Spain won the World Cup final against Argentina in extra time. The match ended 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Ferran Torres. Argentina fought hard but never found its rhythm on the field.
Things turned ugly after the final whistle blew. A brawl broke out between players from both teams. Argentina then turned its back on Spain during the trophy ceremony.
Spain claims its second World Cup title
Spain lifted the World Cup after a goalless 90 minutes, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute to secure a 1-0 victory.
Argentina did not register a shot in regulation, while Spain dominated possession and finished with 20 attempts, 12 of which were on target. Emiliano Martínez made 11 saves before Torres finally beat him in extra time.
The result denied Argentina a second consecutive championship. No nation has won back-to-back men’s World Cups since Brazil won the 1958 and 1962 tournaments. Spain claimed its second men’s title, following its first triumph in 2010.
A red card changes the game
Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, listed as 90+3, after a late challenge on Pau Cubarsí. The dismissal left Argentina with 10 players for extra time.
Argentina received every caution recorded in the final. Lisandro Martínez, Leandro Paredes, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister and coach Lionel Scaloni were booked, while Fernández received two yellow cards and was sent off. Spain received no cards.
Spain increased the pressure with its numerical advantage, and Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. Argentina remained within one goal but could not equalize.
Chaos erupts after the final whistle
A confrontation broke out near midfield after the final whistle. Footage showed Argentina defender Nahuel Molina appearing to strike Spain captain Rodri as Spanish substitutes entered the field to celebrate. What started as pushing quickly grew into something worse.
Eric García became involved in the confrontation, and Leandro Paredes grabbed him by the throat. When Gavi intervened, Paredes pulled at the midfielder and threw him to the ground. Gavi was pushed hard to the ground during the clash.
Players, coaches, and staff entered the area as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni helped separate those involved. Paredes received a red card after the final whistle. The scene delayed the trophy presentation by several minutes.
Punches fly during the postgame brawl
Video footage showed Nahuel Molina appearing to swing at Rodri and Leandro Paredes, throwing punches during the confrontation. Paredes also grabbed Eric García by the throat and wrestled Gavi to the ground.
Paredes was shown a red card after the final whistle, Argentina’s second dismissal of the final. FIFA has appointed a disciplinary inspector to review official reports and footage before deciding whether further sanctions are warranted.
BBC pundit Alan Shearer said Paredes appeared to throw “two or three haymakers” and condemned Argentina’s response to the defeat.
Fun fact: West Germany’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in 1990 produced the first clean sheet in a men’s World Cup final, 60 years after the tournament began.
Argentina turns its back on Spain
Spain’s players gathered to receive their medals and trophy. Many Argentina players stood facing away from the ceremony. Their backs stayed turned as Spain celebrated on the field.
The gesture drew sharp criticism from fans and commentators alike. Many called it a final act of poor sportsmanship. The scene played out in front of a packed stadium.
Not every Argentine player joined in the display. Lionel Messi shook hands with each Spanish player individually. His actions stood in contrast to the rest of his team.
Pundits slam Argentina’s conduct
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart called Argentina’s behavior “disgusting” while praising Lionel Messi for shaking hands with Spain’s players after the defeat.
Alan Shearer condemned Paredes’ punches and said there was no place for that conduct. ITV pundit Gary Neville also described Argentina’s postmatch behavior as a disgrace.
The criticism centered on the punches, the throat grab and the reaction to Spain’s victory. Messi’s response was widely contrasted with the altercations involving several of his teammates.
History repeats itself for Argentina
Argentina has faced disciplinary scrutiny following a World Cup final before. On January 13, 2023, FIFA opened proceedings against the Argentine Football Association over potential breaches involving offensive behavior, fair play, misconduct and tournament regulations during the 2022 final against France.
The 2026 final also ended with two Argentine dismissals. Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card in stoppage time, and Leandro Paredes was shown a red card after the final whistle.
Argentina previously had two players sent off in the 1990 final against West Germany, when Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti were dismissed. The 2026 match was therefore the second men’s World Cup final in which Argentina had two players sent off.
Messi’s class stands out again
Lionel Messi did not take part in the post-match confrontation. After Argentina’s defeat, he shook hands with Spain’s players while several of his teammates faced away during the trophy presentation. His calm behavior earned praise from fans worldwide.
Messi had previously indicated that the 2026 World Cup would be his final one. The 39-year-old left the field without a second consecutive title after Spain’s 1-0 victory. Instead, the moment became a lesson in grace under pressure.
His conduct drew praise from broadcasters and supporters who contrasted his response with the altercations involving other Argentina players. Messi’s calm departure provided a composed ending to an otherwise chaotic night for his team. His actions may be remembered longer than the loss itself.
Little-known fact: The 1950 World Cup had no true final. Uruguay beat Brazil in a deciding group match instead.
TL;DR
- Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the World Cup.
- Enzo Fernández was sent off in stoppage time, leaving Argentina with 10 players for extra time.
- A postmatch brawl involved Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and several Spain players.
- Several Argentina players faced away during Spain’s trophy celebration.
- Lionel Messi stood out by shaking hands with Spain’s players.
If you liked this story, don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
If you liked this, you might also like:
