The 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a close on Sunday (July 19), with Spain emerging 1-0 victors over Lionel Messi and his Argentina side.

Ferran Torres was the hero, coming off the bench to lash home a 106th-minute extra-time half-volley past a helpless Emiliano Martinez.

It may have been Messi's last attempt at winning the biggest prize of them all as he approaches 40, but Argentina didn't do much to help him at the final hurdle.

Following a dramatic semi-final win over England, Argentina came into the final with one goal: to stop Spain at all costs.

And over the course of 90 minutes, they did, with several fouls and last-ditch tackles all over the pitch, culminating in a careless red card for Enzo Fernandez at the end of normal time.

Some players were dirtier than others, and one of the main culprits was Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes.

In fact, the former PSG man may be under investigation by FIFA for his conduct in the final.

The World Cup Final ended in a mass brawl, as Leandro Paredes pushed Eric Garcia. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Leandro Paredes faced investigation by FIFA

FIFA is reportedly investigating the "violent conduct" from Leandro Paredes after it was shown on broadcast that he was shown a straight red card after allegedly grabbing the throat of Spain's Eric Garcia.

Paredes and teammates Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada, and assistant coach Roberto Ayala all appeared to be involved in the scuffle.

But according to the BBC, Paredes was never shown a red card by referee Slavko Vincic and was instead incorrectly reported on FIFA's commentator information system.

It would be deleted shortly afterwards, as FIFA confirmed that no disciplinary action will be taken despite his actions.

Argentina is already undergoing an investigation after raising a banner about the Falklands following their last-gasp victory over England.

Parades releases statement

Parades, 32, has since taken to social media, speaking about his World Cup journey and his pride of being part of the "best" Argentinian team in history.

He posted several images from his time at this year's World Cup, including one of him passing the trophy with his silver medal.

While many may remember Paredes' main contribution to the tournament as the fight with Spain after the final whistle, he swerved the topic completely in his post.

He penned: “THANK YOU ARGENTINA !!! I LOVE YOU TODAY AND ALWAYS,

“Today it's time to write with a lot of pain in the soul for not having been able to give them that joy that our country so deserves, but with the chest full of pride for giving everything we had and leaving our flag again on the highest!

“Thanks to everyone who was part of this selection, to this group of players who gave their lives to represent this shirt as it did until the last second of each game!

“It was an honor to be part of the best Argentinian national team in history!!”

Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the New York-New Jersey stadium on Sunday. Credit: Hector Vivas - FIFA / Getty

FIFA released a statement after the incident

Footage after the full-time whistle showed Paredes lunging towards his Spanish counterparts, putting his hands on both Garcia and his teammate Gavi.

The latter could be seen being thrown to the ground by the Boca Juniors midfielder.

A FIFA statement read: “Following an assessment of the relevant match reports for the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, and in line with article 36 of the FIFA disciplinary code (FDC), the FIFA disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to investigate potential breaches of the FDC with regard to the post-match incidents,

“Further details will be communicated by the FIFA disciplinary committee once the prosecutor’s report has been completed.”

Featured image credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

It's the end game for soccer fans across the globe this week.

There is just one FIFA World Cup semi-final left before the final is played on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, the pinnacle of international soccer.

Spain shocked the world and played France off the pitch in Tuesday's semi-final, coming out as 2-0 victors - they will now wait for tonight's result between England and Argentina to discover their final opponents.

England fans will be hoping that they can bring football home for the first time in 60 years, while Messi and Argentina will hope they can secure back-to-back World Cup wins after 2022's triumph.

Last edition's final between France and Argentina was one for the ages, with a 3-3 draw after extra-time forcing the game to penalties.

But in one split second following the most tense of moments at the final in 2022, a cameraman got a glimpse of a fan in the crowd who got a bit too excited, creating one of the most unexpected NSFW World Cup moments in recent history.

A World Cup fan was caught exposing herself mid-game at the tournament. Credit: MB Media/Getty Images

Accidental broadcast of a flasher

With Argentina's fourth penalty, right-back Gonzalo Montiel stepped up and buried his shot into the bottom left corner, securing a 4-2 shootout win before taking off his shirt and bursting into tears.

It was an emotional moment for Argentinian football, securing their first World Cup win since 1986 and Lionel Messi's first capture of the trophy in his career.

But among the celebrations, a BBC cameraman panned to the crowd and spotted a female Argentinian fan with her top off and her breasts out.

The footage played over a discussion between Gary Lineker and fellow pundits Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Pablo Zabaleta, who were reflecting on Argentina's third World Cup win.

Cameras quickly cut away from the crowd after realizing their mistake, with the fan standing in front of the spectators, with a banner beneath her.

She could be seen removing her top as the cameras panned to the crowd after the ceremony, but after turning to the fans and revealing her breasts in celebration, security took action.

The fan was removed from the stadium after women attending the 2022 World Cup in Qatar were warned about respecting the nation's strict laws on clothing and public indecency, which included a ban on tight clothing.

Ahead of tonight's semi-final showdown, broadcasters will be hoping to avoid any similar episodes.

The ecstatic Argentina fan couldn't hold it together after the penalty shootout win. Credit: X

Fans reacted to cameraman blunder

Many eagle-eyed viewers were all too happy to talk about what they'd seen broadcast on live TV, as one joked: "She'll get a yellow card for that."

Another commented: “I spotted her, very brave! She’ll be arrested over there if she’s not careful…”

A third suggested: "Fortunately, it was the last game. She must be in Jail now," speaking about Qatar's no-nonsense laws.

“I'd be posting my boobs later to celebrate Messi and Argentina's World Cup,” an overly eager Messi fan wrote on social media.

Featured image credit: MB Media/Getty Images

Millions of England fans have woken up this morning with a sore head and a feeling of despair.

Argentina emerged victorious over the Three Lions in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night (July 15), winning 2-1 in a dramatic tie.

England took the lead in the 55th minute, but a number of bad substitutions and a change in game plan invited Argentina back into the game, as they staged a late comeback.

Goals in the 85th and 92nd minute condemned England to a familiar fate, while Argentina marched on to their second World Cup final in a row.

But aside from the footballing battle, the match between the two nations was very politically charged.

This is due to the decades-long controversy around the Falkland Islands, an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, just 300 miles off the coast of Argentina.

While it is a self-governing British Overseas Territory, Argentina continues to claim it, calling the archipelago the Islas Malvinas.

But Argentinian players took matters a step further, unfurling a banner after the game which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," translating to "The Falkland Islands are Argentinian," before leaving it on the pitch.

Argentina could be fined by FIFA after brandishing a controversial banner after their World Cup semi-final victory over England. Credit: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images

Potential punishment from FIFA

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had said that he didn't want the game to become about the conflict over the British territory, but some of the players had other ideas.

Political tensions have lingered for decades between Argentina and Great Britain over the Falkland Islands.

This all stems from a 74-day conflict in 1982 during which 655 Argentine servicemen, 255 British servicemen and three people from the islands died, in the Falklands War.

But according to football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and FIFA, there are heavy restrictions on political messages being sent by teams or supporters.

Any political flags, slogans and symbols being displayed can result in a punishment.

The IFAB law states: "Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.

"Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo.

"For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA."

This isn't the first time that Argentinian players have sent a message about the Falklands, having held up a banner with the same wording following a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.

FIFA would fine the Argentine Football Association £20,000 ($27,000).

Lamine Yamal and Spain are waiting for Argentina in the World Cup final. Credit: Omar Vega/Getty

World Cup final: Spain vs Argentina

The European champions will face the South American champions in the pinnacle of international soccer, with Lionel Messi coming up against Lamine Yamal.

They will face off at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 20, to decide who will win the sport's biggest prize.

While Messi and co. will be looking to become the first team in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cups, Spain will be hoping to win their second World Cup, with Yamal looking to write a new chapter in the nation's storied sporting history.

Featured image credit: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images

Amongst the chaos that broke out between Argentina and Spain’s soccer players after the final whistle was blown at Sunday’s World Cup final, two of the team’s most well-known players shared a sweet moment.

An investigation has been launched after the losing team’s Leandro Paredes launched himself at Spain’s Gavi. Then, Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch at one of the Spain subs running on to join in with his team-mates’ celebrations.

Tensions were particularly high as the game was set to be legendary soccer player Lionel Messi’s last appearance for his country in an international competition, so he was hoping to go out with a bang.

Messi and Yamal shared an embrace. Credit: FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The most important players on the pitch found eachother

Setting an example of proper sportsmanship, Messi stayed out of the scrap and instead found Spain’s youngest player, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who is on track to match the Argentinian’s record as the only person to compete in six World Cups.

The pair embraced and exchanged sweet words of encouragement, which Yamal shared with the media. He told Spanish publication Marca: “He’s the greatest player in history and someone I’ve always looked up to. After the match, I wanted to show him my respect.

“He told me to keep following my path and that the future belongs to our generation. Those words are worth as much as the gold medal hanging around my neck.

“If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be here lifting the World Cup after playing against Lionel Messi, I would have thought they were crazy.”

Messi was devastated about not winning his final World Cup

News of the heartwarming interaction comes shortly after Messi took to Instagram to share his dismay at losing the last World Cup he plans to compete in.

In the moving post, he wrote: “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal.

“But I also hold onto all the good things… The matches we turned around by giving it our all - moments that will remain in our memories forever - and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group’s hard work and effort, brought us back among the world’s elite once again. It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.

“I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”

Featured image credit: FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most famous soccer players, has publicly shown his support for a conspiracy theory that claims FIFA fixed the World Cup final.

On Instagram, the only player to have competed in six World Cups liked a video that accused the soccer governing body of corruption and suggested that Argentina had paid its way into the tournament final.

However, the 41-year-old is not the only one who claims to have spotted something fishy going on, as there is a huge amount of speculation online as to why the violent team has been allowed to get away with outrageous behaviour on and off the pitch.

Argentina were not punished for the stunt pulled against England

Many people were appalled when the Argentina players were not penalised for holding an offensive and inflammatory sign referring to the British Overseas Territory - the Falkland Islands - after beating England in the semi-finals.

World Cup Final ends in mass brawl, as leandro Paredes pushes Eric Garcia. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Clearly, Ronaldo seems to agree with the populations of the other countries that competed that legendary soccer player, Lionel Messi’s team, were let off lightly by FIFA.

His suspicions were confirmed by fans who spotted that the Portuguese player had liked a video that accused the governing body of being 'one of the most corrupt institutions on planet earth.'

The accusatory comment was made by Espejo Publico journalist Pilar Rodriguez Losantos, who described FIFA as a 'mafia' and a 'shameful organisation'.

Alongside contributor Rubén Amón, the journalist suggested that the entire 2026 World Cup was rigged in favour of Argentina.

Losantos told Espejo Publico viewers before Sunday's final: "Argentina should have been eliminated at least five matches ago!

"They're still in the tournament thanks to FIFA's help! So I'm not afraid of Argentina at all. I'm more afraid of Infantino.

"I don't think we're going to be playing against Argentina, but against the whole of FIFA, who want to hand the World Cup to Lionel Messi."

Messi follows a regimented diet and exercise routine. Credit: Icon Sportswire/Getty

Messi claims his team have done nothing wrong

However, following the Falklands fiasco, Messi hit back at claims that he or his teammates have benefited from bosses’ biases.

Inter Miami star said: "What this group has achieved is incredible - another final, we’ve come back to be world champions, we’re the best in the world after these four years, whether people like it or not, and no matter what they say.

"This proves that what we did wasn’t by chance and that nobody gave us anything. Reaching two World Cup finals is something few achieve, and this group did it.

"I know and we knew what we were capable of. People out there had doubts, but when this group comes together and is united, it finds what it doesn’t have to give its all."

Featured image credit: Al Bello/Getty Images