Ferran Torres scored the only goal in extra time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final at the New York New Jersey Stadium — but the result was overshadowed by a series of violent incidents that have left Fifa facing calls to punish Lionel Scaloni’s side.
Leandro Paredes was sent off for violent conduct after full time, jostling, wrestling and attacking Eric Garcia and Gavi. Enzo Fernandez had already been dismissed following two yellow cards, having earlier tried to engineer Marc Cucurella’s dismissal alongside Lionel Messi in what the Mirror described as “a sheer act of desperation”.
“Argentina had two players sent off and an assistant coach threw a punch in a violent World Cup final defeat to Spain.”
The 39-year-old Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, and Fernandez unsuccessfully attempted to intimidate Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic after Cucurella briefly covered his mouth. Nicolas Otamendi then had the audacity to accuse Rodri and Aymeric Laporte of deliberately influencing the officials.
Right back Nahuel Molina, who played a key part in Torres’ winner, also punched Rodri. Even Scaloni’s assistant coach Raton Ayala thought it acceptable to put his fist into the face of Spain’s Dani Olmo.
Argentina’s disgrace extended off the pitch. The team turned their backs on Spain as La Roja made their way onto the podium to lift the iconic gold trophy. The controversial ‘Islas Malvinas’ banner, which has already drawn Fifa’s attention, added to the toxic atmosphere.
Fifa are yet to punish Argentina for that banner, but the Mirror’s Ryan Taylor wrote that “it’s about time they threw the book at Lionel Scaloni’s side”. Paredes and Molina’s behaviour was described as “unsavoury, shocking and utterly unsurprising”.
Despite the chaos, Spain’s second World Cup win was eerily similar to their first in South Africa 16 years ago. Lamine Yamal outshone Messi in a final billed as the generational duel, while Messi was left in tears after what may be his last World Cup appearance. Argentina President Javier Milei has declared a national holiday, leaving players and staff to choose a day of celebration — a jarring contrast to the scenes of violence that marred their defeat.