The 2026 World Cup final was marred by ugly scenes after the final whistle, with Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes shown a red card for throwing punches at Spanish stars Eric Garcia and Gavi. The violence erupted moments after Spain secured a 1-0 extra-time victory, their first World Cup triumph since 2010.
Ferran Torres scored the winner in the second half of extra time, latching onto a loose ball to seal the biggest prize for his country. The goal came after Argentina had been reduced to 10 men just before the end of normal time, when Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off for two yellow card offences – first for dissent, then for a rash challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
“Spain won 1-0 in extra time but post-match violence overshadowed final as Argentina's Paredes sent off for punching Spanish players.”
As Spanish players raced onto the pitch to celebrate, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina appeared to punch Spain captain Rodri in the stomach. Rodri reacted and confronted Molina, with Eric Garcia rushing to intervene. Paredes then joined the fracas, kicking and grabbing Garcia by the throat before turning on 21-year-old substitute Gavi, who had tried to push him away. Paredes retaliated by throwing punches and pushing Gavi to the floor, sparking a melee that involved players from both teams.
Wayne Rooney, commentating for the BBC, asked: “Does it surprise you? It doesn't surprise me, I think we've seen this with Argentina before and it's just not the reaction you want. We've seen some of the reaction after knocking England out in the last round as well. I think Enzo Fernandez has got what he deserves as well, so it's disappointing. But that's just sad. If you lose a game of football, be graceful and get out of there. It's very poor from them.”
Fellow pundit Joe Hart added: “Disgusting. There was one man on the pitch who did have class, and that was Lionel Messi – shook hands of every one of those Spanish players. The game's done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour. Rodri, I don't think, needed to get in their faces, but when you've been wound up for 120 minutes, and you felt you've been wronged, and you've felt the referee's on your back, and you've got that win, referee's blow…”
Despite the defeat, Argentina declared a national holiday, with president Javier Milei allowing players and staff to choose a day of celebration. For Spain, the victory capped a golden era: Lamine Yamal, aged 19, ended the tournament with a World Cup winners' medal, having been a constant threat throughout the final.