World Cup brawl sees Argentina player putting hand on throat of Spain opponent after match

Leandro Paredes of Argentina confronts Eric Garcia of Spain after the FIFA World Cup final match at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19, 2026.(Marvin Ibo Guengoer-GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Paredes was issued a red card after the whistle and was sent off.He was also given a yellow card during the match for a hard tackle shortly after coming into the match.

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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni was held back by a Spain player while he shouted at someone.Nicolas Otamendi exchanged words with several Spanish players, including Rodri.

“We are gracious in victory, and we must be so in defeat,” Scaloni said,via ESPN.“We accept the loss;we gave everything.We were stretched thin coming into this, but giving it your all, like they did today, sets a great example for our people and our country.

Referee Slavko Vincic of Slovenia shows a yellow card to Argentina’s Leandro Paredes during the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J.(Pamela Smith/AP)

“You lose, and you have to pick yourself up again.”

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BBC’s Joe Hartripped Argentina over thebrawl.

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“There was one man on the pitch who did have class and that was Lionel Messi, who shook hands with every one of those Spanish players,” he said,via Goal.com.“The game’s done.They could have absolutely no complaints about what happened today.Disgusting behavior.”

Spain’s Gavi falls as he scuffles with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes and Thiago Almada during the World Cup final match, Sunday, July 19, 2026.(Yuki Iwamura/AP)

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Ferran Torres scoredthe go-ahead goal for Spain in extra time, giving them a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.