Residents of Patricios, Argentina, used a battery-powered radio older than 20 years [2] to follow a World Cup match after a power outage.
The incident highlights the critical role of analog technology in rural areas where infrastructure failures can isolate communities from global events. In small towns, the lack of redundant power sources often makes traditional hardware the only reliable link to the outside world.
The power failure occurred Nov. 22, 2022 [4], during the group stage match between Argentina and Egypt. At the time of the outage, Argentina was trailing 2-0 [3]. The village of Patricios, located in the province of Buenos Aires, has a population of fewer than 1,000 inhabitants [1].
With the electricity gone, the community turned to a radio that had been in use for more than 20 years [2]. The device allowed the residents to continue tracking the minute-by-minute action of the match despite the blackout. The analog radio served as the sole source of information for the town until the energy service was restored.
This reliance on legacy equipment underscores the disparity in utility stability between urban centers and rural provinces. While digital streaming and smart devices are standard in cities, the residents of Patricios found that a simple, battery-operated receiver was the most resilient tool available during a crisis.
“Argentina was trailing 2-0 when the power failed.”
This event illustrates the 'digital divide' in infrastructure, where rural populations remain dependent on analog backups. While modern connectivity is widespread, the durability of 20-year-old hardware proves more reliable than the electrical grid in remote regions of Buenos Aires during high-stakes events.
