The 2026 FIFA World Cup final ended with Spain lifting the trophy after a 1-0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium. But the lasting image from July 19 wasn’t Faren Torres’s extra-time winner in the 106th minute. It was the ugly brawl that followed the final whistle, punctuated by Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes receiving a red card for shoving Spain’s Gavi.
What actually happened on the pitch
Spain and Argentina played 90 minutes of scoreless football before Torres broke through in the 106th minute of extra time. That goal gave Spain the World Cup, and it apparently gave several Argentine players a reason to lose their composure entirely.
Paredes shoved Gavi after the match concluded, earning himself a post-game red card. Paredes reportedly grabbed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat during the melee. Nahuel Molina, another Argentine player, allegedly attempted to punch Rodri amid the chaos. Major sports outlets described the scenes as disgraceful.
Why this matters beyond sports
