Argentina's attempt to secure back-to-back World Cup titles ended in a defeat to Spain during a final held in New York. The loss triggered violent clashes between fans and police in Buenos Aires and was marked by significant disciplinary failures from the Argentine squad.
Ferran Torres' late winner and the two-shot struggle
The World Cup final in New York was characterized by a lack of offensive momentum from Argentina, who managed only two shots throughout the entire duration of the match, including extra time. According to the report, Spain secured their second star thanks to a late goal scored by Ferran Torres, capping off a cagey and attritional contest that left the Argentine side unable to find a breakthrough.
This result prevented Argentina from becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a World Cup title. The match was intended to be a crowning achievement for Lionel Messi's international career, but instead, it ended in a frustrating defeat that left the team's legacy clouded by a lack of clinical execution on the pitch.
15 arrests and tear gas at the Plaza de la Republica
In the Argentine capital, the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the match turned violent shortly after the final whistle. As reported in the source, dissenting fans clashed with local police in the Plaza de la Republica near the Obelisk, leading to more than 15 arrests and multiple injuries to both civilians and officers.
The unrest escalated as fans attempteed to breach the protective cordon around the Obelisk, prompting riot police to deploy batons, shields, rubber bullets, and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The violence spilled over onto Avenida Belgrano, with reports of a man being kicked in the face and a woman requiring urgent medical attention on the street during the 20-minute melee.
The brawl involving Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina
The chaos in Buenos Aires mirrored a breakdown in discipline among the Argentine players in New York. The reprt details a post-match brawl where Leandro Paredes acted as a primary instigator,throttling Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground. Simultaneously, Nahuel Molina punched Rodri in the torso, while Thiago Almada also joined the fray.
The lack of composure extended to the match itself,where Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless flying tackle on Pau Cubarsi. While head coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to intervene, the report notes that he directed his frustration toward the Spanish players rather than effectively controlling his own squad's volatility.
Lionel Messi's clash with Marc Cucurella and the VAR silence
Even the career of Lionel Messi was marred by gamesmanship during the final stages of the match. Messi attempted to have Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella sent off by alerting the referee that Cucurella had covered his mouth—a gesture that, under specific FIFA rules for this tournament, can warrant a red card if deemed confrontational.
Despite the attempt, neither the referee nor the VAR intervened, as the gesture was not viewed as confrontational. This behavior drew sharp criticism from BBC pundits; Wayne Rooney described the move as "desperation," while Joe Hart and Micah Richards expressed disappointment that a figure as prominent as Lionel Messi would resort to such tactics in a World Cup final.
Several questions remain regarding the officiating of the match. It is unclear why the referee's interpretation of the "mouth-covering" rule differed so starkly from previous matches involving Miguel Almiron and Piero Hincapie, and whether the Argentine team's aggressive conduct was a result of tactical desperation or a systemic failure in leadership under Lionel Scaloni.
Comments 0