NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque fans gather for World Cup final watch party
Sunward hosted a watch party at Winrock Town Center, drawing Argentina and Spain supporters while raising funds for the Somos Unidos Foundation
For Sunday's World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina, Jeff Eccleston had a clear favorite in mind.
鈥淚鈥檓 rooting for Argentina, I like Messi,鈥� Eccleston said.
Eccleston proudly wore his blue and white soccer jersey, while his children, Payton and Eli, wore Spain jerseys to show their support to right winger Lamine Yamal.
The Ecclestons were just one of the many families in attendance at the World Cup final watch party hosted by Sunward at Winrock Town Center. Spain ultimately prevailed 1-0.
鈥淲e wanted to be with a crowd and have the energy instead of watching it at home,鈥� Eccleston said.
The event brought a vibrant mix of supporters from Argentina and Spain, though the Spain fans dominated the atmosphere, filling the space with constant noise and cheers.
鈥淚鈥檓 rooting for Spain, my son is Spanish and he was back in Spain about two years ago,鈥� said Anthony Cordova, draped in a vibrant red and yellow scarf.
鈥淚 was stationed over there in the military as well, so vamos Espa帽a,鈥� Cordova said.
The watch party featured music before kickoff, food trucks and a "Beat the Goalie" challenge. Sunward donated $5 to the Somos Unidos Foundation for each goal a participant scored. Before the game even started, 35 goals had been scored.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool to have unique activities for people to show up for the foundation that aren鈥檛 just traditional fundraising, 鈥� said Sophia Smith, executive director of Somos Unidos Foundation.
The funds raised support various foundation programs, including scholarships for the USL Academy team and medical and soccer clinics throughout the state, Smith said.
With the score 1-0 in favor of Spain with time winding down, Argentina fans at the watch party started to look anxiously toward the screen. Spain fans flashed their flags and jerseys proudly as the game came to an end.
鈥淭his was a great World Cup,鈥� Cordova said. 鈥淚t brought the world together.鈥�
Karmina Conde is a news reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at kconderuiz@abqjournal.com
