NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Noisy Argentinians brought the World Cup carnival back to the heart of New York ahead of their blockbuster clash against Spain Sunday, reigniting interest in the tournament after it dipped with the US exit.

“I’m very nervous because I love Argentina. It’s the final. It’s probably the last of Messi. So maybe it’s our day. I don’t know. We came across a few Spaniards but I don’t look at them,” said Argentine dentist Florencia Luzinin, 30.

She was among thousands of blue and white-striped Argentina fans flocking to the busy tourist hubs of central Manhattan ahead of the final game over the Hudson River in New Jersey.