In Pics | Millions throng Buenos Aires streets to celebrate FIFA World Cup win, hero Messi

Millions of ecstatic fans in Argentina thronged the streets of Buenos Aires and cheered for their heroes -- the World Cup winners led by captain Lionel Messi -- who began their open-top bus parade in the capital after their sensational victory over France at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. However, the victory parade was abruptly cut short as the sea of fans swarmed to pay their respects to the team that brought home the country's first World Cup trophy since 1986.

People poured on to the streets, highways and overpasses to catch a glimpse of the national team. Credit: AFP Photo

Jubilant fans swarmed the capital that hosted a parade to welcome the World Cup champions in an open-air bus. Credit: AFP Photo

The victory parade was abruptly cut short after fans jumped on to the bus. Credit: AFP Photo

The champions were transported to helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade. Credit: AFP Photo

After flying over key points of Buenos Aires where fans had gathered, the helicopters returned to the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association outside the capital. Credit: AFP Photo

Fans of Argentina cheer as the team parades on board a bus in Buenos Aires after winning the World Cup. Credit: AFP Photo

The parade was suspended shortly after two people jumped from a bridge onto the open-top bus carrying the players. Credit: AFP Photo

One made it inside the bus, the other fell onto the pavement. Credit: AP Photo

Toward nightfall, when most of the fans had already poured out of downtown Buenos Aires, there were isolated clashes between a few stragglers and the law enforcement. Credit: AFP Photo