Spain’s historic FIFA World Cup triumph ended amid riotous scenes after the final whistle, with Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes shown a straight red card after an ugly confrontation involving several players from both teams.Luis de la Fuente’s side beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal. But moments after the celebrations began in Spain, tensions erupted into a mass confrontation that resulted in Paredes being sacked and leaving an unforgettable final shrouded in controversy.
Tempers began to rise during the match
Although the final produced only one goal in 120 minutes, the contest was fiercely contested throughout.Argentina were already down to 10 men late in normal time when Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card after a reckless challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí.
Referee Slavko Vincic, of Slovenia, shows a red card to Enzo Fernandez (24) of Argentina during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Earlier in the extra time, Lionel Messi Also involved in an exchange with referee Slavko Vinčić, who argued that Marc Cucurella should be penalized after appearing to speak while covering his mouth during an on-field exchange.Those incidents set the tone for a more heated conclusion before the emotions were in full flow when the final whistle confirmed Spain as world champions.
Spain’s celebrations became a flashpoint
When Vinčić ended the game, Spain’s substitutes ran from the bench to the pitch to celebrate with their teammates.According to reports, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina appeared to hang an arm out to Spain captain Rodri as the midfielder walked past him during the celebrations.Rodri immediately stopped and confronted Molina, with the two players exchanging words before Spain defender Eric García stepped in between them in an attempt to calm the situation.However, the confrontation escalated.Paredes rushed to the scene and allegedly grabbed García by the throat before pushing him as players from both teams surrounded the incident.Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni quickly arrived and was seen trying to separate the players while signaling for calm, but the confrontation continued to spread on the pitch.
Gavi’s tackle resulted in a red card
With one confrontation still ongoing, another quickly developed nearby.Spain midfielder Gavi has been linked with Argentina’s Thiago Almada as Paredes turns his attention to the young Spaniard.Television footage appeared to show Paredes wrestling Gavi to the ground before his replacement grabbed him by the bib and shoved him in the face.
Players fight at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Several Spanish players quickly crossed to protect Gavi, while striker Borja Iglesias was among those who confronted the Argentine midfielder.Upon witnessing the sequence that unfolded, referee Vinčić had little doubt.Paredes, who was booked during the match and had earlier escaped what many believed to be a second warning, was shown a straight red card after the final whistle for his involvement in the fight.
Neville and Shearer condemned Argentina’s reaction
The scenes drew immediate criticism from television pundits covering the final.Speaking on ITV, former England captain Gary Neville said: “He’s a disgrace.“I mean he was lucky not to be sent off during the game. I love the competitiveness of the Argentinians and they deserve a lot of credit for what they did in this tournament. Fighting and scraping for their lives every game.“Even now when they are beaten by a good football side. Messi supports them sometimes and they are very competitive and I like their element.“But he’s been a disgrace in the last two games and why are the referees allowing him to keep doing what he’s doing.”BBC pundit Alan Shearer was equally critical after reviewing the footage.“Paredes threw two or three haymakers in someone’s face. He went at them,” Shearer said.“There is no place or space for that.“We know how important it is for them and we know how painful it is to lose, but there is a way to lose. We have seen that many times from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle was terrible.”
Bittersweet end to Argentina’s title defense
The messy finish brought a disappointing conclusion to Argentina’s attempt to retain the World Cup.Lionel Scaloni’s side battled through a difficult knockout campaign and reached a second consecutive World Cup final, but they were second best against a Spain side that dominated possession and eventually found the breakthrough in extra time through Ferran Torres.While Spain celebrated becoming world champions for the second time, Argentina’s players were left to reflect not only on the defeat but also on a poor finish that led to Paredes being sent off after the final whistle.For Lionel Messi, widely expected to make his final appearance at the World Cup, the evening ended with visible emotion as he praised Argentina’s traveling supporters before collecting his runners-up medal, while post-match disorder involving several teammates threatened to overshadow another remarkable tournament for the defending champions.