Nicolas Montez could tell from the roar coming from inside the Lusail Stadium that Lionel Messi had scored the opening goal in Argentina’s FIFA World Cup semi-final triumph on Tuesday.
One of thousands of ticketless fans stood outside, the Argentine said it would never have been so loud for anyone else.
“If it was Croatia, there would have been silence. Everyone in there is for Messi,” said the 29-year-old, who was wearing the No. 10 Messi shirt in Argentina’s sky blue and white colors that is seen everywhere in Doha.
Photo: AFP
“This is the first Argentina game I could not get a ticket for,” said Santino Rosa, another Albiceleste fanatic. “I am miserable not to be inside, but at least being here I know before the others that goals have been scored — and it is even better if Messi has one.”
More than 35,000 Argentina fans are reported to have been in Qatar for the World Cup and many have stayed to see out the campaign and be in the city if Messi does finally win the trophy.
Many could not get tickets for the semi-final, instead gathering at big screens across Doha.
Argentine fans have set up WhatsApp groups to track available tickets and even find accommodation for those in need.
“If we hear of a ticket we try to help others, but it was difficult for today, there were many disappointed fans and it will be even worse for the final,” Montez said.
The crowd outside the stadium grew as the match wore on.
Local families with children, all wearing the blue and white shirts or Argentine flags painted on their cheeks, also stared up at the stadium with the hard core who traveled from South America. Some watched the game on mobile phones. Street traders started to gather selling Argentina and Croatia scarves, but struggled to find buyers.
Fifteen-year-olds Aisha and Haya carried blue and white pom-poms to go with their shirts and waved their arms furiously as Julian Alvarez’s goals were announced by further eruptions inside the stadium.
“We only really discovered football with the World Cup, but we know Messi is special,” Aisha said.
“It is impossible to get tickets now, but we will be out again for the final,” Haya added.
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