Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final after extra time, but their reliance on the dark arts drew widespread condemnation. Lionel Scaloni's side saw two players sent off—Enzo Fernandez at the end of regulation and Leandro Paredes post-match for throwing punches—as Spain lifted the trophy in New Jersey. The match, marred by skirmishes, vicious tackles, and embarrassing antics, has been criticized as a disgrace to football.
First Half: Early Infractions
Within four minutes, Gonzalo Montiel grabbed Alex Baena on the halfway line, pleading for a foul that went the other way. At six minutes, Alexis Mac Allister pulled Pedro Porro back near the edge of the area, but no foul was given. Nicolas Tagliafico threw himself to the ground after minimal contact from Lamine Yamal in the eighth minute. Mac Allister escaped a yellow card in the 14th minute for a flying tackle on Dani Olmo.
In the 19th minute, Cristian Romero ushered Baena out of play and stared him down, followed by Fernandez falling after claiming contact from a throw-in. Tagliafico hauled down Yamal again at 29 minutes, hanging off his back without a card. Lisandro Martinez received a yellow card at 41 minutes for hacking down Mikel Oyarzabal, and was substituted two minutes later.
Second Half: Escalation
Paredes shoulder-charged Rodri with no ball in sight at 51 minutes, then shoved Olmo down, earning a yellow card during the ensuing scuffle. Julian Alvarez left an elbow on Aymeric Laporte at 56 minutes, and Paredes committed another foul on Mikel Merino at 76 minutes. At 77 minutes, Alvarez pushed Pedri twice during a shot, putting him off without a foul called.
Giuliano Simeone elbowed Marc Cucurella in the back at 81 minutes. Fernandez, booked for dissent at 82 minutes after throwing his hand in anger, dragged down Merino and prevented a quick free-kick at 84 minutes. Lionel Messi ran into Laporte at 90+1 minutes to draw a late free-kick. At 90+3 minutes, Fernandez flew into Pau Cubarsi, sending him into a cartwheel, and was sent off with a second yellow card.
Extra Time: Continued Misconduct
After Fernandez's red card, Messi tried to get Cucurella sent off for covering his mouth. Paredes brought down Ferran Torres at 90+5 minutes, leading to a free-kick that ended regulation. In extra time, Tagliafico elbowed Porro in the jaw at 92 minutes. A Spain goal by Nico Williams was ruled out at 96 minutes because Nicolas Otamendi screamed and claimed a foul, staying down afterward. Simeone simulated contact with Cucurella at 104 minutes, and Tagliafico collapsed after minimal touch from Torres at 105+2 minutes.
Paredes barged into Merino's legs at 105+3 minutes, and Mac Allister was finally booked at 111 minutes. After Spain's winning goal, dirty tactics subsided as Argentina chased the game. Post-match, Paredes was sent off for throwing punches and grappling with Gavi, while Otamendi and Nahuel Molina also engaged in altercations. The match concluded with Argentina shamed, having failed to register a shot on target in regulation.
