With the nation teetering on the brink of default amid major inflation pressures at home and growing poverty (and Kirchner facing pressure into next year's election), today's loss in the FIFA World Cup final appears to have lit the blue touch paper. As RT reports, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse angry fans in Buenos Aires. Following the mass gathering around the Obelisk during the game, fans clashed with riot police as the loss sunk in. There are no reports of civilian injuries but 8 police were hurt. Rio has also seen violence between Argentina fans and others (and Brazil's Rousseff has issued a calming statement).
As AP reports, [8]
Riot police are firing tear gas and using water cannons to restrain a group of youth who are hurling rocks and vandalizing stores at a rally in Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina's gutsy performance in a 1-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup finals.
Parents with young children could be seen running down streets after police, who at first remained on the sidelines, tried to take back the area near the city's iconic Obelisk after 9 p.m. local time.
Local media reported 8 police officers were injured in violence late Sunday.
The disturbances came after thousands of Argentines gathered peacefully at the Obelisk with families and neighbors to applaud Argentina's best World Cup performance in 24 years.
The Obelisk where fans watched the game...
"que pasó argentina, se les fue el internet?" no es que estábamos festejando en el obelisco visteSSSSS pic.twitter.com/xDnPYcpJtv [9]
— fuck you vos (@acrossthey) July 14, 2014 [10]
Has become a riot zone...
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And even in Rio there were problems after the match...
#URGENTE [13] #BRA [14] #RIO [15] #COPACABANA [16] Hinchas de #BRA [14] agreden a #ARG [17] y les piden que se vayan del pais (Foto #VIVO [18]) pic.twitter.com/ryedJnFYYv [19]
— Infomedia Argentina (@InfoMedia24hrs) July 14, 2014 [20]
Perhaps fearing the same in Brazil, President Rousseff issued a 'calming' statement:
A letter written by Brazil's President Dilma Roussef was released on Sunday, suggesting the national soccer team to "take advantage of the lessons learned in the tournament to improve more our football, both inside and outside the stadiums."
The letter refers to the team's disappointing performance in the match against Germany, where Brazil was defeated with a score of 7-1, as well as in the 3-0 defeat against the Netherlands in the third-place match. Afterwards, the Brazilian team was harshly criticized by experts and fans.
Rousseff's message began saying that both the national team and the country's football "are greater than any other fleeting result."
"What will stay stronger in the heart of our people are the moments of joy that you gave us in this World Cup and that will certainly guarantee us future championships," the letter said.
"Everyone of us, without exception, will know how to take advantage of the lessons learned to improve even more our football, both inside and outside the stadiums," she added.
Rousseff affirmed that "we, the Brazilians, did not raise the trophy, but we made the Cup of the cups. Without you, this would not have been possible."
"Our love and our gratitude for you," said the letter.
