Argentina, after their long run in the FIFA World Cup 2026, dismally succumbed in the final. Spain secured a 1-0 victory to lift their second World Cup title, but La Roja dominated every minute of the match.

Ferran Torres scored the goal for Spain, but immediately after the final whistle, when the Spain players were supposed to rejoice, their celebrations were delayed for an absolutely shocking act on the field.

An Argentine player named Leandro Paredes decided to vent his frustration and started hitting and kicking Spanish players.

What Happened between Leandro Paredes and Spanish Players?

The post-match incident involving Leandro Paredes was the explosive culmination of a highly contentious and physical World Cup Final. Throughout the match, tensions had been steadily building, fueled by a relentless sequence of nearly fifty fouls and a red card shown to Enzo Fernández during the final moments of extra time.

The moment the referee blew the final whistle to solidify Spain’s 1-0 victory, the built-up frustration erupted on the pitch at MetLife Stadium. As the Spanish substitutes and coaching staff rushed the field to celebrate, a confrontation broke out between Argentina’s Nahuel Molina and a Spanish player. Paredes quickly inserted himself into the fray, aggressively grabbing Spanish defender Eric Garcia by the throat. He first kicked Eric Garcia and then put his hands on his throat.

The situation deteriorated rapidly when Spain’s Gavi intervened. Paredes shoved Gavi in the face, wrestled him to the turf, and appeared to kick out at the Spanish midfielder while he was down. This sequence triggered a chaotic, multi-player brawl that forced Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni to physically separate his players and de-escalate the fighting.

Once order was finally restored, the referee issued a straight red card to Paredes for his actions, leaving Argentina with a bitter disciplinary blemish on the final night of their tournament campaign.

What was Wrong with Leandro Paredes?

It is likely the post-match disappointment. But the idiotic way of his actions are strongly condemnable. The Argentina player had no right to attack and kick Garcia in the first instance, and then what he did to Gavi is inexplicable.

Paredes, 32, attacked a 19-year-old in Gavi, and continued to assault the teenager seriously while the teenager was pinned down. The straight Red Card is justifiable for his actions, but it surely deserves stricter scrutiny. The meltdown from any player is understandable, but without any provocation, the serial attacks in that brutal fashion indicate Paredes’ inability to control his emotions and himself.

It seemed he was a man possessed, uncontrollable and menacing. The way Paredes put his hands on Gavi when the teenager was down reminds some of harrowing scenes. It clearly shows that the Argentine was looking to hurt the Spaniard, and needed people around him to calm his temper down. Defeat and the subsequent emotional instability is understandable, but not this utterly disgraceful act!

At the end of the day, Argentina have left the World Cup with another bitter pill, which may come back to haunt them post-Lionel Messi era.