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Figure caption,

Fight breaks out between Spain and Argentina players at full-time

Members of the Argentina team and backroom staff were involved in altercations with Spain players who had begun to celebrate their World Cup success.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened and any player or coach involved could face suspension, while the Argentine Football Association may also be fined.

Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved, with Paredes pushing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

Spain’s Gavi tried to intervene, but was forced to the ground by Almada, before Paredes pushed Gavi to the turf by putting his hand in the Spaniard’s face.

Ayala then looked to be holding Garcia around the throat, before appearing to strike Spain midfielder Dani Olmo.

‘Let’s forget everything else’

While the match ended with ugly scenes broadcast around the world, questions remain over what happened behind closed doors prior to kick-off.

There has been widespread speculation on social media about what was reported in the Argentina dressing room before the game, including whether Lionel Messi informed his team-mates that the final would be his last match for the national side.

It comes after Argentine television company RLC Noticias posted footage appearing to show Messi urging his team-mates to stay calm on their walk to the tunnel – and “forget about everything else”.

In the footage, which has not been verified by the BBC, Messi is seen saying: “Let’s go, boys, [let’s keep] calm people, calm. The main thing is for us to remain calm, boys, that we remain calm, calm.

“Let’s just concentrate on playing, nothing else, calm OK? Let’s forget everything else.

“Let’s just play, let’s just concentrate on playing. Let’s go.”

‘We must be gracious in defeat’

Enzo Fernandez challenge on Pau CubarsiImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Enzo Fernandez was on a yellow card when he challenged Pau Cubarsi

Back on the pitch, the actions of the Argentina players were heavily criticised, with former England captain Alan Shearer saying: “Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them. There is no place or space for that.

“We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart added: “The game’s done, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened. Disgusting behaviour.”

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni attempted to calm the situation down in his post-match interview and reported: “We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat,” he reported. “Today, we are showing that we know how to lose.

“We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”

Argentina, the World Cup winners in 1978, 1986 and 2022, won their first seven matches in North America, beating Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Egypt, Belgium and England before losing to Spain.

Against Egypt, Argentina were 2-0 down before scoring three late goals to win and in the semi-final with England, the Three Lions led 1-0 until the 85th minute before goals from Fernandez and a Lautaro Martinez header gave them a 2-1 win.

Several media outlets in Argentina have suggested the loss could mark the finish of Scaloni’s tenure as national team coach and called it the end of an era, with talisman Lionel Messi, in tears at the end, unlikely to play at another World Cup.

“The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things,” Messi wrote on social media.

Argentina fans lined the streets to welcome the team homeImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Argentina fans lined the streets to welcome the team home

However, the team were still greeted by thousands of Argentina fans with an open-top bus parade through the streets of Buenos Aires.

Scaloni and 16 of his 26 players returned to the country and were welcomed by a red carpet and military band at Ezeiza International Airport.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who made 11 saves during the final, was among the players in Argentina, but Messi was one of those who did not make the trip, instead returning to Miami where he plays club football for Inter Miami.

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  • FIFA World Cup 2026
  • Argentina

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