Argentina players were involved in ugly scenes on the MetLife Stadium pitch just seconds after Spain beat them 1-0 to win the 2026 World Cup final. Leandro Paredes was at the center of the altercation, throwing punches at Spanish players as the full-time whistle blew.
Pundits Condemn 'Disgusting' Behaviour
BBC commentator Alan Shearer, who was covering the match, said: "I think I saw him swing at least two or three haymakers into someone's face, he actually went for them. Honestly there is no place or space for that." Shearer added: "We know how much it means to them. We know how much it hurts when you lose but there's a way to lose and too many times we've seen that reaction from them."
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart called the scenes "disgusting," saying: "The game is done. They can have absolutely no complaints what happened today. Disgusting behaviour." Micah Richards echoed the sentiment: "Joe hit the nail on the head. It's quite embarrassing really."
Spain's Dominance Praised
Despite the unsavoury ending, Shearer praised Spain's performance: "No doubt, the best team has won. They deserve it. They controlled possession and were the ones looking to play the football and create chances and run in behind. It's a result for football because the way Spain have played, they deserve it."
The match was decided by a single goal, with Spain securing a 1-0 victory. Argentina's frustration boiled over after the final whistle, leading to the altercation involving Paredes. The incident has drawn widespread criticism from pundits and fans alike.
Earlier in the match, Argentina's Enzo Fernandez received a red card, which Shearer described as "stupid." The sending off left Argentina with ten men for a significant portion of the game, hampering their chances of a comeback.
Spain's victory marks their second World Cup title, adding to their 2010 triumph. The team's possession-based style of play was widely admired throughout the tournament.
