Sport4 min(s) read
Published 10:34 21 Jul 2026 GMT
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.
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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, 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!!”
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.”
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2 min(s) read
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sport2 min(s) read
Published 09:51 20 Jul 2026 GMT
Spain claimed their second World Cup title on Sunday after a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina, but the game ended in ugly fashion as a mass brawl broke out on the pitch, with new footage revealing all.
A 106th-minute Ferran Torres strike was the difference between the sides at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, but this wasn’t the only blow to be dealt on the pitch.
After the final whistle blew, Spanish celebrations began as Luis de la Fuente’s squad flooded the pitch in a jubilant mood, but Argentina defender Nahuel Molina took exception to the joy of the opposition around him.
The second-half substitute took a swing at Spain’s Rodri, who can be seen running onto the pitch to join his teammates in celebration, an assault that, unsurprisingly, prompted a fiery confrontation between the two sets of players, with the Manchester City midfielder seen pushing Molina in retaliation.
Rodri's aggressive response to the punch then prompted several players from both sides to intervene, including Argentinian midfielder Leandro Paredes, who lashed out by pushing and kicking Spain’s Eric Garcia, before pushing, choking, and punching Spain and Barcelona’s Gavi.
With Gavi on the ground, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder had to be restrained by several of his teammates, as scuffles broke out amongst other players and staff from both teams.
Paredes, who ought to have been sent off in both the semi-final and final, made countless cynical fouls across both hotly contested games.
Reigning champions Argentina, a famously prickly bunch, had resorted to a string of tactical fouls and dirty ways to stop Spain — the game’s pre-eminent side — from playing with their characteristic dominance and fluidity.
Argentina had already been reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernandez was dismissed for a foul on Pau Curbasi in second-half stoppage time, in a game where they threw more punches (6) than had shots on target (0).
Lionel Scaloni's side have developed a reputation throughout the tournament for classless behavior, saving their best until last, but unfortunately for them, the same can't be said for their display on the pitch.
sport3 min(s) read
Published 09:33 16 Jul 2026 GMT
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 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).
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.
sport3 min(s) read
Published 13:04 20 Jul 2026 GMT
President Donald Trump had an unfortunate moment in the spotlight while he was presenting Spain with their winners' medals following the World Cup final on Sunday (July 19).
Spain were victorious over Argentina in the long-awaited conclusion to this summer's competition, winning 1-0 after extra time, thanks to a goal from substitute Ferran Torres.
It was heartbreak for Messi and his Argentina side, at what is likely the sporting legend's final hurrah at the World Cup.
Trump was very much involved in post-match activities, following a post-match brawl between the sides.
Trump spoke to players while handing out losers and winners medals, as some making it very clear that they were not fans of his.
But unsurprisingly, that wasn't the end of the controversy.
The President underwent a walk of shame, as he was booed while walking across the pitch after the final, at the New York-New Jersey stadium on Sunday.
As reported by HuffPost White House reporter S.V. Dáte, jeering could be heard from the crowd, with his coverage echoed on X.
He wrote: “Ambient crowd noise was about 78 decibels. Booing brought it to 84,” which is said to be around the same noise level as a diesel truck driving past.
The President would go on to make headlines as he stayed on stage while Spain lifted the trophy, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's attempts to usher him off.
Trump was seen next to the team as smoke machines and confetti cannons went off, before slowly making his way off stage.
SBS, an Australian broadcaster, joked about the moment, which many perceived to be a moment of attention-seeking.
A commentator from the network can be heard saying: “They can edit him out of that,” which the Spanish team seemingly did on social media.
Social media users described Trump as an "embarrassment" following the bizarre moment, with another writing: "Editing Trump OUT is the best idea I’ve heard yet! Let’s just edit him right out of everything."
Spain emerged as 1-0 victors over Messi and his Argentina side, in a scrappy final that likely won't be remembered by many.
La Roja won't care too much, as a stoppage-time half-volley by substitute Ferran Torres sealed the European champions' second-ever World Cup win, 16 years after their 2010 victory.
Their opponents didn't pose too much of a challenge attacking-wise, as Argentina became the first-ever team to go 90 minutes without a shot in a World Cup final.
With that being said, La Albiceleste were scrappy and disciplined in defence, with this reckless style of play leading to Enzo Fernandez being sent off in second-half stoppage time.
Spain will be pleased with the result, which sees a second star being added to their badges, while their captain Rodri was named player of the tournament.
sport3 min(s) read
Published 09:38 20 Jul 2026 GMT
After Argentina’s devastating defeat in the World Cup final, two players were spotted snubbing the US President during the medal ceremony.
Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were spotted not-so-subtly skipping a handshake with Donald Trump before shaking the hands of the two other hosting heads of state, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In protest of either the result or the widely documented alleged corruption that has plagued the competition, Manchester United centre-back Martinez decided not to shake hands with either FIFA boss Gianni Infantino or Trump during Argentina’s silver medal ceremony.
Unsurprisingly, Infantino also promised Trump the job of handing the victorious Spain captain Rodri the gold trophy.
While the champions, who won 1-0 in extra time, were celebrating their second World Cup win, some Argentina players pounced on their competition and viciously attacked them in anger.
Moments after the final whistle, 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.
The 39-year-old was even seen in tears looking at the crowd after the final whistle was blown. However, it was the team’s head coach who appeared the most emotional, even cutting a press conference short as he could not hold back the tears.
Lionel Scaloni, who guided the team to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, questioned his future as the team’s most important player.
He said: “I feel the need to think because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do something as big as this.
“We would have to talk about it. My place is everyone’s dream place. We tried until the very last moment to give our all as a coaching staff, the players too, and I think it’s only fair to consider it. This place is wonderful.
“I never imagined I’d be here. To move forward, a lot of things are needed. Above all, we need to reset, to form a group like this, which is unlikely to ever be formed again. It breaks my heart. I’m sorry.”
world2 min(s) read
Published 14:31 22 Dec 2022 GMT
Argentina has been celebrating its World Cup win with large-scale parties - but the celebrations took a nasty turn after a fan lost his life and a five-year-old was left in a coma.
Argentina came out on top of a nail-biting encounter with France in the World Cup final on December 18, with Lionel Messi wrapping up his illustrious career with the biggest prize in soccer.
He netted twice during the game, with Kylian Mbappe of France finding a response every time. The game went to penalties and Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez proved to be the hero after saving one and seeing another go wide - though his antics after the game had divided opinions.
As per the BBC, an estimated 5 million people took to the streets of Buenos Aires (Argentina's capital city) as the heroic players displayed the newly won trophy on an open-top bus.
Revelers flocked to the streets wearing Argentina's famous blue and white soccer jersey - and the day was even declared a public holiday.
The celebrations soon descended into chaos as things got out of hand. Police were attacked with missiles, a fan lost his life and a five-year-old boy has been left in a coma.
The players and team staff on the bus had to abandon the vehicle as it became clear that it was impossible to drive through the thick crowds. A helicopter picked them up and they waved from afar.
As reported by the Mirror, the man who unfortunately died during the celebrations was standing on a rooftop when one of the plates broke - causing him to fall from a great height.
The outlet also states that a five-year-old boy was hit by a piece of a monument that fell in the Plaza San Martin, leaving him in a coma and needing intensive care.
Young men were also reported to have been seen pelting police with bottles and stones, as law enforcement was forced to hide behind riot shields.
Eight officers were left injured with 13 people arrested for their actions - though this number is expected to rise in the coming days when events of the day become clearer.
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