Argentina duo Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes may face potential disciplinary action following the ugly brawl that erupted on the pitch following Spain’s World Cup final victory.
Reigning European champions Spain secured their second World Cup title on Sunday and first since South Africa in 2010, thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal.
Violent scenes broke out immediately after the full-time whistle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as Argentina defender Molina appeared to swing a punch into the stomach of Rodri as he ran on to the pitch to celebrate.
The pair then angrily squared up to each other as shoving ensued, with further chaos quickly erupting.
It got a bit heated after full time between players from Argentina and Spain 😠 pic.twitter.com/e2idrEBGP3
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 19, 2026
Paredes was seen grabbing Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing Gavi to the floor as Argentina tempers boiled over at the end of a feisty encounter in which Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card in second-half stoppage time.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez - who scored a stunning equaliser against England in the semi-finals - was initially booked for dissent before receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi, appearing to apologise to Argentina’s fans as he belatedly made his way off the pitch after initial protests.
Gary Neville labelled Paredes as a “disgrace” for his behaviour at full-time, with the Boca Juniors midfielder eventually sent off for his role in the melee to incur a suspension and make it two reds for Argentina on the night.
"It's a disgrace,” Neville said on ITV. “I love the competitiveness of the Argentines, fighting and scrapping for their lives. [Lionel] Messi has propped them up, but it’s been a disgrace the last few games.”
Leandro Paredes was sent off after the final whistle amidst ugly scenes from some of the Argentina players 🔴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 19, 2026
Nahuel Molina also appeared to throw a punch towards one of the celebrating Spain players 😬 pic.twitter.com/LVItPtx08n
On the BBC’s World Cup final coverage, Joe Hart said: “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.
“The game’s done. They could have absolutely no complaints about what happened today. Disgusting behaviour.”
Fellow BBC pundit Wayne Rooney added: “Does it surprise you? It doesn’t surprise me.
“We’ve seen this with Argentina before. It’s just not the reaction you want. We’ve seen some of the reaction after knocking England out in the last round.
“That’s just sad. If you lose a game of football, be graceful and get out of there. It’s really poor from them.”
Paredes and Molina could both now be in hot water with FIFA as they review the regrettable scenes that occurred following the final, while Argentina could face retrospective action for failing to control their players.
The previous World Cup holders also turned their backs on Spain’s trophy lift at the end of a game that saw Argentina fail to register a single shot on target.
