Desperate Argentina fans were observed running across a 10-lane New Jersey highway on Sunday in a high-stakes attempt to reach the World Cup final on time. The hazardous crossing occurred as travel to MetLife Stadium was significantly disrupted.
A group of approximately a dozen fans were seen navigating busy traffic lanes with the stadium in sight. Their actions followed severe weather that impacted the region in the preceding day, causing widespread travel difficulties.
Vehicles were forced to slow down and stop to allow the fans to cross the highway safely. While traffic conditions outside the stadium appeared relatively light on Sunday, the motivation for the fans' dangerous maneuver remains unclear.
Over 80,000 spectators were expected at MetLife Stadium for the final match between Argentina and Spain. The tournament has been marked by weather-related disruptions, including game delays due to extreme heat and lightning warnings. Doubts were also cast over the kick-off time for the final itself.
The day before the final, New York City streets experienced flooding due to heavy rainfall, creating chaotic conditions for commuters and travelers. Reports indicated submerged cars and pedestrians navigating chest-high water in some areas. Between two and four inches of rain were recorded, accompanied by a tornado warning.
A flood watch was in effect for parts of northeastern New Jersey and New York City until 2 a.m. Sunday. Although the most intense rain moved out by Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service cautioned about the potential for further storms producing rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour.
Despite the potential impact on fan attendance, the final match itself was expected to proceed without weather-related delays. The severe weather from Saturday left a trail of disruption, exacerbating travel problems for the thousands arriving in the New York and New Jersey area.
Major airports, including LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark, experienced widespread flight delays and cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration issued ground stops at these airports until at least 5 p.m. ET on Saturday due to thunderstorms. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway was also flooded, stranding drivers and leading to emergency situations as water levels rose.