The World Cup final ended in chaotic fashion as tempers flared and players from both sides became embroiled in ugly confrontations after the final whistle.
Argentina’s frustration boiled over when Spain’s substitutes and backroom staff rushed onto the pitch to celebrate a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the South Americans.
Ferran Torres delivered the decisive moment in the 106th minute, striking the winner after Enzo Fernandez had been dismissed in the 93rd minute on a miserable night for a badly off-colour Argentina side.
The scenes escalated after full time, with Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes shown a red card for punching Eric Garcia and shoving Gavi to the turf. Nahuel Molina was also seen striking Rodri in the torso as the Spain midfielder ran past, while Thiago Almada was among those caught up in the melee.
Reacting to the flashpoints on the BBC, Micah Richards condemned Argentina’s conduct, saying: “It’s embarrassing. They were on the cusp every single time.
“Seeing that sort of stuff after the game was played, it’s not good, it’s embarrassing to be honest. Paredes is better than that. We all know what it’s like to lose a game but this is not good enough.”
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off after the final whistle following a violent clash with Spain players
Several players were involved in post-match clashes after Spain’s 1-0 win, with Argentina’s frustrations sparking the disorder
Joe Hart added: ‘Disgusting behaviour. There was one man on that pitch with class and that was Lionel Messi.’
Wayne Rooney said: ‘Rooney: ‘It doesn’t surprise me. We’ve seen this from Argentina before. It’s just sad, very poor from them.
‘If you lose a game of football, be graceful. It’s a reaction to them being outplayed. Enzo Fernandez has got what he deserves it’s well.’
Argentina were thuggish throughout the World Cup final, as they had been against England in the semis.
Fernandez complained against his dimissal for a second yellow but his late foul on Pau Cubarsi, which sent the defender flying, was atrocious.
Paredes was also fortunate to not be sent off in regular time for a foul on the edge of the box which presented Lamine Yamal with a last-breath free-kick before extra-time.
Argentina only had two shots in the entire match, and the first of those only came in the 117th minute.
By contrast, they committed 24 fouls – though Spain didn’t have clean hands themselves, as they gave away 21.
Paredes was blasted for getting violent at the full time and trying to ruin Spain’s celebrations
Alan Shearer said: ‘There’s a way to lose. Too many times we’ve seen that reaction from them. They were trying to win free-kicks and their reaction after full time was terrible. The best team won. It’s a result for football because of the way Spain have played.’
Even Lionel Messi didn’t rise above the dark arts. The legendary forward was lambasted by Wayne Rooney after he tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off during the latter stages of the game.
The game descended into chaos when Fernandez received his second yellow card.
This led to a melee between both sets of players and Cucurella was spotted saying something to Messi.
The left back then put a couple of fingers over his mouth and continued speaking, a move which the Argentine immediately reacted to and waved over the referee.
As per FIFA’s rules for this tournament, if a player holds their hand over their mouth in a confrontational situation, they will be sent off.
This was seen with Miguel Almiron for Paraguay in the group stage and Piero Hincapie in the knockout stages for Ecuador.
However, it didn’t appear that Cucurella was speaking in a confrontational manner and the referee, nor VAR, decided to intervene.
Nevertheless, the BBC pundits were quick to hit out at Messi’s behaviour as his team headed into extra time a man down.
Hart said: ‘Oh wow! Wow! Yeah, I didn’t enjoy that at all from Lionel Messi.
‘You realise how on top Spain are if even Lionel Messi is reverting to that.’
Richards added: ‘We don’t want to see people getting sent off in a World Cup final for that.’
Rooney was similarly furious with Messi’s behaviour as he said: ‘It is desperation.
‘Argentina play like that, we know that’s what they do.
‘But the one thing you want is good sportsmanship and that was sad to see Lionel Messi doing that.’
