FIFA have announced Argentina have officially been removed from the top of the world rankings following the World Cup final defeat to Spain.
Lionel Scaloni's side saw their hopes of retaining the World Cup ended by a 1-0 extra-time defeat in New Jersey on Sunday, with Lionel Messi and his team-mates producing a subdued display before ugly scenes marred the aftermath. Now the reigning world champions have also surrendered their place as the world's highest-ranked team, while Lionel Messi chose not to fly home with the rest of the squad as thousands of supporters lined the streets of Buenos Aires to welcome them back.
Spain top the rankings
Spain's victory has propelled Luis de la Fuente's side to the summit of the latest FIFA rankings on 1,995.88 points after earning 30.27 ranking points for their World Cup final triumph. Argentina have slipped into second on 1,970.37, with France, England and Brazil completing the top five. Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and Mexico round out the top 10.
The rankings are the latest setback for Argentina following a turbulent conclusion to their World Cup campaign.
Post-match incidents under investigation
Scaloni's men finished the final with 10 players after Enzo Fernandez was sent off and failed to register a single shot on target against Spain before tempers boiled over after the final whistle.
Leandro Paredes appeared to push Eric Garcia by the throat before wrestling Gavi to the ground, while Nahuel Molina looked to strike Spain captain Rodri as players and staff became embroiled in a mass confrontation.
FIFA has since launched a formal disciplinary investigation, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to examine the incidents, with both players and the Argentine Football Association potentially facing sanctions.
Spain star speaks out
In an act of sportsmanship, Spain midfielder Gavi has urged FIFA not to suspend any Argentina players over what happened - despite being one of the players caught up in the post-match violence.
Gavi, who was among the Spain players involved in the chaotic aftermath, believes any punishments should stop short of bans.
"If I'm honest, I don't think they should be suspended," he said.
"I understand that what happened doesn't set a good example for children, but football also involves an element of friction and violence. For me, it was normal for the player to be sent off during the match, but in the end I see these things as part of football."
His intervention comes as FIFA's disciplinary investigation continues, with several Argentina players and members of the backroom staff facing the prospect of sanctions over their role in the post-match altercations.
FIFA also investigating political banner
The world governing body is also investigating Argentina over events after their semi-final victory against England, when several players displayed a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falkland Islands are Argentine"), which appeared to breach FIFA regulations prohibiting political messages at tournaments.
Heroes' welcome despite defeat
Despite the disappointing end to their title defence and the controversy surrounding the team, Argentina received a rousing reception on their return home.
Thousands of supporters gathered in Buenos Aires as an open-top bus carried the squad through the streets following their arrival from the United States. A military band greeted the team at the airport before they walked along a red carpet to the waiting bus.
Messi, however, was a notable absentee.
The 39-year-old captain, who was left in tears after the final defeat, flew separately to his hometown of Rosario rather than returning to Buenos Aires with the rest of the squad. The Inter Miami star is expected to take advantage of the three-week break afforded to World Cup players before returning to club duty in MLS.
Rodrigo De Paul, Cristian Romero, Julian Alvarez and Fernandez were also among the players who did not travel back with the rest of the squad, while Scaloni and veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi were among the first to disembark the team flight.
