World Cup final: Tensions boil over amid physical play, shoves in the back, resulting in second yellow card for Argentina

After a physical first half that went into the break in a scoreless tie, tensions boiled over early in the second half of Sunday’s World Cup final and resulted in a yellow card for Argentina’s Leandro Paredes . As Spain controlled the ball at midfield, Paredes shoved an unsuspecting Rodri in the back, sending the Spanish midfielder flailing to the turf away from the ball. The whistle blew, and players from both teams converged around Rodri and the official at midfield. Tensions rise between Argentina and Spain players early in the second half pic.twitter.com/eJ8JsyBnCS — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 A handful of Argentinian players attempted to stand over Rodri as he remained on the turf as Spanish players blocked their path. Paredes ran in to join the scrum and delivered more shoves to multiple Spanish players. His second shove of Dani Olmo sent Olmo to the turf, and referee Slavko Vinčić finally determined that Paredes had crossed the line. Vinčić showed Paredes a yellow card. The yellow card was the second of the day for Argentina after Lisandro Martínez drew one in the first half for tripping Mikel Oyarzabal on a challenge. Lisandro Martínez is shown a yellow card for this challenge 🟨 pic.twitter.com/BawIGuQXkn — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 Argentina entered Sunday with a reputation of physical play bordering on dirty . Its play with the World Cup trophy at stake did nothing to dispel that notion.