Ugly scenes erupted at full time of the World Cup final as Argentina players brawled with Spain, with Leandro Paredes sent off for grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat and reports of punches being thrown. The violence marred Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory – their second World Cup title – and left Lionel Messi’s final international appearance in disgrace.
Ferran Torres smashed home in the 106th minute to seal the win, but Argentina, who failed to muster a shot until the 117th minute, reacted disastrously after the final whistle. Paredes and Thiago Almada clashed with Spain’s Gavi, prompting Gary Lineker to say on the Rest is Football podcast: “Paredes let himself down.” Micah Richards added: “That was embarrassing. Win or lose, you’ve got to shake hands.”
“Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in World Cup final marred by brawls and red cards for Paredes and Fernandez.”
The chaos followed Enzo Fernandez’s red card just before normal time. The Chelsea midfielder received a second yellow for a late challenge on 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi, having earlier been booked for dissent. Lineker called it “crazy”, while Alan Shearer branded it “absolutely stupid” and said: “He’s cost his country massively.”
Donald Trump inserted himself into the trophy lift, presenting medals despite being audibly booed by the crowd when he first walked onto the pitch with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Spain’s players turned their backs while lifting the trophy.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni, tearful in his press conference, said: “They were better, that’s the truth.” The match itself was a dire spectacle, with a 24-minute half-time show featuring Madonna and Justin Bieber, a terrible pitch, and a delayed kick-off. Messi’s final chapter was tainted by his team’s poisonous dark arts – he even tried to convince referee Slavko Vincic to book Marc Cucurella for briefly covering his mouth.