Argentina fans celebrate their team's win. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
Christmas has come early for Argentina.
But instead of carols it was Latin football celebrations at Christchurch's Dux Central after a heart-stopping World Cup final.
Argentinian football fans have been partying today after their team edged France in a match which has been dubbed as the greatest decider ever.
Fans around the country flocked to bars that were screening the match, with the on-field action serving patrons an emotional rollercoaster.
Photo: AFP
Many Argentinians at the Dux were on cloud nine following the climatic finish that saw player of the tournament Lionel Messi and his side prevail. "The best in the world, unimaginable, amazing, so happy," one fan said. "A lot of emotions but I knew we were going to win."
Asked how they would celebrate, this pair said breakfast then shots.
Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
Further north and the excitement was unmistakable at the Fox in Auckland where about 350 people gathered.
One fan could barely speaking after screaming her lungs out for more than two hours. "I lost my voice, I was that excited. I feel amazing."
"I'm ecstatic, I cried in 2014 and to see Messi become the greatest player of all time, it's a fact," Myer Mahen said.
Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
First-half goals to Messi and Angel Di Maria put Argentina in pole position. But their fans knew better than to get too carried away. "Not really feeling comfortable, this is a final man."
The match was turned on its head in the second half when French star Kylian Mbappé scored twice to square proceedings. French fan Lorenzo Fini was stunned that his side were back in the contest.
Photo: AFP
"I don't have words, those first 40 I wanted to go home and go back to bed. I turned my phone off because all my friends were messaging me 'screw France,' so I just hope we win so I can put it right back in their faces."
Extra time provided further drama as both Messie and Mbappé scored goals and with both sides level on 3-3, the final was decided by the shootout. But it was Gonzalo Montiel's penalty kick and two misses from the French which proved the difference, sending Agentine fans in both Auckland and Christchurch into raptures.
Argentina's loyal band of supporters believed it was the team and Lionel Messi's time.
Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
"Yeah Leo [Messi] deserves this, we have a really good team, it is something we have inside our souls and blood, suffer till the end."
Peter Barclay, proudly draped in the Argentine flag, was not short of superlatives.
"Fantastic, very excited, unbelievable, we made it!"
"Vamos Argentina!"
Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
Abella Mange was gutted, but pragmatic. "It was a very intense match, a great game but it's so sad for us, a third star would have been perfect but it's a good ending for Messi."
Sam Messenger was also philosophical following the heart-wrenching loss. "[I'm feeling] deflated. It was amazing though. I did not expect us to come back. Argentina looked so strong, France were nowhere.
"Then Mbappé just dragged us back into it. It was 80 minutes of nothing then moments of magic, a final is not played, it is won. As heartbreaking as it is, you can't be upset. Messi is the undisputed GOAT [greatest of all time]."
With some describing the match as the greatest World Cup final ever, it was a breathtaking occasion to cap off what had been an enthralling tournament.
