Argentina lauds united footballers in divided crisis-riven country

For the last month, Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates have brought success and unity to their fans, in stark contrast to the country's economic woes and polarized political landscape.

Years of economic crisis weighs heavily on the daily lives of people in a country where some 40 percent live in poverty as rampant inflation and a depreciating currency have decimated ordinary people's savings and purchasing power.

And yet on Sunday the whole country was draped in the national blue and white colours as political and sporting rivalries were put to one side and 45 million people celebrated a first World Cup success in 36 years.

But experts say the elation will not last.

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"What happens is that sport, and particularly football in Argentina, has the ability to unite us through emotion, and that is very important in terms of national symbolism," sociologist Rodrigo Daskal told AFP.

"But that does not mean that it can be effectively transferable to other fields."

'United we can achieve much more'

During Sunday's match, supporters of bitter city rivals such as Boca Juniors and River Plate in Buenos Aires, or Rosario's Newell's Old Boys and Rosario Central, stood shoulder to shoulder during the thrilling and at times torturous penalty shoot-out victory over France in Qatar.

"This passion and this unity, hopefully it will serve as an example for the future and to make us realize that we are better together," said fullback Nicolas Tagliafico.

The team's success and their tangible togetherness has created a sense of hope amongst some Argentines.

"It's not about forgetting our problems, it's about reminding us that we can unite, and when we're united