Silvina Ackerman, 53, of Lutz, center, waves an Argentinan flag during a watch party for the match between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar semifinals at Loretta's Brunch restaurant in Tampa on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Tampa World Cup fans cheer on Argentina and Messi, in semifinals

Loretta’s Brunch restaurant hosted watch parties for the community.
Silvina Ackerman, 53, of Lutz, center, waves an Argentinan flag during a watch party for the match between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar semifinals at Loretta's Brunch restaurant in Tampa on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. [ IVY CEBALLO | Times ]
Loretta’s Brunch restaurant hosted watch parties for the community.
By
Published Dec. 14, 2022

Cheering soccer fans, some standing shoulder to shoulder in a crowded room, celebrated as Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 during a watch party at Loretta’s Brunch restaurant in Tampa on Tuesday. Argentina moves on to represent Latin America in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar’s final match on Sunday.

Fans of professional soccer player Lionel Messi and Argentina have been gathering at Loretta’s Brunch, a family-owned Argentinian restaurant, for watch parties during World Cup matches.

“We opened the business three months ago and I’m proud to host the Tampa community. We are Argentinan but fans from countries including Mexico, Colombia and others have joined us,” owner Valeria Armando said in Spanish. “I’m grateful for all the nationalities and the Tampa community.”

A chalk display highlights menu items and promotes "the best Argentinan food" above a Qatar 2022 World Cup banner adorning the exterior of Loretta's Brunch restaurant.
A chalk display highlights menu items and promotes "the best Argentinan food" above a Qatar 2022 World Cup banner adorning the exterior of Loretta's Brunch restaurant.
A fan arrives after the Argentina vs Croatia match began at the World Cup watch party.
A fan arrives after the Argentina vs Croatia match began at the World Cup watch party.
Arturo Lazaro, 49, who used the jersey on his head to cover part of his face during moments of the match, keeps his eyes on the big screen.
Arturo Lazaro, 49, who used the jersey on his head to cover part of his face during moments of the match, keeps his eyes on the big screen.
Loretta's Brunch owner Valeria Armando, 49, who is wearing Argentina's national soccer team's away jersey which is purple, hugs a customer as she makes her way around the restaurant.
Loretta's Brunch owner Valeria Armando, 49, who is wearing Argentina's national soccer team's away jersey which is purple, hugs a customer as she makes her way around the restaurant.
From left to right: Austin Minacapelli, 21, Valeria Armando, 49, Agustina Baricalla, 16, Noelani Minacapelli, 18, and Cristian Minacapelli, 50, react after professional soccer player Julian Alvarez scored Argentina's third goal during their family run restaurants’ watch party for the match between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar semifinals. Armando owns and operates the business with her husband Cristian and their adult children; Baricalla, who is Cristian’s niece, provided additional help serving customers during the watch party.
From left to right: Austin Minacapelli, 21, Valeria Armando, 49, Agustina Baricalla, 16, Noelani Minacapelli, 18, and Cristian Minacapelli, 50, react after professional soccer player Julian Alvarez scored Argentina's third goal during their family run restaurants’ watch party for the match between Argentina and Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar semifinals. Armando owns and operates the business with her husband Cristian and their adult children; Baricalla, who is Cristian’s niece, provided additional help serving customers during the watch party.
Fans of Argentina's national soccer team embrace after the team defeated Croatia in a semifinal match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar at the watch party.
Fans of Argentina's national soccer team embrace after the team defeated Croatia in a semifinal match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar at the watch party.
An Argentinan fag seen on the exterior of Loretta's Brunch restaurant.
An Argentinan fag seen on the exterior of Loretta's Brunch restaurant.
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Marilu Perrotta, 54, of Tampa, argues a point while watching the Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar during the watch party.
Marilu Perrotta, 54, of Tampa, argues a point while watching the Argentina vs Croatia semifinal match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar during the watch party.
Mia Mittag, 11, of Tampa, smiles while dancing with her mother during the halftime break of the semifinal match watch party. Music replaced the sound of the announcer during the break and some party goers danced together.
Mia Mittag, 11, of Tampa, smiles while dancing with her mother during the halftime break of the semifinal match watch party. Music replaced the sound of the announcer during the break and some party goers danced together.
Gabriel Bonserio, 50, of Tampa, grabs his head while watching the Argentina vs Croatia FIFA World Cup semifinal match.
Gabriel Bonserio, 50, of Tampa, grabs his head while watching the Argentina vs Croatia FIFA World Cup semifinal match.
Professional soccer player and Argentina's national soccer team captain Lionel Messi is seen reacting after defeating Croatia on a screen at the semifinal FIFA World Cup Qatar watch party. “It’s the second time he’s going to the finals, we’ve always waited for him to win,” fan, Roberto Muñoz, said.
Professional soccer player and Argentina's national soccer team captain Lionel Messi is seen reacting after defeating Croatia on a screen at the semifinal FIFA World Cup Qatar watch party. “It’s the second time he’s going to the finals, we’ve always waited for him to win,” fan, Roberto Muñoz, said.
Marilu Perrotta, 54, of Tampa, carries her granddaughter as she returns to her seat during the watch party.
Marilu Perrotta, 54, of Tampa, carries her granddaughter as she returns to her seat during the watch party.
Rocio Villanueva, 39, of Clermont, who arrived at the watch party after work in Tampa, cheers when Argentina defeated Croatia to move on to compete in the finals for the sixth time in the national team's history.
Rocio Villanueva, 39, of Clermont, who arrived at the watch party after work in Tampa, cheers when Argentina defeated Croatia to move on to compete in the finals for the sixth time in the national team's history.
Fans react to a goal by professional soccer player Julian Alvarez, which he scored after Argentina team captain Lionel Messi's first penalty goal, during the watch party.
Fans react to a goal by professional soccer player Julian Alvarez, which he scored after Argentina team captain Lionel Messi's first penalty goal, during the watch party.
Up next:Lionel Messi, Argentina beat Croatia to reach World Cup final

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