Real or fake red card for Paredes and general brawl: what really happened at the end of Spain-Argentina at the World Cup?

The minutes following Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday in New York were marked by incidents between the two teams. Leandro Paredes was reportedly shown a red card, but this was mistakenly issued by FIFA. We reviewed the footage in detail to get a clearer picture.

Nearly 48 hours after Spain's victory over Argentina in the World Cup final (1-0 after extra time), the post-match incidents continue to generate controversy. After announcing on Monday the opening of an investigation and the appointment of a prosecutor to handle disciplinary and ethical matters, FIFA revealed a significant detail to the BBC: the main protagonist of the clashes, Argentina's Leandro Paredes, did not receive a red card after the final whistle.

The governing body confirmed to British media on Tuesday that a data entry error had been made in the commentators' system, which was quickly corrected. Upon verification, the official match report did not, in fact, mention the sending-off. This did not prevent the false information from spreading worldwide.

Despite everything, the former Paris Saint-Germain player remains under threat of sanction, given his involvement in the incidents widely circulated on social media. To get a clearer picture of the players involved to varying degrees, one only needs to watch the numerous videos released over the past two days, from multiple angles, by anonymous individuals present in the stadium or elsewhere. The chronology of events then becomes somewhat clearer.

Molina stirs up trouble

The first to ignite the conflict wasn't necessarily who you'd expect. It was Nahuel Molina. Exasperated by his opponents running past him, shouting their joy, the Atlético Madrid defender delivered a vicious blow with his right arm to Rodri's chest. The Spanish captain stopped running, turned around, and went back to confront his assailant in the center circle. Molina didn't back down and continued the insults, almost head to head. That was the starting point of the general melee.

Rodri eventually managed to fend off the sore loser with the help of Eric Garcia, while Borja Iglesias, in turn, approached to calm things down with an assistant referee. The incident didn't end there. While Molina managed to extricate himself from the mob that had formed to continue his heated exchange with the player who had been voted best player of the World Cup a little further on, another fire was ignited in parallel by the notorious firebrand Leandro Paredes. It was impossible for the fiery Argentinian midfielder to remain passive as the temperature continued to rise.

After running for a few meters, he lunged at Garcia to push him back, sending the Barça defender sprawling to the ground. Despite the intervention of the same linesman, Mr. Vincic, and Thiago Almada, the situation escalated in an instant. Gavi got involved, striking Paredes in the chest, who retaliated by grabbing his bib and knocking him to the ground amidst the general chaos. Meanwhile, members of the Argentine staff, including Lionel Scaloni and Walter Samuel, rushed over to remove Eric Garcia. Each of the participants in the brawl was gradually escorted away under the watchful eye of an impassive Lionel Messi, who remained at a distance.

Olmo and Williams saw nothing, Yamal was on his knees

Lost in their joy, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams, kneeling in each other's arms, saw nothing of what was happening. Neither did Lamine Yamal, also on his knees, eyes closed, performing what appeared to be a prayer. While he has often been associated with similar incidents in the past, Nicolas Otamendi remained more restrained this time. Even so, the veteran Argentinian, who came on as a substitute in the second half, didn't hesitate to speak his mind to Rodri, who happened to be passing by, in a moment of palpable tension.

“Start talking a little less, idiot. Because you’ve been crying all week. You and (Aymeric) Laporte. We don’t do that kind of thing. You’ve been constantly complaining about the referees, mate,” the 2022 World Cup winner said to his successor. “I respect you,” the Spaniard replied. Otamendi: “But you shouldn’t talk before the match, do you understand?” Rodri: “What did I say?” “And Laporte? Didn’t you see what Laporte said this week?” added Otamendi, pointing the finger at one of those responsible for these outbursts, in his opinion, with his statements in Marca about Argentine aggression before the final.

At least a two-match suspension for Paredes?

Once the heated exchange was over, the players took several minutes to calm down. Paredes was even seen congratulating Pedri and Rodri, as if nothing had happened. For his "improper conduct towards opponents or any person other than match officials, in the event of physical violence (elbowing, punching, kicking, etc.)," he faces a suspension of at least two matches, according to Article 49 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code.

The investigation will also have to shed light on less visible incidents during the heat of the moment, such as an alleged blow struck by Argentine assistant coach Roberto Ayala on Dani Olmo, according to the Canadian television network RDS. However, the footage reviewed provides no evidence to confirm that this actually occurred. By turning their backs on the podium while La Roja lifted the trophy, the Argentine delegation risks nothing, except perhaps further damaging its already tarnished image. They could nevertheless receive a reprimand, or even a fine, since none of their players stopped to speak to journalists in the mixed zone after the match, which is against the rules.