Lionel Scaloni left his post-match press conference in tears, his future uncertain, after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain descended into a mass brawl that has sparked online calls for the nation to be banned from the next tournament.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, an extra-time goal from Ferran Torres deciding a match that had already been marred by the South Americans' aggressive tactics. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless challenge in stoppage time, and when the final whistle blew, Argentina players sparked chaos, throwing punches at their Spanish counterparts in a shocking display of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
“Argentina's World Cup final defeat sparks brawl and calls for ban, but they host 2030.”
The ugly scenes were the latest in a string of controversies during the tournament — Argentina had also been criticised for their conduct in the dramatic semi-final win over England. Sections of football fans took to Reddit to demand FIFA ban Argentina from the 2030 World Cup. One user wrote: "Their behaviour throughout this tournament should see Argentina banned from the 2030 World Cup. Maybe sitting a World Cup out will sort out their attitude."
But those calls will go unheeded. Argentina have already booked their place at the 2030 edition without needing to qualify, as one of six host nations — along with Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Paraguay and Uruguay — marking the centenary of the first World Cup, which Uruguay won by beating Argentina in the final. Paraguay was included as the home of CONMEBOL.
The final defeat itself was a bitter end to what is likely to be Lionel Messi's last World Cup, but the nation's media still praised Scaloni's side. Clarín, the country's best-selling newspaper, ran the headline: "They gave it their all: [there is] nothing to blame them for." In its editorial, the outlet said "beyond the final result, and setting aside the strictly sporting aspects, there was, as never before, a special bond between the people and their national team." La Nación declared: "Argentina gave their all, and they are the pride of the nation." Página|12's front page read "From here to eternity," its cover article noting that Spain had "controlled the entire final but only managed to score in the second half of extra time."
Scaloni himself fought back tears when addressing his future. "If they give everything the way they did today, it sets a great example for the people and for our country," he said. "You have to pick yourself up again. When you leave everything like that, it's very hard to find fault with anything." Former Argentina international Marcelo Gallardo, speaking on ESPN, said Scaloni had spoken "with great dignity, with great pride and with a presence that is also deeply emotional and human." Gallardo added that the semi-final against England had been an "emotional drain" and that Argentina "hadn't faced a team like Spain before — a team that steals the ball from you and you can't get it back."
Alejandro Wall, writing for Tiempo Argentino, described Spain as "a whirlwind of football and determination that dominated Argentina at will." But for all the pride in the team's journey, the violent end to their campaign — and the certainty that they will be back in 2030 — has left a bitter taste for many.