Local fans feel ‘Spanish euphoria’

Chants of “Olé, Olé, Olé, Olé” and “where is Messi?” could be heard echoing through Winnipeg’s downtown as Spain defeated Argentina in extra time to become World Cup Champions on Sunday.

What one World Cup announcer dubbed “Spanish euphoria,” was certainly on full display at True North Square on Hargrave Street where more than 500 people gathered to take in the tournament’s conclusion and celebrate the sport, which is quickly becoming Canada’s new game.

“Go Spain,” Cole Lacap, yelled at the top of his lungs after he watched Ferran Torres’ score the goal that would take Spain to a 1 – 0 victory over Argentina and send Spanish fans in Winnipeg into a frenzy.

“It was amazing. Spain definitely deserved that,” said Lacap, who had the red and yellow Spanish flag gripped tightly for much of the game.

Living in Barcelona for a year in 2014 and die hard fan since 2010, the last time Spain won the World Cup, with a huge smile on his face, he kept it humble.

“All respect to Lionel Messi and Argentina, they obviously deserved to be at the final. At the end of the day, we’re all winners and it’s just a great came to go and watch.”

One of the dozens dealing with heat that climbed to 38 C with the humidex, Lacap said Canada’s role as World Cup host and its strong showing on soccer’s world stage have elevated the country to a new level.

“I think it brought a lot of eyes and a lot of new fans to the sport,” he said.

Canada had its best showing ever in World Cup 2026, as the team logged its first two wins in FIFA history, defeating Qatar 6 – 0 and South Africa 1-0, making it to the knockout round before being eliminated by Morocco 3-0 on July 4.

Vancouver and Toronto hosted a total of 13 games over the course of the tournament, the final of which took place in New Jersey and was watched on the big screen in the heart of Winnipeg’s downtown over the weekend, which Spanish fan Adeebah Osman said was also a celebration of diversity.

“We’re including everybody,” she said of the gathering.

“I just love the energy here,” said friend and fellow Spain fan Nikki Moore.

David Lado, sporting an Argentina jersey, didn’t let his disappointment show after Spain took the lead in Sunday’s final, saying it’s not all about the scoreboard.

“At the end of the day, people are rooting for separate teams, but we’re all for the same game and I think that’s a beautiful thing.”

Rooting for Spain to honour his Spanish grandfather, Alexis Labra said he’s glad to see favoured Argentina get toppled by an underdog.

“I’ve been waiting for anybody to beat Argentina for the last few years,” he said, noting while he’s glad two Spanish-speaking teams made the final, “the better team won.”

He expects the sport to continue to grow in the country, calling Canada’s overall participation “fantastic.”

“It’s great for the game in Canada,” he said.

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Raouf Elnagar, a life-long Messi fan, said he was adopted by the Spanish fans at Sunday’s event when the conclusion of the match drew near, red and yellow face paint on his cheeks a sharp contrast to the blue-and-white jersey he donned.

“I wouldn’t say no. I can’t say no,” he said.

He actually attended the match between Colombia and Switzerland in Vancouver on July 7 and had also taken in some world cup festivities in Calgary, but said he was glad to take in the final in Winnipeg.

“It was incredible,” he said. “I didn’t know Winnipeg celebrated sports like this, so to see this, it’s incredible. I love how they’re celebrating and bringing soccer to North America.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca

Morgan Modjeski
Reporter Signal

Morgan Modjeski is a news reporter and multimedia producer for the Free Press.  Read more about Morgan.

Every piece of reporting Morgan produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.