World Cup final ends in scuffle as Argentina’s Leandro Paredes grabs Spain’s Eric García by the throat

Tensions were high in a physical World Cup final, and Argentina's Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain's Eric García by the throat in a scuffle in the aftermath of Spain's 1-0 win . The game featured seven yellow cards and a red card on Argentina, and Spain scored late to secure its second World Cup title as Argentina played a man down in extra time. When the final whistle blew, Paredes wasn't ready to call the score settled. Paredes, who was at the center of second-half tensions that resulted in his own yellow card, got into it with García as Spain's on-field celebration ensued. As Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stepped in to intervene, Paredes grabbed García by his throat and shoved him backward. Tempers flare after the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup Final as Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni is there to break it up pic.twitter.com/43wXZDGgCO — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 Replay shows Paredes then going after Spain's Gavi and shoving him to the turf. Tensions flared after Spain beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final pic.twitter.com/WRLlMWGF6W — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 Video from the stands shows the full confrontation that eventually drew several players from both teams, but settled quickly after Paredes' shove of Gavi to the ground. pic.twitter.com/r2kovbXTjy — SoP @sportsonpredict (@ansiebos) July 19, 2026 It was an unfortunate if not unexpected conclusion to a game marked by physical play and frustration by an Argentina team that failed to put a shot on goal while surrendering 12. Paredes got into it earlier Paredes was in the middle of it throughout. He was issued a yellow card early in the second half after shoving Rodri in the back to the turf during gameplay and delivering more shoves after the whistle blew. Tensions rise between Argentina and Spain players early in the second half pic.twitter.com/eJ8JsyBnCS — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 Enzo Fernández was then sent off for a physical challenge that drew his second yellow card and an automatic red card in second-half stoppage time. Another look at the challenge from Enzo Fernández that resulted in his second yellow card and subsequent sending-off. pic.twitter.com/6TAclFhmDY — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 Fernández's ejection left Argentina to play the entirety of extra time a man down, and Spain ultimately broke through with a game-winning goal by Ferran Torres early in the second period of extra time. WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?! SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME 🇪🇸🤯 Ferran Torres gives La Roja the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/hLso0tg3LI — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026 When it was done, Argentina's quest for a second consecutive World Cup title had ended in frustrating fashion. And Paredes wasn't ready to let it go after the final whistle.