Argentina has been crowned the new World Cup champion. The national team, led by soccer star Lionel Messi, won the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Sunday (Dec. 18) on penalty kicks over France. The last team standing from Latin America, La Albiceleste took home the trophy after a riveting match against the 2018 World Cup champions. The last time Argentina won a World Cup was 36 years ago in 1986.
The tournament was a wild ride for Argentina, who started in November losing against Saudi Arabia 2-1. But in a 360, the team won the rest of their matches against Mexico, Poland and Australia. Lastly, they beat Croatia and headed to the final match, which was played at Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
And in keeping with Argentina’s big splash the team had a big star singing the country’s national anthem. Singer/actress Lali Esposito, a huge soccer fan who’s been cheering Argentina in Qatar for several days, did the honors, dressed in a stunning black evening gown.
“This is the biggest thing I could have ever dreamt of, and you know I’ve always dreamt big,” she wrote in an Instagram post that’s received over 2 million likes.
In celebration of Argentina’s big win, we put together a list of other Argentine “anthems” that includes Andrés Calamaro‘s “Maradona” to Fito Paez‘s “Y dale alegría a mi corazón.” Of course, Messi’s now-confirmed favorite song, La Mosca‘s “Muchachos, Ahora Nos Volvimos a Ilusionar,” powered by a blend of ska, rock and pop, laced with tango, is on the playlist. The song not only pumps Messi but also Argentine fans who are just as passionate about the sport.
“The Argentine fan isn’t happy just being a spectator; he wants a starring role, from the stands, from the audience,” La Mosca’s lead singer Guillermo Novellispreviously told Billboard. “As far as soccer goes, every single person in Argentina has played soccer at some point in their lives.
Stream the playlist below in honor of Argentina’s victory over France:
