Power and Light fans witness a Messi masterpiece in Kansas City’s World Cup game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Power and Light filled with hundreds of fans for Argentina vs Algeria watch party.
- Lionel Messi scored a hat trick, and KC Live erupted after each goal.
- The next Soccer in the City watch party is Wednesday for England vs Croatia at 3 p.m.
Fans sat for hours in Power and Light waiting for the kickoff of Kansas City’s first FIFA World Cup game, in which Argentina took on Algeria.
While the Power & Light District was quiet for the Norway and Iraq game earlier in the day, soon the district would see hundreds of fans head to the watch party for the first game held on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Despite Algeria becoming the local darlings of Lawrence, KC Live! in the Power & Light District was a sea of blue and white for a Lionel Messi masterpiece.
Victorio Glenn, a Kansas City native, attended the game with a friend of his from Ecuador. Having spent five years in Kansas City, Glenn relished the opportunity to watch his favorite team play. Glenn was confident that he would see a Messi goal in the game, and he saw more than one.
The early minutes were tense with disallowed goals for both teams, but then came Messi.
Every time the Argentine legend scored during his hat trick, fans erupted in KC Live!, even when they were ruled offsides. The only cheer that may have been louder than the three goals, may have been during the brief on-screen cameo of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“My GOAT scored,” Argentina fan Edward Banks said. “It’s a great atmosphere down here at Power and Light ... just shows how far soccer really goes.”
Crowds lined every step, railing and visible spot in the venue to get a site of the game without a diminishing crowd as the game stretched just past 10 p.m.
In between halves, KC Live was a dance party. Fans sang along and waved flags for both Argentina and Algeria to songs such as Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
“Just shows how far soccer really (has come),” Banks said.
Despite the game ending, crowds didn’t seem to want to leave as the music continued from the stage and fans celebrated the victory.
“It’s cool because the World Cup’s here in my hometown,” Ryan Ortiz said. “I’m pretty excited. It’s pretty energetic because the match (was) here. It’s so different.”
The Soccer in the City watch parties will continue throughout the World Cup for fans who don’t want to make their way to other venues such as Fan Fest. The next watch party is set for Wednesday, with England taking on Croatia. The venue opens at 1 p.m., before the start of the game at 3 p.m.
