Indian football fans from Kolkata to Kerala and Goa also celebrated Argentina’s victory in the World Cup. Argentina won the World Cup for the third time by defeating France 4-2 on penalties in the final on Sunday, ending a 36-year world title drought. The match was tied 2-2 after regulation time and 3-3 after 30 minutes of extra time, after which the result was decided by a shoot-out.
On the victory of Argentina, people took to the streets in Kolkata, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Panaji, Imphal and different cities of India and they burst fireworks. At many places in Kolkata, people were seen dressed in Argentina’s team attire and also burst fireworks. A 50-year-old woman died in Manipur after she was shot by unidentified people celebrating Argentina’s victory. The incident took place at Singjamei Wangma Bhigapati area of Manipur’s Imphal East district around 11.30 pm on Sunday, police said.
Family members of the deceased said that as soon as the celebrations started after Argentina’s victory over France, the sound of firecrackers and gunfire rang out. A senior official said that two bullet marks were found on the first floor of the deceased’s residence. “While one bullet hit his back, the other bullet crossed the iron sheet,” he said. Some supporters were overwhelmed by emotion. Some had tears in their eyes while many were hugging each other. People also distributed a lot of sweets on this occasion.
Sujan Dutta, one of the many Argentina supporters in Kolkata, said, “I wish Diego Maradona was alive to witness this wonderful victory.” The streets of Kerala looked as if it was Argentina, not Kerala . Be it children or old people or women, all were dressed in the colors of Argentina and were bursting with fireworks. They were raising slogans in the name of Argentine star Lionel Messi. Argentina’s supporters from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi celebrated Argentina’s victory fiercely.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, Assembly Speaker MB Rajesh, various state ministers, legislators, film stars like Mammootty and Mohanlal also congratulated Argentina on the victory. Vijayan wrote in his Facebook post, “Congratulations to Argentina on winning the World Cup. Argentina won under the leadership of Lionel Messi. This is the biggest achievement of Messi’s career.” Mammootty and Mohanlal, two big actors of the Malayalam film industry, were present at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar to watch the title clash.
Mammootty wrote on Facebook, “What a wonderful night. What a great match. Got goosebumps. Thrilled to witness one of the greatest fights of all time. Congratulations to Argentina and Messi for conquering the world. France and Kylian Mbappe played very well too.” Mohanlal, who posted his own photograph of the stadium, said it was a great final where two great rivals gave it their all and played out a memorable encounter for millions of football fans.
Football lovers were also seen celebrating at many places in Goa. Small projectors were installed at various places in Goa where thousands of football fans watched the World Cup final. Several politicians including Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant congratulated Argentina and Messi on the victory. Sawant tweeted, “Congratulations Argentina. Football fans from Goa witness a thrilling final of the FIFA World Cup.
However, there were incidents of violence during the celebrations at some places in which many people including policemen were injured. Several people, including a police officer, were injured in several incidents of scuffle in Kannur district. A case has been registered against five people for allegedly assaulting a civil police officer during the celebration at Kochi’s Kaloor Junction. A police officer was injured in Thiruvananthapuram district’s Pozhiyur area when an inebriated man attacked him during a big screen telecast of the World Cup final.
