In a country where soccer is king, the 12-hour time difference with Asia has driven body clocks wild as locals missed their winks to see what in the West is the Night Owl of World Cups.

But what began as a fiesta in Argentina ended in tears after the Argentines drew 1-1 Wednesday with Sweden in Group F, sending the Swedes into the second round.

In downtown Buenos Aires, Argentine fans who stayed up all night for a game that ended just before dawn were stunned when their team was eliminated after entering the Cup as one of the favorites.

At one sports bar, about 200 people were doing the wave and singing karaoke music to stay awake before the game. Afterward, fans threw down their game caps and noisemakers as they tried to swallow the loss.

"I feel pain, real anguish for our loss and the loss of our country," said one dejected fan, Gustavo Turquie, 27. "We needed to win."

He said Argentina, now plumbing the depths of a 4-year-old economic downturn, has had the worst of luck both in soccer and in real life, where the recession is the worst on record.

"Things aren't even going well in futbol. Now we will just have to go back to watching price increases, tax increases and the rise of the dollar" against the devalued peso, he said.

Marcelo Cordoba, a 22-year-old university student, added: "The team had everything to win and they couldn't put the ball in the net. We needed a win to help us forget our economic crisis.

"The only thing I hoped for was a chance to forget about Argentina's problems for a month but this only lasted a few weeks," said Cordoba.

Many Argentines had battled to stay awake through much of the tournament played in the Far East: Argentina won its opener against Nigeria but fans had to set alarm clocks for a 2:30 a.m local time kickoff.

Only the match against England last Friday came at a daylight hour here: 8:30 a.m.

But 3:30 a.m.?

Many Argentines were grumbling.

"It's been several nights since I haven't been sleeping well," admitted orthodontics student Karina Braschi, 25. "Now seeing us lose is a harsh return to reality."

Still, Argentines tuned into the odd-hour matches in record numbers.

Luciana Termine, of the IBOPE group that gauges Argentine television ratings, said at least 1.6 million residents of greater Buenos Aires watched the Nigeria opener against Argentina.

She said that rating topped 49 percent and easily surpassed the most widely watched prime time program this year, a comedy show. For the England matchup -- which Argentina lost 1-0 -- it was even higher at 1.7 million capital viewers.

"That's a very high rating and unmatched by any other program this year. It can only be compared to other World Cup games Argentina has played in the past," said Termine.

To stay awake, some set alarm clocks and others opted for the hot Argentine tea known as Mate, which is sipped through a metal straw.

Political and social commentator Manuel Mora y Araujo said that clearly a good portion of Argentina has been going without shuteye.

"Obviously, Argentina is a 'futbol' nation and the World Cup is the biggest tournament of this sport, so what are Argentines to do?"

Mora y Araujo, who spends his days providing local analysis of the devastating Argentine economic crisis, said he welcomed the Cup entertainment.

"There is no end in sight yet for the crisis, but at least we have sports," he said with a laugh. "I've been staying up all night, too."

Some had it easier than others staying awake.

Sebastiane Monteleone works nights for an emergency medical service but asked for the night off for Wednesday's match.

He had daubed his faced in the Argentine colors for a planned drive through the streets honking his horn in celebration.