‘Total disgrace’: Argentina branded ‘classless’ as post-final behavior sparks outrage

Referee Slavko Vincic of Slovenia shows a yellow card to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes (AP Photo) Argentina have come under intense scrutiny following their 2026 FIFA World Cup final defeat to Spain, with their behavior during the post-match medal ceremony drawing widespread criticism from sections of the football community. According to Goal.com, several observers described the runners-up as “classless” after Lionel Messi and his teammates decided not to stand on the podium during the Spanish trophy presentation. Spain beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New Jersey Stadium in New York (local time) on Sunday, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to give La Roja their second World Cup title. The win also extended Spain’s unbeaten run to a European record 38 matches. The controversy began after Argentina collected the silver medals. Instead of standing around to applaud the newly crowned world champions, the players moved to the opposite side of the pitch as Spain prepared to lift the trophy. The gesture attracted attention as Spain earlier formed a guard of honor and applauded Argentina as they collected their medals in second place. The atmosphere remained tense even during the presentation of individual awards. As Rodri stepped forward to receive the Ballon d’Or for being named the tournament’s best player, sections of Argentina’s supporters in the stadium responded by chanting Lionel Messi’s name, a moment that also drew criticism. Speaking on talkSPORT, broadcaster Adrian Durham strongly condemned Argentina’s behaviour. “No class. They were absolutely shocking. They made a total disgrace here today. The fans, we think, were great. But even during the trophy lifting, when Rodri went up to get the best player of the tournament trophy, the fans were chanting Messi’s name and they were chanting Argentina. They just can’t accept that Argentina were beaten in the World Cup final according to Gocom,” said Durham. Durham also questioned Argentina’s performances throughout the tournament. “Argentina are a total disgrace to the game, a disgrace to the World Cup. In fact, they were a disgrace all the time, really, except for those 20 minutes against England,” he added. Durham continued his criticism, saying: “In the easiest group in World Cup history, toiling hard in the knockout stages against Cape Verde, Egypt needed defeat from the jaws of victory to reach the quarter-finals, where Switzerland shot themselves in the foot with a needless red card.” He further claimed: “England had the upper hand in the semi-final, handed it on a plate to Argentina, who came here in the final and completely embarrassed themselves. Let’s face it, they had Argentina, a ridiculous list of decisions came their way in this tournament.” The temper flared even before the medal ceremony. Shortly after the final whistle, players from both sides got into a confrontation. Video footage showed Argentina defender Leandro Paredes grabbing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the neck before knocking substitute Gavi to the ground as he tried to step in. Players from both teams, along with Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, quickly intervened to calm the situation. Paredes was later shown a red card after the altercation. It remains unclear whether further disciplinary action will be taken, with FIFA not immediately commenting on the incident. The final itself remained goalless in normal time, despite Spain controlling possession and creating more chances. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a number of excellent saves to deny Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Pau Cubarsi. Argentina’s hopes suffered another blow in stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge against Cubarsa, becoming only the sixth player to be sent off in a World Cup final. Spain finally got the breakthrough in the 106th minute when Nico Williams nodded the ball into the path of Torres, who fired home the winner to deny Argentina the chance to become the first nation in 64 years to successfully defend their World Cup title. As Spain celebrated another historic triumph, much of the post-match discussion focused on Argentina’s conduct after the final whistle, with their behavior during the on-pitch confrontation and medal ceremony becoming almost as widely discussed as the result itself.