Ugly scenes at FIFA WC final: Punches thrown, Paredes grabs Garcia by throat after final whistle

Updated On: 20 July, 2026 09:57 AM IST | New York | IANS

Beyond the clash with Garcia, Paredes tackled Gavi to the ground, shoved him in the face, and seemed to kick a boot toward the 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder

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Argentina's midfielder Leandro Paredes (top) clashes with Spain's midfielder Gavi during the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Pic/AFP

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final ended in ugly scenes as the summit clash descended into chaos immediately after the final whistle, with players exchanging punches and Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbing Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

Spain secured their second World Cup title with a tense 1-0 victory in extra time, but the historic win was quickly overshadowed by physical altercations on the pitch, leading to a post-match turmoil.