'This is Kansas City, not Miami' - Argentina fans' Lionel Messi pilgrimage turns America's heartland into a full-blown party with banderazo, all-night events and costly tickets

Key Points:

• In Kansas City's Mill Creek Park and Plaza neighborhood, hundreds of passionate Argentina fans gathered for a "banderazo," a coordinated flag-waving and singing event celebrating Argentina's World Cup opener and Lionel Messi's likely final tournament.
• Many fans made significant financial sacrifices, including selling cars and taking out loans, to attend the World Cup, while some found creative ways to secure cheaper tickets, expressing frustration with FIFA and corporate greed.
• Despite the unity around Argentina's national team, longstanding club rivalries, particularly between Boca Juniors and River Plate supporters, created a factional atmosphere among fans.
• The World Cup opener against Algeria saw a tense moment when Algeria scored, but the goal was disallowed by VAR, and Messi then scored a hat trick, leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory and energizing the large Argentine fanbase present.
• Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and Messi both praised the fans for their unwavering support, highlighting the crucial role of the crowd in lifting the team during challenging moments as Argentina aims to defend their World Cup title.