Argentina Fans Live Every Moment of Nail-Biter Victory Over Switzerland · Global Voices
Laura Schneider

Football fans cheering their national team from Ushuaia. Photo on Flickr by user Ministerio de Cultura de la Nación. CC BY-SA 2.0
In Argentina, everything comes to a halt during a World Cup match. The country has a strong football tradition, and during the 90 or more minutes of a game Argentinians swap their work uniform for that blue-and-white-striped T-shirt. Hearts racing, they cheer, chant and agonize with their beloved team. Balconies and houses are decorated with flags, and all of a sudden everyone knows everything about football, even though they might know nothing.
The story was no different during the knockout match on July 1 between Argentina and Switzerland, which ended in a 1-0 victory for Argentina that qualifies the team to advance. Angel Di Maria scored the winning goal late in extra time.
Fans unleashed a flood of love and support for Argentina after the match. Chau Suiza (farewell Switzerland) and #TeAmoArgentina (I love you Argentina) became trending topics on Twitter. If the country had lost, however, the conversation would have been marked by chagrin and sadness. Argentina fans can go from love to hate in the blink of an eye. Maybe it's because the World Cup is a solace and a defeat means they have to face again the daily routine.
Terminar los partidos sufriendo es típico de argentino. #TeAmoArgentina
— DEL MÁS GRANDE (@NachitoIstriz) julio 1, 2014
To finish up a match suffering is typical for an Argentinian.
Si Argentina no hubiera ganado esto no seria tendencia #TeAmoArgentina
— Fracasada ♡ (@MicaCanido1) julio 1, 2014
If Argentina hadn't won, this hashtag [I love you Argentina] wouldn't be trending topic.
@JuanGabrielCABJ took stock of the greats from Argentina:
El Papa es Argentino, Maradona es Argetino, tenemos a Messi y a un angelito , Que mas pedir? #TeAmoArgentina
— AmorEternoPorBoca♥ (@JuanGabrielCABJ) julio 1, 2014
The Pope is Argentinian, [famous former football player Diego Armando] Maradona is Argentinian, we have [famous football player Lionel] Messi and a little angel [referring to Angel Di Maria, who scored the winning goal against Switzerland]. What else can we ask for?
And amidst the rejoicing, Argentinians remembered Pope Francis with the hashtag Tenemos a Dios (We have God):
Tenemos a D10s, tenemos al Papa, tenemos al Messias, tenemos a un Angel, nos falta la copa ;)
— Pokimon Ezpezial #2 (@Roman_Barrios_) julio 1, 2014
We've got God, we've got the Pope, we've got a Messiah, we've got an Angel, we are still waiting for the Cup. ;)
Argentinian players also shared their happiness, like Ezequiel “Pocho” Lavezzi on his Facebook page [es]:
“Super important victory!!! Incredible effort from the team!!! Let's go Argentina.” Image posted on Ezequiel Lavezzi‘s official page on Facebook
Lionel Messi wrote [es] on his official Facebook page:
Nadie dijo que iba a ser fácil. Un pasito más. #VamosArgentina
Nobody said it was an easy game. Another big step.
#VamosArgentina
- LIO
Nobody said it was an easy game. Another big step.
#VamosArgentina (let's go, Argentina).
- LIO
Meanwhile, all that is left is to wait for the next match and why not, answer the following question:
Pelé estuvo presente en el partido de Argentina y le trajo suerte. ¿Lo llevarías a los cuartos de final? → http://t.co/PxOOjAjx6o
— IgnacioDiazSayde (@IgnacioAgustin9) julio 1, 2014
[Brazilian superstar footballer] Pelé was among the spectators of the Argentina match and it was good luck. Would you take him to the quarterfinals?