Soccer fans pack Ottawa bars for World Cup final
With the weight of a nation on his back, Messi found a moment of magic to carry Argentina past France to claim the world cup title. At Ottawa's Queen Street Fare, fans were overcome with emotion.
“For us it’s everything. I can’t believe it,” said Rodrigo Salamnciu. Holding back tears, he hugged those around him and taking in what could be Messi's last appearance in the World Cup. “Messi is the best player in the world.”
It was a similar scene over at Glebe Central Pub where fans packed the room. Some supporters braved the cold weather sitting out on the patio pulling up a seat to witness this world cup final.
“I guess Argentina deserves it, but my oh my, why couldn’t France win two world cups in a row?” said Maz Atta, who was hoping France would pull through with a win.
The crowded bars and restaurants these last four weeks are a preview of what's to come in 2026 when Canada plays one of the hosts to the next World Cup.
“Game after game we had huge turnouts, it didn’t matter who was playing,” said Glebe Central Pub general manager David Hanna. “It was an unbelievable experience.”
“It’s the happiest day of my life,” said Pablo Zysman, who FaceTimed with his father and sister in Argentina at Queen Street Fare. “I wish I could share this moment with them, but I do have my son and my wife here.”
While Zysman wished he was there in person, he was ecstatic to celebrate this special moment surrounded by his fellow countrymen here in the nation's capital.
Celebrating along side his 10 year old son Diego, Zysman is planning to update the tattoo on his leg, adding a third star to the Argentinian crest.
“We’re all so proud and this team deserved it. All Argentinians deserve it,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I'm a Canadian': MP named in foreign interference report speaks out, refutes claims
The Liberal MP who allegedly benefitted from Chinese election interference is speaking out against the report, categorically stating the foreign government did not help him in his nomination campaign.

Uber says Ottawa has the worst passengers in Canada
According to new data released by Uber on Tuesday, Ottawa has the worst average rider rating in the country, followed by Toronto and Montreal.
Researchers have created a way to cloak artwork so that it can’t be used to train AI
Researchers at the University of Chicago have made a tool called Glaze which, once applied to a piece of artwork, means that artwork can’t be read and reproduced by AI tools that scrape art online to replicate their style.
So many doctors are being driven away by Idaho abortion ban that this hospital can’t deliver babies anymore
An Idaho hospital has announced that it will no longer be able to deliver babies because the state’s near-total abortion ban — one of the most extreme in the U.S. — has driven so many doctors away.
'A very, very difficult odour': Senate adjourns early after foul smell in the building disrupts proceedings
The Senate adjourned early on Tuesday afternoon after a foul smell in the building caused headaches in the chamber and disrupted proceedings.
Nordstrom liquidation sales underwhelm Canadians as most items marked down 5 per cent
The first day of Nordstrom's liquidation sale began on Tuesday, but some shoppers walked away underwhelmed, as most items were only marked down five per cent.
Second body recovered from Old Montreal building destroyed by fire
Montreal police confirmed Tuesday evening that a second body has been recovered from the building in Old Montreal that was destroyed by a fire last week.
Trump's potential indictment caps decades of legal scrutiny
For 40 years, former President Donald Trump has navigated countless legal investigations without ever facing criminal charges. That record may soon come to an end.
Via Rail apologizes after Muslim man told not to pray at Ottawa train station
Via Rail is apologizing after a Muslim man was told he couldn't pray at the Ottawa train station.