Sport2 min(s) read
Published 09:51 20 Jul 2026 GMT
New footage reveals full extent of ugly World Cup final brawl where multiple punches were thrown as TV viewers missed the worst scenes
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.
Brawl breaks out after final whistle
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.
Argentina well beaten
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.















