BUENOS AIRES — Argentina’s national team was welcomed home Monday by thousands of fans celebrating its gutsy performance in the World Cup final. The team arrived in Buenos Aires on a plane painted with images of the players and a large sign reading: “Thank you Argentina.” A river of emotional fans wearing the white and sky-blue striped jerseys of the national team, among them a group of Argentine gauchos on horses, flooded the road leading from the airport to the football association complex. “You showed that through courage, passion and bringing everything you have and more to the field you can triumph,” President Cristina Fernandez said after greeting all members of the team at the complex with a hug and a pat on the back. “You’ve given us values that Argentines, surrounded by so much triumphalism, thought were lost. Not only does the one in first place win; you also win when you show quality and manage to unite with others to go forward,” Fernandez said. “That’s why I wanted to greet you today and thank you on behalf of 40 million proud Argentines.” The two-time world champion entered the title match as the clear underdog after Germany’s 7-1 thrashing…