Argentina goes back to England and will play the final of the World Cup against Spain

The scream came before the ball had even gone in. As if hundreds of hearts had understood before the eyes that that finish of Lautaro Martinez it was the end of an agony and the beginning of another story. In the 92nd minute, when extra time seemed hopeless, messiah raised his head, drew a cross with music and the Argentinian striker of theInter Milan appeared to stop time for a few seconds and welcome the earthquake.

Hugs in dojo, hysterical celebrations, flags flying overhead, tears and screams impossible to contain. The Argentine community ofAndorra he had just witnessed a new resurrection of a team that seems to have made survival a way of understanding football. When all seemed lost, when weariness and the clock ticked toward cruel elimination, Argentina found another life again. Like so many times and with two goals in seven minutes. But the semifinal of world had not started in the 92nd minute, not even a few hours before the game, considering that one Argentina-England it’s never just a match. There are duels that last ninety minutes and others that continue to be played for decades. The wound of Falklandsthe political and emotional rivalry between two countries and that immortal afternoon of Mexico 86 they are part of an imaginary that transcends football. “Too much time has passed to remember that”, pointed out Leandro, one of the many Argentine residents who watched the semi-final yesterday.

The Argentine residents lived a night of anguish, suffering and faith

Hours before nine in the evening, the first Argentines were already walking towards their meeting point. The seasonal workers who work in hotels, restaurants or on the slopes during the year had changed their work clothes for the blue shirt. Some wore flags over their shoulders. Others wore blue and white like a second skin and the conversations weren’t just about tactics: they also talked about family, Buenos Airesof superstitions and that almost physical need to share a game like this far from home. Already with the first notes of the anthem it was understood that the night would be special. Many sang with their eyes fixed on the screen and some put their hands together as if asking for mercy, divine help or a small football miracle. The game smelled hot before it started. And it was. A duel of mud, collisions, interruptions and underground play. A battle where intelligence and endurance were as important as talent. There was a lot of intensity and few tracks in the opponent’s area. Argentina was looking for some spark in the skirmishes of Julian Alvarezin the mobility of Giuliano or in some saving intervention of the Dibu Martinezespecially when England threatened with a set piece. Every action was a small adrenaline rush. Every foul, an opportunity to shout again. “Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve, the one who doesn’t jump is an Englishman”, chanted the Argentine fans while a distant shot fromEnzo Fernandez he woke up the people, who suffered more than they enjoyed. Marisolresident in Andorra for four years, it was the perfect portrait of that anguish. He lived the entire first part with his hands on his head, unable to take his eyes off the screen. “Living this here, far from theArgentina and away from the family, it’s special and very exciting”, he explained with a voice full of emotion. Anthony Gordonthe new player of the Barçaappeared from the second line and froze the room with 0 to 1 in the 55th minute. For a few seconds, the silence weighed more than any scream. “We will draw, for sure”, he assured Ezekielmore convinced by necessity than by evidence. “Come on, come on Argentinavamos, vamos a ganar, que esta quilombera band, never ceases to encourage you”, they kept repeating when it seemed that time was running out. With five minutes to go, messiah he found a space and served a ball that Enzo Fernandez collected to break the 1-1 and when everything seemed headed for another eternal suffering, appeared Lautaro and Argentina resurrected again

The frenzy for the final ended in Plaça de la Rotonda.

After the game, the fans did not want to break with the night. With their flags still flying and their voices worn out after nearly two hours of shouting, they made their way to the Plaza de la Rotonda to extend a party that was no longer just sports. It was a piece of the country recovered for a few hours. On Sunday Spain awaits, with the final that never took place and the duel that football had been postponing for decades, will have its stage.