Argentina under scrutiny after game fifa world cup After losing to Spain in the 2026 final, their behavior at the post-match awards ceremony aroused widespread criticism from the football community. According to Goal.com, some observers later labeled the runner-up “classless” Lionel Messi During the awards presentation in Spain, his teammates chose not to remain on the podium. On Sunday local time, the Spanish team defeated the defending champion Argentina 1-0 after overtime at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute, winning the World Cup for the second time. The victory also extended Spain’s unbeaten European record to 38 games. The controversy began after Argentina won the silver medal. As Spain prepared to lift the trophy, instead of staying to applaud the newly crowned world champions, the players walked to the other side of the pitch. The move raised eyebrows as Spain had earlier formed a guard of honor and applauded Argentina as they received their runners-up medal. The atmosphere at the individual award ceremony was still tense. When Rodri stepped forward to collect the Ballon d’Or for being named the tournament’s best player, some Argentinian fans in the stadium responded by chanting Lionel Messi’s name, a moment that also drew criticism. Broadcaster Adrian Durham strongly condemned Argentina’s actions on talkSPORT. “There’s no class whatsoever. They’re absolutely appalling. It’s a complete disgrace that they’re here today. We think the fans are brilliant. But even as the trophy was being lifted, the fans were chanting Messi’s name and they were chanting Argentina’s name as Rodri took the stage to receive the tournament’s player of the tournament trophy. According to Goal.com, Durham said they simply cannot accept Argentina being defeated in the World Cup final. Durham also questioned Argentina’s performance throughout the game. “Argentina made this game a complete embarrassment and made the World Cup an embarrassment. In fact, apart from those 20 minutes against England, they were an embarrassment. ” he added. Durham continued his criticism: “Drawed in the easiest group in World Cup history and after a strong performance in the knockout round against Cape Verde, Egypt needed to bite back defeat to advance to the quarter-finals, while Switzerland shot themselves in the foot with an unnecessary red card.” He further claimed: “England took the lead in the semi-finals and conceded the lead to Argentina, who came to the final and deeply embarrassed themselves. Let’s face it, they were facing an Argentina team that had made a series of ridiculous decisions at this World Cup. “ Anger had already erupted before the awards ceremony. Shortly after the final whistle, players from both sides clashed. Video footage shows Argentina defender Leandro Paredes appearing to grab Spanish player Eric Garcia by the throat and then pushing substitute Garvey to the ground as he tried to intervene. Players from both teams, as well as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, quickly intervened to calm the situation. Paredes was then shown a red card after an altercation. It was unclear whether further disciplinary action would be taken and FIFA had no immediate comment on the incident. The final remained scoreless throughout normal time despite Spain dominating possession and creating the better chances. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a series of excellent saves to deny Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Paulo Kubalsi. Argentina’s hopes were dealt another blow in stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card for a late foul on Kubalsi, becoming the sixth player to be sent off in a World Cup final. Spain finally broke through in the 106th minute when Nico Williams headed the ball into the path of Torres, who fired the winner into the net to deny Argentina the chance to become the first country in 64 years to successfully defend their World Cup title. As Spain celebrated another historic victory, much of the post-match discussion focused on Argentina’s conduct after the final whistle, with their conduct during the on-field confrontation and the medal ceremony almost as widely debated as the result itself.
