World Cup 2026: Could Argentina face action after post-final trouble?

As the final whistle blew in New Jersey, several Argentine players, including Lionel Messi, collapsed on the field.

While Spain’s players raced around the field in joy, the others stood there motionless.

Rodri, who entered the game in extra time, ran from the bench to his teammates.

The Argentinian defender appeared to punch Rodri in the arm or stomach as he passed Manchester City midfielder Nahuel Molina.

This was the fuse that ignited the problem.

Rodri confronted Molina but it was the Argentinian who came forward aggressively.

Garcia ran to support his teammate, at which point Paredes joined in and punched Garcia in the throat.

Unused substitute Gavi tried to intervene but was tackled to the ground by Thiago Almada.

Paredes then pushed Gavi to the ground, placing his hand on the Spaniard’s face.

Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala then appeared to grab Garcia by the throat. He then attacked Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo.

“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face and he went at them,” Alan Shearer said, according to BBC One. “There is no place or scope for this.

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

Joe Hart added: “Game over, they can have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”

However, trying to calm the situation, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni downplayed the events in his post-match interview.

“We are tolerant in victory, we must also be tolerant in defeat,” he said. “Today we show that we know how to lose.

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