Argentina – 2014

Sky Ranch Restaurant was unanimously picked as the place to be in Toronto to watch Argentina in the World Cup. I hadn’t been there yet, and what better time to go than during a semi-final game! Turns out to be an absolute gem, and I didn’t even try the food. Only problem, it’s not a very big place and it seems like everyone had the same idea. Reservation only with no spill-over patio. I got in as a member of the press, and there was loads of press, but I have to emphasize, DO NOT go there for the finals as I am sure they are already booked up. I’d recommend any place on St. Clair Avenue West, see below.

I was at Sky Ranch Restaurant for the last 30 minutes of the second half. There wasn’t too much action, but man, the series of photos below are of the loudest and longest goal celebration I’ve ever photographed that turned out to be offsides. I only saw one replay of the shot, but it didn’t look much like a decisive offsides, I’m glad Argentina won in the end but cause it was a heartbreaking moment when the goal was denied.

Date: July 9, 2014
Score of game: Argentina 0, Netherlands 0 (Argentina wins on penalties 4-2)
Location 1: Sky Ranch Restaurant, 2473 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON (Photos above)
Estimated number of fans at location: 200
Location 2: Invictus Bar and Restaurant, 1331 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, ON (Photos below)
Estimated number of fans at location: 130

There are LOADS of great places along St. Clair Avenue West to watch Argentina play, just look for distinctive jerseys and flags. The nice thing about bars on St. Clair is that most of them have patios with some spill-over so it’s even easier to spot the bars that are great viewing spots. I got to Invictus in extra time, and then of course, the shoot out. It was a great spot, highly recommended for the final.

There is usually always ONE supporter in enemy territory.

I was joking with my wife tonight, I can wait around for 120 minutes wait to photograph a goal, but then in a shoot out, I suddenly have 6 goals to photograph in five minutes. Kinda seems like cheating. Some of those 6 goals and the celebration after are documented below.