When Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel made a game-winning penalty kick in the 2022 World Cup, Lusail Stadium erupted into a frenzy of screams heard worldwide. But it wasn’t that final goal, the players running emotionally to hug each other, or the blaring crowd that stole the telecasted show. It was Telemundo announcer Andrés Cantor that went viral as Argentina ended the match with a 4-2 victory.
As the winning moment unfolded, Cantor, born in Buenos Aires, broke into a heartfelt cry during the telecast. Among the crowd’s screams, you can hear the announcer — known for his signature “GOOOOOLLLLLL” — grasping for air during the emotional call. “Argentina is the world champion,” he repeats in Spanish. This was the first time that Argentina won in Cantor’s announcing career, which reportedly includes covering the event since 1990.
For our communities watching fútbol in the United States, the emblematic voice of the Argentine commentator has become synonymous with the sport.
But this was the first time many fans heard him react like this — and his sentimental game-winning call immediately went viral. “My heart is with the Argentinian Telemundo announcer,” wrote one user, while another added, “Someone hug Andres Cantor, the Argentine Telemundo announcer currently bawling his eyes out.”
Fútbol fans expressed that Cantor’s reaction is representative of the passion behind the sport.
Argentina cemented its name in the history books with its hard-fought victory over the defending World Cup champions, 3-3 (4-2 in penalty kicks). The win marked Lionel Messi’s first World Cup Finals victory in his illustrious career.