Argentina’s sulking stars turned their backs on World Cup winners Spain yesterday as the newly crowned champions lifted the trophy.
The South Americans were outplayed by Luis De La Fuente’s side in a drab encounter at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Lionel Messi and his team-mates unable to disrupt their rivals with the same aggressive, physical tactics that unsettled England in the semi-final.
Barcelona star Ferran Torres bagged the winning goal in extra time to seal Spain’s second World Cup triumph – after first winning the trophy in 2010 – leaving Messi, 39, in tears at the final whistle.
The 2022 champions collected their silver medals from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump on the stage but opted not to watch as Spain lifted the trophy – despite it being customary in finals of major tournaments.
Instead, the Argentina players, coaching team and staff walked over to the end where the majority of their fans were sat and turned their backs as their rivals celebrated.
Footage shows Spain players holding the World Cup trophy aloft as gold confetti explodes behind them, with the Argentina team facing the other way.
Argentina’s snub came came after the final descended into violence at full time, with a brawl breaking out between the two sides.
Argentina players decided to turn their backs to Spain’s World Cup trophy lift on Sunday
The move came after ugly scenes at the end of the game which Spain won 1-0 after extra time
Some of Argentina’s players lost their heads as Spain’s substitutes and staff ran on to the pitch to celebrate their victory.
Torres’s 106th-minute winner came after Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute following a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi – which summed up the South Americans’ deplorable approach to the game.
At full time, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground.
Argentina’s Nahuel Molina also hit Rodri in the torso as he was running by, while Thiago Almada was also involved.
In the aftermath of the ugly brawl, DAZN Spain claimed Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi complained to Rodri about Las Rojas’ pre-match comments alluding to officiating concerns ahead of the final.
The South Americans had benefitted from a series of questionable decisions heading into the showpiece event, with the Manchester City midfielder raising concerns before the final.
‘You and [Spain team-mate Aymeric] Laporte. Both of you,’ he said to Rodri.
Spain shared fears of roughhouse tactics from Argentina, and their concerns came to fruition with Enzo Fernandez sent off for a shocking challenge on Pau Cubarsi
‘You spent the time crying and complaining about the referees, my friend. But you shouldn’t have spoken before the match, you know that? Didn’t you see what he said this week?’
Argentina were thuggish throughout the World Cup final, just as they had been when they beat England in the semis.
Astonishingly, Fernandez complained against his dismissal for a second yellow, despite it being a clear foul, before attempting to get Chelsea team-mate Marc Cucurella sent off for covering his face while talking to Messi.
New laws state that footballers who cover their mouths when speaking to a player from the opposing team must be sent off, but replays showed Cucurella was simply scratching his nose as he spoke to Argentina’s captain.
Paredes was also fortunate to not be sent off for a second bookable offence in regular time for a foul on the edge of the box which presented Lamine Yamal with a last-gasp free-kick before extra-time.
Argentina only had two shots in the entire match, with the first of coming in the 117th minute.
Donald Trump took centre stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon
It appeared as though Infantino attempted to usher Trump away – but the President remained where he was
There were an estimated 1.5 to 1.8billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, which saw Trump take centre stage during the trophy lift.
The US President refused to step aside to allow the victorious Spaniards to have their moment in the spotlight.
Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players, before officially welcoming Spain’s players up to the stage to lift the World Cup trophy.
The President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft.
Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.
It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained where he was.
He stood to the side of the team as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.
Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the pair undoubtedly clear.
Fans noted that one Argentina star – Tottenham defender Cristian Romero – completely ignored the President as he collected his medal from Infantino.
In a video which swiftly went viral on social media, the Argentinian could be seen receiving his silverware from Infantino before waltzing past Trump on stage.
Meanwhile, the President also presented a trio of awards to Spain’s stars; including the Young Player of the Tournament, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball – which were claimed by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively.
There was a degree of irony in regards to Trump presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy, after previously launching a stinging attack on the country at a UN summit earlier in July for not contributing enough money to NATO.
‘Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate. They don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits,’ he said. ‘Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.’
Then, on his way back to the United States on Air Force One, Trump said Spain had tried to improve their standings with him.
‘I did have issues, and I still do. But Spain, they came back all the way today. Spain was very generous today,’ he said.
Wayne Rooney savaged the 2026 World Cup final halftime show as he described the performance as ‘c**p’ and said the ‘best part was when it ended’ live on BBC
The show delivered a spectacular mix of music, nostalgia and global star power, with the likes of Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and the Muppets all performing under one roof
‘They honoured a request for lots of payments, and if they didn’t, we wouldn’t have even talked to them.’
Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife Melania were seen taking in the action inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite – alongside FIFA president Infantino, Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump also shook hands with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them.
Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, reportedly watched the game from home due to ‘superstition,’ The New York Times reported.
Trump also waved at the crowd from behind the glass.
Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the President’s son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children. Barron Trump also showed up for the big game.
The World Cup final also saw a bizarre half-time show, with Madonna, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, The Muppets and Shakira performing during the 27-minute interval, which was described by Wayne Rooney as ‘c**p’.
‘To be honest, mine was when it finished I like a lot of those artists but to be honest I thought it was c**p’, he fumed.
‘I did honestly. It just didn’t get me going, I wanted the football to be back on. It was a bit flat. I like Burna Boy I like Shakira I like Bieber but that was too flat.’
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