The World Cup final in New Jersey descended into ugly scenes as Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina triggered a violent brawl that left the sport reeling. As referee Slavko Vincic blew the full-time whistle, Spain’s substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate – but within moments, Argentina’s Nahuel Molina threw a punch at Spain captain Rodri near the halfway line. Rodri turned and confronted Molina, and the two squared up. Eric Garcia ran over to separate them, but Leandro Paredes sprinted across and attacked Garcia, sending him flying. The linesman tried to intervene, but Paredes grabbed Garcia by the throat. Argentina’s coaching staff surrounded Garcia to protect him from his own teammate. Paredes then turned his attention to Gavi, pushing and pulling the 21-year-old alongside Argentina substitute Thiago Almada, who ripped the Spaniard’s training top.
Paredes was initially shown a red card, but FIFA later removed it from the record. The governing body has now appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code regarding the post-match incidents. In his first public statement after the chaos, Paredes refused to apologise. Writing on Instagram, he said: “Thank you, Argentina! I love you today and always. Today, I write with a heavy heart, having been unable to bring our country the joy it so richly deserves. But with a chest full of pride for having given everything we had and for flying our flag at the very top once again!”
“Leandro Paredes refuses to apologise after brawl as FIFA investigates World Cup final violence.”
The violence drew fierce condemnation. Alan Shearer, commentating for the BBC, said: “Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. There is no place or space for that. We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.” Joe Hart added: “The game’s done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”
Amid the fallout, Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez – a World Cup winner in 2022 who kept two clean sheets in the tournament – revealed he is considering stepping aside from international duty. The 33-year-old wrote on Instagram: “I dreamt we’d win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more. The truth is, the pain is hard to explain. There are many things to reflect on and how to move forward, and if it’s time to step aside. I’m so sorry, I truly tried my best to help my country and my team-mates.” Martinez has won 67 caps for Argentina and the Yashin Trophy for world’s best goalkeeper in 2023 and 2024. He has a contract at Aston Villa until 2029.
FIFA’s investigation will determine if further sanctions follow – but for now, the image of Argentina’s players fighting in defeat has overshadowed Spain’s triumph.