Several members of Argentina players' families were detained in the United States following the team's 1-0 World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Reigning European champions Spain secured their second World Cup title on Sunday and first since South Africa in 2010, thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal. Argentina's players were involved in a mass confrontation with Spain's substitutes at the end of the World Cup final, with several players set to face disciplinary action from FIFA. The previous World Cup holders also turned their backs on Spain’s trophy lift at the end of a game that saw Argentina fail to register a single shot on target.
Rodri is struck by Nahuel Molina near the halfway line, the Argentinian right-back aggressively throwing his arm out at Spain’s captain. Rodri turns back and confronts Molina, and the two players square up as their teammates remain unaware of what’s unfolding. Now it’s Leandro Paredes’s turn to enter the fray. He sprints across and attacks Garcia, sending him flying. Garcia gets up only to be attacked by Paredes once again, the Argentina midfielder grabbing his Spanish counterpart by the throat as the linesman continues to try to break up the pair.
The Barcelona midfielder showed a remarkable amount of restraint in not retaliating and was led away from the scene by Spain’s victorious head coach, Luis de la Fuente.
Paredes was reportedly brandished a red card following the violence, with several Argentine players, including Enzo Fernandez who was dismissed during the match, now facing potential disciplinary action. FIFA will examine the unsavoury incidents as standard procedure and could sanction the Argentine FA for losing control of their players. FIFA must set an example by slapping Leandro Paredes with a "10-match ban" following his full-time actions in the 2026 World Cup final.