Tempers flared at the FIFA World Cup final after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time on Sunday, July 19
Credit: Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Spain’s head coach addressed the brawl that broke out on the field after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19
- The incident involved players, coaches and substitutes from both Spain and Argentina
- Argentina’s Leandro Paredes received a red card for his role in the altercation as FIFA investigates the incident
Spain’s coach, Luis de la Fuente, has addressed the brawl that broke out after his team defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19.
Speaking with Spanish public broadcaster TVE on Thursday, July 23, de la Fuente reflected on Sunday’s fiery finish, when punches were thrown and Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was sent off.
“It cannot be allowed,” De la Fuente said, according to the Associated Press.
The 65-year-old coach, who said he did not witness the tempers flaring on the field since he was “celebrating with other people,” added, “In any case, I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that caliber, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach.”
Credit: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP via Getty
When the Spanish substitutes ran onto the field on Sunday to celebrate the win at New York New Jersey Stadium, Argentina’s Nahuel Molina appeared to try and hit Spain’s captain, Rodri, in the chest, according to footage shared by the BBC’s Match of the Day. Rodri was also shown shoving Molina.
Spain’s Eric Garcia got involved as Molina bumped Rodri in the chest. This fueled Paredes to make his way to Garcia, whom he appear to shove by the throat, per The Independent.
Credit: Hugo Rivera/Jam Media/Getty
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s coach, got in the mix and attempted to break things up by separating Garcia. At that point, Paredes wrestled Spain’s Gavi to the ground. Gavi’s teammates then came to his defense.
Paredes, who had already received a yellow card in Sunday’s game, was shown a red card for his role in the melee.
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FIFA is set to investigate the post-match interactions, The Independent and Sky Sports News report. Sanctions, including a three-match suspension, could follow.
On Wednesday, July 22, Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala for his confrontation with Spain’s Dani Olmo, which he described as a shove and not a punch.
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