Argentina's players turned the World Cup final into one of the most controversial in recent years with a series of shameful antics, from Enzo Fernandez's red card to Leandro Paredes' post-match boxing. The meltdown continued back home, where fans rioted in Buenos Aires.
On-Field Meltdown
After a lackluster performance, Argentina's players lost their composure at the final whistle. Leandro Paredes, who avoided a red card during the match, threw punches at Spain players, including a kick at Eric Garcia while he was on the ground. Alan Shearer commented on BBC: "Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone's face. There is no place for that." Atletico Madrid's Nahuel Molina also attempted to land blows.
Tears and Emotion
Lionel Messi and manager Lionel Scaloni were reduced to tears after full time. Scaloni had to leave his post-match press conference due to overwhelming emotion.
Fan Riots in Argentina
In Buenos Aires, fans clashed with police, throwing bottles and rocks. Argentine news site Cronica reported at least 15 arrests and seven police officers injured. Two fans, aged 26 and 24, were hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.
Falklands Flag Controversy
Argentina fans online blamed their team's loss on a curse from the Falklands flag stunt against England. Some said the flag, which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," angered FIFA. One user wrote: "I reckon it was the Malvinas flag bill... it doesn't add up that we played so badly." Another blamed the English: "The English have a lot of weight and they weren't going to let that slide." Fans noted that players who held the flag, Enzo Fernandez and Lisandro Martinez, had poor performances.
Presidential Blunder
President Javier Milei tweeted after the loss as if Argentina had won, promising a national holiday. The tweet read: "WORLD CELEBRATION... it will be declared a national holiday." Critics mocked the apparent scheduling error, with one comment calling it "historical ridicule."
