• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• Sport
• Football
• World Cup 2026

FIFA must punish Argentina over three disgraceful World Cup final incidents

Argentina laid on a clinic in how not to play and how not to behave in their World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey

[Leandro Paredes]

View 3 Images

Leandro Paredes was sent off for violent conduct

Should that be the last we ever see of Lionel Messi at a World Cup - it was a sorry way to bow out.

Argentina's tournament ended in disgrace and despite their captain's genius, he could not totally distance himself from what can only be described as a national embarrassment.

After all, it was the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who tried to engineer Marc Cucurella's dismissal in a sheer act of desperation

The newly-signed Real Madrid left-back admittedly briefly covered his mouth but the 39-year-old veteran and Enzo Fernandez's unsuccessful attempts to snitch on and intimidate Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic were shameful and smacked of desperation.

The great irony was that not only did Fernandez later get sent off following two yellow cards but Nicolas Otamendi also had the audacity to accuse Rodri and Aymeric Laporte of deliberately trying to influence the officials.

The worst - Leandro Paredes' full-time thuggery - was yet to come - however. Losing your cool is one thing but Paredes lost all sense of self-respect as he jostled, wrestled and attacked Eric Garcia and Gavi.

Special mention to right-back Nahuel Molina for not only playing a key part in Ferran Torres' winner but also punching Rodri.

FIFA are yet to punish Argentina's controversial and offensive 'Islas Malvinas' banner post-England but it's about time they threw the book at Lionel Scaloni's side, who also lost huge respect on the day they vacated their World Cup crown.

Paredes and Molina's behaviour in particular was unsavoury, shocking and utterly unsurprising if you watched him in action against England in Atalanta.

His sole primary purpose on the pitch is to startle the opposition and get under their skin. Little wonder he's earned 84 caps.

[0_GettyImages-2286817680.jpg]

View 3 Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 19: Leandro Paredes of Argentina (5) gets violent against Gavi of Spain (9) after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

Even Scaloni's assistant coach Roberto Ayala thought it was acceptable to put his fist into the face of Spain's Dani Olmo, this is another separate incident that requires policing.

Rather mysteriously, Valentin Barco was nowhere to be seen. He was happy to shout and celebrate wildly - invading the field from the bench - in the face of Jude Bellingham but when Spain were crowned champions, he was nowhere to be seen.

Fernandez's midweek 'Wonderwall' Instagram post mocking England also backfired spectacularly and blew up in his face.

Argentina then took it upon themselves to turn their backs to Spain as La Roja made their way onto the podium to lift the iconic gold trophy - it was a staggering lack of basic respect.

This is all without considering how badly Argentina actually played. They did not have a single shot until the 116th minute.

[Lionel Messi]

View 3 Images

Lionel Messi tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off

Spain centre-back Laporte actually referenced that both he and his teammates felt Argentina went overboard in midweek.

The newly-crowned world champions do not do things in half measures and therefore, saw no reason to revel in the glory of Tuesday's semi-final triumph over France.

Scaloni claimed his players were a "great example for our people and country," and ultimately, if they are honestly a true reflection of the nation's population, it's hard to see Argentina ever being universally popular.

It's a miracle the final was so one-sided when you consider the South Americans were also the only team not to have a single VAR intervention against them, they received the most penalties, had the most opposition goals chalked off, the most opposition yellow cards awarded and they also travelled the least out of all the 48 competing nations.

Equally, it would have been the biggest injustice since Folarin Balogun's red card was overturned had Argentina won.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.