Argentine law enforcement arrested at least 15 individuals in Buenos Aires late Sunday night after riots erupted following Argentina’s loss in the FIFA World Cup final.
The chaos unfolded around midnight at Buenos Aires’ Obelisk, the city’s central plaza that has historically served as the main gathering point for fans of Argentina’s national soccer team.
Argentina, the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions, lost the 2026 final against Spain after Ferran Torres scored a deadlock-breaking goal at the match’s 106th minute, leading his country to a thrilling 1-0 extra time win.
What began as a peaceful gathering of Argentine fans—including families with children—at the Obelisk turned violent minutes before midnight.
Rioters began throwing objects at police and attempted to breach a protective fence, sparking intense clashes with law enforcement.
Rioters threw glass bottles and other objects at law enforcement agents, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.
The Argentine outlet Infobae reported that a riot police water cannon truck moved through the nearby streets to disperse the rioters and reduce their numbers.
Law enforcement’s advance not only dispersed the riots but brought the initially peaceful gathering to an end within twenty minutes.
The majority of the scattered rioters reportedly managed to flee in several directions.
Infobae, citing official police information, reported that seven Argentine police officials suffered multiple injuries during the clashes.
Several civilians were also injured during the violence—including a man who was kicked in the face by another person who ran past. The injured man was reportedly carried away by some of the participating rioters.
According to the Argentine news channel Todo Noticias, prior to the riots, the mood at the Obelisk was described as full of “sadness and pride” over Argentina’s defeat at the World Cup final.
“The fans sang and jumped to the beat of the bass drums, paying special tribute to Lionel Messi, who appeared frustrated following the defeat at MetLife Stadium,” Todo Noticias reported.
Todo Noticias reported that there were other gatherings across several other Buenos Aires neighborhoods on Sunday in addition to the main one at the Obelisk. At press time, there were no reports of violence at the other gatherings.
🔴 AHORA | Incidentes en el Obelisco https://t.co/2JLP7R4gg0 pic.twitter.com/NZ0RES9Uic
— TN – Todo Noticias (@todonoticias) July 20, 2026
