park Street at a screening organised by Alliance Francaise du Bengale were a dispirited lot for most of the match.
“The pressure of support for Messi from the whole world got to our team,” Francois Joly, a filmmaker, said sadly.
More than a hundred men and women clad in football jerseys gathered at a park in front of Central Mall in New Town, where a giant screen had been set up.
The Argentine jerseys outnumbered that of France in New Town as well.