Argentina player hits Spain star in face after World Cup final loss: Unseen footage
Tempers flared immediately after Spain were crowned FIFA World Champions when Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes got into a heated argument with several Spanish players.
Cameras showed Paredes clashing with Spain defender Eric Garcia shortly after the final whistle. Paredes lunged at a Spanish defender as he celebrated Spain’s World Cup victory. Paredes punched him twice and as the altercation escalated, Garcia’s teammate Gavi stepped in to try to separate the two and defuse the situation involving his Barcelona team-mate.
An animated Paredes then raised a hand towards Gavi before Argentina’s Thiago Almada cut in and pushed the Spanish midfielder down to avoid Paredes’ swinging arm. However, despite Almado’s best efforts, Paredes punched Gavi in the face as tensions boiled over.
The incident came moments after Argentina’s World Cup title defense ended in heartbreak. The situation was finally diffused by Argentinian manager Lionel Scaloni, who pulled his players out of what could have been a really ugly situation.
Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup Final: Highlights
Here is a video of the incident:
SPAIN STUNS ARGENTINA IN WORLD CUP FINAL
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game in the 106th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound to give Spain a 1-0 extra-time victory and a second FIFA World Cup title. The goal came 16 years and eight days after Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands delivered Spain’s first World Cup crown.
Spain dominated throughout the final, scoring 20 shots, while Argentina managed none until the closing stages of extra time. The holders were also reduced to 10 men just before the end of normal time after Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
Luis de la Fuente’s side also made history by becoming the first World Cup champions to concede just one goal throughout the tournament. Spain remains the only nation to win the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup in consecutive tournaments, having done it twice.
For Lionel Messi and Argentina, the defeat ended a remarkable run that saw them win the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists but failed to inspire another comeback as Spain were determined to win football’s biggest prize.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
20 Jul 2026 04:41 IST