Nicolas Otamendi accused Spain captain Rodri of successfully influencing the referee in Argentina's World Cup final defeat. Argentina's quest for stunning back-to-back World Cups fell at the final hurdle as Lionel Scaloni's side were beaten 1-0 by Spain.
Match details
The reigning champions showed very little threat in the final third, failing to take a single shot at goal in normal time. Argentina were at least frustrating a Spain side who dominated possession but their task got that bit harder when Enzo Fernandez was sent off in injury-time for a second yellow card.
The Argentines were desperate for penalties from that moment but Ferran Torres scored an extra-time winner to give Spain their second World Cup title.
Post-match confrontation
Several players from both sides were involved in a brawl after the full-time whistle was blown, with Nahuel Molina striking Rodri and Leandro Paredes throwing countless punches in the direction of the Spain players. While less dramatic, there was also a heated exchange between former Manchester City teammates Otamendi and Rodri.
'You were crying all week [about the refereeing at the World Cup],' Otamendi told a clearly surprised Rodri. 'You and Laporte, both of you. That's not right, you were crying with the referees, my friend.'
Spain's pre-match comments
Spain defender Laporte discussed the officiating at the World Cup prior to the final and said his teammates had been 'greatly surprised' by some of the decisions during Argentina's run. 'I'm not at all worried about aggression in football,' Laporte told Spanish outlet Marca. 'If it's tolerated and the referee does his job, I have no problem with it.'
'It's true that in recent matches we've seen things that have surprised us greatly, actions that are allowed to go unpunished. Especially against Argentina, a team that leaves a lot of marks. That shouldn't be allowed in football, especially in such big competitions, because it can destabilise and frustrate you.'
'It's part of the referee's job to control these things so they don't get taken advantage of. If one or two players can do that, the match will be chaotic. From the beginning of the tournament, we've been a fairly fair team in that sense. We don't go around hitting opponents or committing reckless fouls. And I think that's what we have to do in this match. But it's true that it will depend a lot on the refereeing.'
Spain's victory and manager's reaction
Luis de la Fuente led Spain to European Championship glory two years ago and is now a World Cup-winning manager. 'So much pride,' he said after Spain's first World Cup win since 2010. 'Pride for this generation of footballers that have been growing with this idea, staying loyal to the idea, and doing their best.'
'They are an example of a team, a group, a family, and a collective of great players that have been exceptional. I'm just so proud to have accompanied them on this journey, to have been there with them on this trajectory is an honour.'
'I can't really tell you how I feel. All I can say was it was worth it. Of course at the moment I am very emotional, particularly having watched from behind the scenes. I have spoken so much to the players, who said to me, 'Boss, we've won it all', and it's marvellous.'
'This generation of players is an example for Spanish sport, for the Spanish youth. Together we are much stronger, and that is why we don't forget anyone. Of course we would have liked to win the game much sooner. The Martinez saves prevented us from doing so. We tried and tried to get on the scoresheet but weren't able to. But this is a World Cup final, even against ten men at the end we had to suffer. But, we like to suffer, and I'll say it again, we were prepared for everything.'
