‘Salty’ Leandro Paredes Turns Violent After World Cup Final Heartbreak, Grabs Spanish Player by the Neck and Shoves Another

‘Salty’ Leandro Paredes Turns Violent After World Cup Final Heartbreak, Grabs Spanish Player by the Neck and Shoves Another

Argentina's Leandro Paredes throws Spain's Gavi to the ground after the full-time whistle (Image via ESPN/X)

An incident involving Argentina’s defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes and Spain’s Gavi soured the atmosphere of the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday. The referee took appropriate action.

Argentina was reduced to ten men after the referee sent midfielder Enzo Fernández off for a reckless challenge. The game still went to extra time.

Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the first half of extra time. Spain still had a couple of chances later on, but could not add to their lead. The game ended in a 1-0 victory for the European Nation.

Spain became World champions after sixteen years. However, the drama didn’t end with the final whistle. Cameras caught Argentina midfielder Paredes pushing Spain’s Gavi to the ground.

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Argentina were the defending world champions and were expected to retain their crown after a dominant display in the semis against England. However, Lionel Scaloni went defensive against the Spaniards, letting them have the ball, while patiently waiting for a counter. The counter never came.

'Salty' Leandro Paredes Turns Violent After World Cup Final Heartbreak, Grabs Spanish Player by the Neck and Shoves Another
#19 Spain midfielder Lamine Yamal (Image via Sky Sports)

Star player Lionel Messi barely saw the ball. Spain took 20 shots at the goal compared to Argentina’s three the entire game. To rub salt in the wound, Fernández, who had been instrumental in the tournament, was sent off. It built more pressure on La Albiceleste.

The outburst of that pent-up frustration burst out through Paredes. The Boca Juniors midfielder began his small crusade by tripping Spanish defender Eric Garcia. Then he turned his attention toward Gavi. Scaloni rushed to the spot to defuse the tension, but Paredes kept pushing Gavi until he fell to the ground. Eventually, other players helped to de-escalate.

The Argentina players and supporters were already on thin ice due to their antics following their semi-final victory. So, neutrals did not need much to call Messi’s team out for disrespecting the sportsmanship of the game.

The referee made the rare call of showing Paredes a red card even though the match had already ended.

In a different video, fans claimed Paredes did not start the commotion. The clip revealed Argentina defender Nahuel Molina, who was replaced in the second half, threw a punch at Spain captain Rodri’s chest as he made his way onto the field to celebrate with his teammates.

Regardless, Spain are world champions for the second time. Their previous championship victory (2010) also came thanks to an extra-time winner from Andrés Iniesta against the Netherlands in South Africa.

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