A 46-year-old Argentine man died on Tuesday evening after being struck in the head by a stone during street celebrations in Cañuelas, a town south of Buenos Aires, following Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16. Franco Daniel Depauli was with his family when a brawl broke out among groups of supporters near the intersection of Libertad and 25 de Mayo. Moments earlier, he had recorded a video in which he declared, “We never lost faith,” a phrase that later circulated widely on social media.

According to local authorities and medical sources, Depauli had walked to his parked car to retrieve an item from the boot when he was hit by a stone thrown during the clashes. He collapsed unconscious and was rushed by relatives to the Ángel Marzetti hospital, where he arrived without vital signs. Doctors attempted resuscitation for approximately 50 minutes but were unable to save him; the cause of death was a severe cranial trauma. Police, using municipal security-camera footage, identified and arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Iván Nahuel Lebrero, who has a prior record for robbery. He has been charged with simple homicide, and an autopsy has been ordered.

Conflicting accounts persist over whether Depauli attempted to intervene in the fight. His family has publicly stated that he was not involved in the altercation and was simply at his vehicle when struck. Some Argentine media outlets have reported an unconfirmed hypothesis that the brawl was triggered by the presence of “mecheras” – pickpockets – among the crowd, but investigators have not yet established a definitive motive. Authorities are examining additional witness videos and have appealed for more footage to determine if other individuals threw stones; if multiple assailants are identified, the charge could be elevated to “homicide in a fight” under Argentine law, though no such decision has been made.

The death occurred against a backdrop of widespread, and at times unruly, celebrations across Argentina. In Buenos Aires, police detained 19 people near the Obelisco for disturbances, while incidents were also reported in Córdoba, La Plata, and Tucumán. The match itself saw Argentina overturn a two-goal deficit with late goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernández, securing a quarter-final place against Switzerland. The investigation in Cañuelas remains active, with the suspect in custody and the autopsy results pending. No further arrests have been announced.