Argentina riot police clash with fans after World Cup loss (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
Disturbances have taken place in Buenos Aires after Argentina's national team lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Germany. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse angry fans.
Read more: Germany wins World Cup after 1-0 victory over Argentina (PHOTOS)
The clashes occurred in the center of the Argentinian capital, near the landmark Obelisk of Buenos Aires, where thousands of people peacefully gathered earlier to cheer for their team.
Violentos en Buenos Aires provocan incidentes en festejos post Mundial (FOTOS) http://t.co/DbDGDRq95Jpic.twitter.com/bj2DBRs9DD
— Noticias Sin Censura (@NoticiasSOSVzla) July 14, 2014
The violence erupted when a group of 15 football fans climbed onto a TV news van and ripped off the antenna. The situation then further deteriorated as youths hurled rocks and vandalized stores in the city center after the World Cup loss.
Elsewhere in the Argentine capital, disgruntled fans set fire to trash cans and blocked roads with makeshift barricades.
More than 30 people were detained and some 20 injured – 15 of them police – Telam news agency reported, citing police sources.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of similar disturbances in San Miguel – a northwest region of Greater Buenos Aires. Police detained five people there. Violence also broke out in the city of La Plata where police reportedly detained 10 people for disturbing the peace.
Despite the late Sunday clashes, the majority of Argentinians
have accepted the loss with dignity. Earlier in the evening,
thousands of fans came to the Obelisk monument, waving the
national flag determined to party in celebrate reaching the World
Cup final.
"I feel proud to be Argentine. To wear this shirt on the day
of a final is priceless," university student Marcelo Dailoff
told Reuters. "The players brought joy to Argentina after so
long. Quite simply, thank you."
"The players put everything into the game, their hearts and
souls. They lost the best way possible, not like Brazil who were
smashed to smithereens," 32-year-old Lorena Hak told the
news agency.