Luis de la Fuente didn’t hold back. The Spain manager went on Spanish public broadcaster TVE Thursday and called Argentina’s post-match actions “intolerable and unacceptable” after a brawl broke out following the World Cup final. FIFA has already opened a disciplinary investigation.
The fight happened right after Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win, with Ferran Torres scoring the dramatic winner to knock off the defending champions. What happened next was chaos. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat and yanked Gavi to the ground by his bib. Spain captain Rodri got hit in the stomach as he ran past Argentina defender Nahuel Molina. It was ugly, and it was caught on camera.
De la Fuente said he didn’t see the incidents at the time because he was “celebrating with other people.” But when he saw the footage later, he was furious.
“In any case, I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that caliber, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” he said.
Tempers flare after Torres stunner
Spain’s win was massive. They ended Argentina’s reign as world champions on a night that should have been about Torres’ late heroics. Instead, the conversation shifted to the post-match scuffle. Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologized Wednesday for his own confrontation with Spain’s Dani Olmo. Ayala called it a shove, not a punch. Neither side seems interested in backing down.
Gavi surprised some people when he said he doesn’t want Paredes to be suspended for his role in the fight. That’s notable because early reports suggested Paredes might have seen a red card on the field. Turns out he didn’t. The referee let it slide in the moment, but FIFA’s disciplinary prosecutor is looking at everything now.
De la Fuente praises his players’ restraint
While Argentina is facing questions about composure, De la Fuente made a point to highlight how his own team handled it.
“I want to highlight our behavior in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation,” he added. “Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals.”
That’s a pointed contrast. De la Fuente didn’t say it outright, but the implication is clear — Spain kept its cool, and Argentina didn’t.
As for what happens next? FIFA hasn’t set a timeline for the investigation. And here’s the tricky part for any potential bans: Argentina doesn’t have competitive games scheduled in the coming months. So even if Paredes or others get suspended, the punishment might not bite until later in the year. That leaves a lot of uncertainty hanging over the whole thing.
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