The team had arrived in the early hours of Tuesday at Ezeiza airport. Despite it being around 3am local time (0600 GMT), thousands were waiting with banners, flags and flares and howling with joy after Messi and his team mates ended the country's 36-year wait to win the World Cup.
Italy needed penalties to eliminate England and reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012 on Sunday after the match finished goalless at the end of extra time but any other outcome would have been a travesty.
Polish fans had bittersweet feelings about their quarter-final exit from Euro 2016 on Friday, frustrated by the shootout loss to Portugal but still rejoicing in their team's best run in a major tournament for decades.
Spain's right back Juanfran says his costly penalty shootout miss in Atletico Madrid's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid has made him a better player at Euro 2016. Less than three weeks have passed since the veteran's spot kick hit the post and Cristiano Ronaldo converted the winning penalty for Real Madrid. Juanfran started in Spain's 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Group D on Monday and is expected to be in the line-up again when the champions take on Turkey on Friday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia made three consecutive saves during a penalty shootout for his team to stun the United States 2-1 and secure third place at the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday in Chester, Pennsylvania.
The tears of England's losing players at Wembley were replicated across the nation on Sunday night, mixed in with disappointment and alcohol, after Italy beat Gareth Southgate's young side in a penalty shootout to win Euro 2020.
Images from the FA Cup semi-final match as Arsenal beat Wigan Athletic 4-2 on penalties and enter the final.
Describing it as his 'dream' to stay at Real Madrid for many years to come, star striker Cristiano Ranoldo has reiterated his desire to continue with the Spanish giants following a stellar year for the Portugal forward. "It's my dream to keep playing for Real Madrid and I really want to stay here for many years because the club holds a special place in my heart," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by goal.com.
"Every time Garang touched the ball, he made something happen. The kid's exciting. Everyone can see that. Everyone is buzzing," said Slater, now a media analyst.
Ten days ago John Terry was carried off the pitch with a dislocated shoulder but that will be nothing compared with the pain he will be feeling after missing the chance to win the Champions League for Chelsea.
The mesmerising moments that made the 2018 FIFA World Cup a blockbuster worldwide.
It will be the fifth edition in a row that the two heavyweights have met head to head at a European Championship.
India women claim hockey CWG medal after 16 years
The difference between this side and the under-achieving teams towards the end of Wenger's reign is their experience. Martinelli made his debut in 2019 while Saka has been a regular since the 2019-20 campaign.
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is likely to be out for up to a month with an ankle injury in a further blow to the troubled Premier League champions, British media reported on Friday.
The 20-year-old was jeered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when he tripped over the ball on one of his first touches in the area, but a minute later soaked up the acclaim after slotting home a through ball from Nigerian teenager Kelechi Iheanacho.
France's probable starting line-up for World Cup final
Artem Dovbyk's goal in stoppage time at the end of extra-time earned Ukraine a 2-1 victory over 10-man Sweden in Glasgow on Tuesday and the last available berth in the European Football Championship quarter-finals.
World Champions Australia thrashed India 4-0 to reclaim the Azlan Shah Cup hockey title in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Saturday.
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt said he hopes American sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson can "refocus" and get back on the track after she completes a one-month ban following a positive test for cannabis.
Moments to remember from the quarter-finals.
The Qatar World Cup has delivered a rich feast of soccer for the past month
Paul Pogba faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Monday's Premier League clash against Arsenal
Brazil midfielder Fred, no relation to the veteran striker of the same name who used to play for the same country, has been suspended from South American football for a year for failing a drugs test.
Trezeguet had recently played in the Indian Super League for Pune City FC.
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If Barcelona fail to secure their eighth consecutive UEFA Champions League quarter-final appearance, Lionel Messi's failed penalty at Manchester City on Tuesday could well prove their "what if" moment.
In a thrilling Hero Indian Super League final, ATK Mohun Bagan beat Bengaluru FC via penalties to clinch the ISL title.
The United States triumphed 3-2 following a remarkable sudden-death shootout after the teams finished level at 2-2 after overtime in a thrilling Winter Olympics preliminary game.
Here is a look at some of the key head-to-head duels which could prove decisive.
Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi took great pride in steering his country to victory in Sunday's Copa America final against a team he believes to be the best side in the world with the best player in history.
Croatia came back after conceding in the opening minute to defeat Denmark 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out and earn a World Cup quarter-final berth, after the two sides drew 1-1 in the Round of 16 match on Sunday.
A factbox on Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi
While the Indian women's football team holds the 60th position in the FIFA rankings, the men's team ranks 100.
Spain coach Fernando Hierro said he had no regrets at taking the job two days before the World Cup despite his side's second-round exit at the hands of hosts Russia on Sunday.
Croatia progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup after a second successive penalty shootout on Saturday but their inability to put away another unimpressive team over 90 minutes and extra time is a major worry for the Balkan side.
Sports psychologist Steve Peters has been called on to give England renewed hope at the soccer World Cup having worked wonders for Britain's cyclists at the Olympics and helped Liverpool's Premier League title challenge.
France's ideal scenario will be to contain the Barcelona forward and avoid ending the game on penalties, which are certainly not keeper Hugo Lloris's cup of tea.
Argentina marked the revival of the Cup of Champions in style as an inspired Lionel Messi helped them outclass Italy 3-0 in a heavyweight clash billed as the 'Finalissima' at a raucous Wembley Stadium in London on Wednesday.
