Gasps gave way to expressions of astonishment and then tears as Argentinian fans gathered in Buenos Aires to watch their soccer team humble themselves at the World Cup in Qatar.

“It was a blow, a bucket full of ice cold water,” said Carlos Cuera, 26, of the 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia.

He was still sitting in front of a cafe TV where fans dressed in their team’s white and blue colors gathered before 7am for the breakfast game in the Argentine capital.

“Nobody expected it. We thought the first three games would be easy wins and now it has become more complicated,” he said, adding that the defeat increased the pressure ahead of Saturday’s clash with Mexico.

It was one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history for Lionel Messi’s Argentina side, who ended a winning streak that included last year’s Copa America championship.

The proud, football-loving nation entered the World Cup as favorites eight years after reaching the final.

But Buenos Aires quickly resumed its normal frenzy as desperate fans headed to their offices.

On central Corrientes Street, not far from the city’s towering obelisk, a coffee shop had set up a screen on the sidewalk, prompting delivery men, taxis and even bus drivers to slow as they passed in the hope of another destination.

Pilates instructor Lena Widgren, 50, said she’s heard it’s “an easy game”.

But she noted that when Argentina face a draw or a loss in a World Cup match, “their energy levels drop a bit, they lack the fire”.

The day started better than it ended. The fans jumped from their chairs in jubilation when Messi scored from the penalty spot in the 10th minute.

“I’m very sad, really. The game started with such euphoria, with so much will to win, and suddenly the game turned around,” said Llanca Salvi, a 26-year-old visual artist, who added that she didn’t know much about football.

But it was about “the feeling of being Argentinian, of going out to party”.

The fans joined in with a cascade of insults as three first-half goals were annulled for offside involving VAR. Norberto Protzmann told AFP he sat in “terror” in the second half.

“We underestimated them a bit too much and they dominated us in the second half,” he said.

“The players were too confident while the opposing team put their lives into every move because they knew they were dealing with a great team. And it worked well for her.”

Gustavo Leal, 75, complained about the use of VAR, saying “football with technology isn’t football anymore”.

“This World Cup needs (Diego) Maradona,” he said, referring to the Argentine soccer star who died in 2020.

But he remained optimistic.

“The first game is as tough as the last. I trust him,” he said of coach Lionel Scaloni, adding that he was a “considered guy who knows how to lead the team”.

Now all eyes are on Saturday’s game against Mexico to see if the side can turn their fortunes around.

“Mexico are a very difficult team and it was always difficult for Argentina,” said Protzmann.

“If we don’t put our lives in every game, we won’t win, especially against Mexico.”