Argentina player hits Spain star on the face after World Cup final loss: Unseen footage
Tempers flared immediately after Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup champions as Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes became involved in a heated altercation with several Spanish players.
The cameras showed Paredes confronting Spain defender Eric Garcia shortly after the final whistle. Paredes rushed into the Spanish defender when he was celebrating Spain’s World Cup win. Paredes punched him twice and as the argument escalated, Garcia’s teammate Gavi stepped in, attempting to separate the two and defuse the situation involving his Barcelona teammate.
An animated Paredes then raised his hand towards Gavi before Argentina’s Thiago Almada intervened, pushing the Spain midfielder down so that he could avoid Paredes’ swinging arm. However, despite Almada’s efforts, Paredes hit Gavi in the face as tensions boiled over.
The incident came moments after Argentina’s World Cup title defence ended in heartbreak. The situation was eventually diffused by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who dragged away his players from what could have been a really ugly situation.
Spain vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup Final: Highlights
Here’s the video of the incident:
SPAIN STUN ARGENTINA IN WORLD CUP FINAL
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the match in the 106th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound to hand Spain a 1-0 extra-time victory and their second FIFA World Cup title. The goal came 16 years and eight days after Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner against the Netherlands delivered Spain’s maiden World Cup crown.
Spain dominated proceedings throughout the final, registering 20 shots while Argentina failed to manage one until the closing stages of extra time. The holders were also reduced to 10 men just before the end of normal time after Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
Luis de la Fuente’s side also made history by becoming the first World Cup champions to concede just one goal throughout an entire tournament. Spain remain the only nation to win the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup in successive tournaments, having now achieved the feat twice.
For Lionel Messi and Argentina, the defeat ended a remarkable run that had seen them lift the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi finished the tournament with eight goals and four assists, but was unable to inspire another comeback as Spain held firm to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
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