Read 3 minutesUpdated: 20 July 2026 08:55 AM IST
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was shown a red card after being whistled in Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. In some ugly scenes after the match, Paredes was seen fighting with Spain defender Eric Garcia and Gavi.
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It is unclear what the provocation was but in videos floating around social media, Garcia can be seen falling to the ground seconds after the referee blew the final whistle. He then gets up and has a heated exchange with Paredes who then pushes Garcia away with a hand on the latter’s neck. Additionally, Argentina defender Nahuel Molina was also seen punching the Spanish substitute in the stomach shortly after the final whistle.
Leandro Paredes should be banned for life from international football for brutally attacking Spanish players after the final whistle.
Unforgivable bullying and criminality. pic.twitter.com/aW5NMMIUXE
— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) 19 July 2026
By then Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni got involved and tried to calm Paredes down, but the latter pushed Gavi to the ground and pulled the bib the substitute was wearing. Paredes was tethered to the rim for most of the game. He had earlier been shown a yellow card for shoving Spain forward Dani Olmo, while he was later checking on an injured teammate in front of the referee.
Also read | Ferran Torres extra-time strike defeats Argentina; Spain won the title
Spain prevented Argentina from becoming the first team since 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup title. Spain managed to score the winning goal with their 20th shot in a match in which they dominated. The match ended goalless at full time with Argentina not having a single shot on goal. Nico Williams scored the opening goal of extra time in the 96th minute, beating Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. However, the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the buildup.
However, Williams later turned provider as Barcelona’s Ferran Torres scored the winning goal for Spain in the 106th minute. Pedro Porro sent Williams’s cross past Martinez, forcing the Argentina goalkeeper to catch the ball. Torres bounced the ball lovingly to volley into the back of the net.