Riots break out in French cities following France's loss to Argentina in FIFA World Cup

Riots reportedly broke out in several cities in France after the country’s loss to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.

According to reports, thousands of football fans came out in the streets in Paris, Nice and Lyon after Argentina secured a dramatic 4-2 win over France in a penalty shootout.

Thousands of policemen were seen patrolling the streets of Paris. There were reports of clashes between cops and the protestors. Reportedly, law enforcers had to use tear gas to disperse the irate football fans as they started pelting firecrackers at cops.


Armed police resorted to tear gas on Parisian streets after chaos broke out, The Daily Mail reported. Thousands of football fans took to the streets after the match. Riot cops clashed with fans on the famous Champs-Elysees in the French capital as flares were lit up and fireworks hit the skies after the tense game.

Social media users shared videos showing the chaos on the streets of Paris and Lyon as people flee the tear gas shells fired by the cops.

“People had started gathering on the Champs-Elysees even before the start of the World Cup final. Police blocked traffic at the site and near the Arc de Triomphe. Thousands of cops were patrolling Paris but all hell broke loose when France lost the final,” according to a report in Times Now.

On Sunday, Argentina and France drew 3-3 through extra time to set the record. Lionel Messi scored two goals for Argentina and Kylian Mbappe got a hat trick for France - the first in a World Cup final since 1966. Argentina won the title, its third, by prevailing 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

This was the country's third World Cup title since the Diego Maradona-led victory in Mexico City in 1986. Argentina won their maiden FIFA title in 1978.