NEW YORK - The streets of New York were awash in blue and white as Argentinians and Spanish fans descended upon the city for the World Cup final. The clash between Spain and Argentina, held across the Hudson River in New Jersey, brought the tournament's fervor back to the heart of Manhattan. Despite the US exit from the tournament, the city saw a resurgence of excitement as fans gathered in iconic locations like Times Square and Central Park.
Eric Centeno, a 42-year-old Spanish fan, shared his joy with AFP, saying, "we've been enjoying the tournament -- and Spain won!" Meanwhile, Argentinian dentist Florencia Luzinin, 30, expressed her disappointment, stating, "we came across a few Spaniards but I don't look at them." Thousands of Argentina supporters, dressed in their nation's colors, filled the tourist hubs of Manhattan, eager to witness the final.
Local enthusiasm for the tournament had waned after the US was eliminated by Belgium on July 6, but the final still drew massive crowds. Despite extreme weather conditions, including storms, flooding, and smoke from Canadian forest fires, fans turned out in force. Penn Station became a sea of Argentine jerseys, many bearing Lionel Messi's name, while Spanish supporters gathered around Madison Square Garden.
The high cost of tickets, with an average price of $11,327, deterred many fans, but those unable to attend the final flocked to watch parties. Global Citizen hosted an all-star show in Central Park, and the American Museum of Natural History offered a unique viewing experience among dinosaur exhibits.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated the tournament's impact on the city, stating, "We said from the beginning that the World Cup belongs to New Yorkers. This summer, we proved it." The final match marked the end of an eventful tournament that, despite challenges, brought the world of soccer to the heart of New York City.
