Spain soccer fans rejoice at Central Park viewing party after World Cup victory

Jubilation and agony were on full display. As the final whistle sounded, Spain soccer fans jumped up and down and waved their country’s flag. Argentina fans solemnly put their heads down and began exiting Central Park.

Roughly 10 miles from Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, an announced sellout crowd of 50,000 fans reacted to Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina on the Great Lawn in Central Park. Unlike the 80,663 fans who paid top dollar to get into MetLife, though, they watched for free across the three massive screens installed on the Great Lawn.

“What I wanted the whole World Cup,” Jai Jackson, 25, of West Hempstead, said of the environment in Central Park. “I wanted to come to something like this, and I got it.”

There was a good split between Spain, Argentina and casual fans, with the environment feeling like a live standing-room-only ticket at a stadium. Those in attendance were awarded tickets via a lottery system.

Most stood within viewing distance of one of the giant screens; some sat at tables, on picnic blankets or in shade under trees. Free water and misting stations helped fans stay cool and hydrated, and concession stands offered food and drinks.

The majority in attendance with a rooting interest were wearing an Argentina Lionel Messi or a Spain Lamine Yamal jersey.

Haider Abbasi, a 20-year-old from Virginia, made the trip to New York to cheer on the 19-year-old Yamal, his favorite player.

“Central Park is huge,” Abbasi said of why he attended the watch party, “and that’s where all the people are at.”

Jackson, like Abbasi, favors Yamal and was pulling for Spain because he supports FC Barcelona, Yamal’s club team in Spain’s professional league, La Liga.

However, while Yamal and Spain controlled most of the game, Spain couldn’t break through until the second half of extra time, when Ferran Torres scored what proved to be the winner in the 106th minute.

Up until Torres’ goal, there was a palpable anxiety brewing as Spain supporters wondered when they’d finally break through and Argentina fans kept wondering if they could hold on to force penalty kicks.

“I was very nervous . . . very nervous,” Jackson said.

Finally, Torres made the seemingly inevitable happen. Right after Torres’ goal, Spain fans began spraying their drinks up in the air and jumping up and down.

Argentina supporters still held on to hope. At one point, a group formed a prayer circle, but an equalizer never came.

After the match, Spain supporters lingered to hug loved ones, dancing to music and celebrating their nation’s second World Cup title.

“It was amazing,” Abbasi said. “I loved the experience.”