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.
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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.
2 min(s) read
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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.”
sport3 min(s) read
Published 09:01 20 Jul 2026 GMT
A lip reader claims to know what Donald Trump said to each player following the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.
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 an extra-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.
But following the final whistle, not only was there a brawl between the two sides, but Trump reportedly repeated the same message to players from both sides.
The US leader was joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in the medal ceremony at the New York New Jersey stadium.
He had greeted every player on stage and shaken their hands beforehand, exchanging words with them as they walked past, while Argentinian players Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero blanked his attempts at a handshake.
According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, who spoke to the Express via LipReader Ltd, Trump told each Spanish player: "You are a champ," before adding: "Amazing player."
Trump was jeered by many in the stadium as he walked out alongside Infantino, but he still had a prominent part to play in the medal and trophy presentation.
He also presented Spain with the coveted World Cup trophy, loitering on stage as Spanish captain Rodri lifted it with his teammates in celebration.
Despite efforts from Infantino to get the 80-year-old US President off the stage, Trump seemed determined to stay for the trophy lift before stepping off the stage.
While many backed Argentina and their attempt to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, they showed up with a defensive game plan.
In fact, the South American side wouldn't have an attempt on goal until extra time, as they looked to nullify Spain and defend their box for the entirety of the final.
Lionel Messi barely got a sniff in what was likely his last World Cup game, but Spain were made to work to find their winner in the second period of extra time.
Hope looked all but lost after Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card for a wild challenge on Spain's Pau Cubarsi in the 92nd minute of normal time, with Spain playing against 10 men for the entirety of extra time.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was booked during the game, could be seen having a scuffle with a few Spanish players after the final whistle, with cameras seeing him lunge at some opponents.
All in all, it wasn't a good look for Messi and co as staff had to get involved to break things up.
sport3 min(s) read
Published 14:17 15 Jul 2026 GMT
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.
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.
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.
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.
sport1 min(s) read
Published 17:20 19 Dec 2019 GMT
A dangerous tackle by Argentinian footballer Lucas Torres has been branded the "worst tackle of the year" after it led to a violent brawl between opposing players, news.com.au reports.
The incident occurred during the Lujan Football League Final and left football fans around the world in utter shock.
Torres was nowhere near the ball when he recklessly dived in to tackle his opponent in the last few seconds of the Social Atletico Television vs. La Union de Jaguel match.
Take a look at the worst tackle of the year:
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He missed the ball, knocking over his opponent, who fell forward and landed face-first on the pitch. The move only served to leave the La Union de Jaguel player in sheer agony prompting his enraged teammates to engage in a punch-up with the opposing players.
Players and substitutes began throwing punches left right and center and two of them were even filmed kicking each other. In an attempt to bring an end to the mayhem, the game was brought to an abrupt end. However, even after the players went to their changing rooms, the spat continued - with both sides hurling insults at each other.
ESPN Argentina described the moment as the "worst tackle of the year". And viewers immediately flocked to social media to comment on the terrible tackle.
"How are the lower leagues in Argentina? I'm glad you asked!" one person wrote alongside a clip of the incident.
Others began speculating as to what could have possessed the player to completely disregard the safety of his opponent - all for the sake of getting control of the ball.
"Someone sent this to me thru Whatsapp," they wrote. "I don’t know where it is, I don’t know from when it is. But this lunging tackle only has ONE explanation. The guy’s girlfriend cheated on him with the poor dude on the receiving end. Something along those lines."
And this wasn't even Torres’ first offense in a professional football match. Back in 2016, he was given a 24-day suspension for assaulting a referee whilst playing for Argentinian club Lugano.
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