Lionel Scaloni's men were now expected around 00:30 local time (03:30 GMT) at Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires, according to a new schedule announced by the airline Aerolineas Argentinas.

After a few hours of rest at the nearby training center of the Argentine Football Federation (AFA), the appointment is made around midday for a long loop in the city center "to celebrate the world title with the supporters", announced in a tweet the "Seleccion".

The government declared this Tuesday a holiday, thus authorizing a gigantic crowd, which should once again happily exceed one million, to cheer on the returning heroes.

A World Cup with which the players posed on the plane that brought them back to the country, after a technical stopover in Rome, posting the photos on their social media accounts.

Argentinian fans await the arrival of Albiceleste players in their country in Ezeiza, in the province of Buenos Aires, on December 19, 2022 © TOMAS CUESTA / AFP

At dawn in Argentina, the site of the selection had tweeted: "Hello champions! No, it was not a dream!"

On board a white double-decker bus, flocked with three stars, the now Argentine "tri-campeones", will pass by the Obelisk, in the heart of the capital, the center of the celebrations on Sunday after the title.

But an unknown remained on their passage or not on the balcony of the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada, with politicians anxious not to be perceived as profiteers from a sporting success, in a country with ruthless political polarization.

Thousands ready to wait for the night

Already the road authority, Corredores Viales, has made detour arrangements to secure the 32 km of highway between the airport and downtown Buenos Aires, in anticipation of an inevitable rush.

In the afternoon, several thousand supporters in clusters, in families, with tents, camping chairs, parillas, drums - and of course balloons - posted themselves on the wide shaded sides of the route of about ten kilometers between the airport and the AFA.

They are ready to wait for their heroes for a dozen hours, to be the first to see the much-desired golden trophy.

A replica, three meters high, was installed on site, made by workers fans of the Seleccion

Argentinian fans await the arrival of Albiceleste players in their country in Ezeiza, in the province of Buenos Aires, on December 19, 2022 © TOMAS CUESTA / AFP

An impressive cordon of police, with a man installed every 2-3 meters, guarded the perimeter wall of the AFA complex in the event of an overflow, AFP noted.

Many police officers were deployed to ensure a quick trip between the airport and AFA.

In 2021, when returning from the victorious Copa America campaign in Brazil, the bus had taken four hours to cover these few kilometers.

Because among the million supporters who celebrated until late at night in Buenos Aires in an indescribable "alegria" the third world title, many were those resolved to welcome the heroes of Scaloni.

"I will go and welcome them tonight! As soon as they arrive, crowned, we must receive them, and say to them: thank you, guys", assured AFP José Luis Quinoga, 56, near of the Obelisk, on a mild summer morning.

Argentinian fans await the arrival of Albiceleste players in their country in Ezeiza, in the province of Buenos Aires, on December 19, 2022 © TOMAS CUESTA / AFP

"There were no incidents to report. It's very positive how people behaved," a spokesman told AFP.

Less than twenty arrests, for attempted theft or isolated violence, had been reported according to an initial report on Monday, suggesting that if the Argentines know how to win, they also know how to party.

Even if AFP was able to see some damaged windows and degradation around the Obelisk, where the cleaning services were busy.

Thirty-six years after Argentina's last world title (1986), they celebrated the apotheosis for a legendary player: Lionel Messi's Argentina had just won the World Cup by beating France on penalties. (3-3, 4 tab to 2), after one of the greatest matches in the history of football.

The Cup is getting closer, physically

After four failures in a World Cup since 2006, this time it was Messi's evening, at the end of the suspense and a terrible penalty shootout of which the Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero.

This third star for the Albiceleste, after those of the teams of Daniel Passarella (1978) then Diego Maradona (1986), will bear the mark of Messi, named best player of the tournament.

This world title allows him to join in the legend Maradona, "el pibe de Oro".

He also surpasses Pelé, with 13 goals in five editions of football's premier competition, one more than the Brazilian to three world titles.

Argentinian fans await the arrival of Albiceleste players in their country in Ezeiza, in the province of Buenos Aires, on December 19, 2022 © TOMAS CUESTA / AFP

"Eternal Glory", "Thank you, Messi", "World Champions!"

or just "Thank you!"

headlined the Argentine dailies, many of which made special editions, sold out on newsstands in the early hours of the morning.

"The Cup is getting even closer to Argentina", reminded the television channels, listing the hours of the day with special programs, while following the evolution of the flight of the team above the Atlantic.

"Tomorrow people will try to continue this party. It's a joy for all the people. It's our turn, it's our joy", summed up Julio Berdun, 50, receptionist.

"Even if tomorrow we will continue with the same problems, it is a comfort for the soul".

© 2022 AFP