The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina was a spectacle, but not in the way you might expect. It was a game marred by dirty tactics, skulduggery, and squealing, leaving purists and fans alike disappointed. While the match was never going to be a classic, the level of aggression and underhanded play was undoubtedly the dirtiest final since 2010. Personally, I think this game raised more questions than it answered, and it's time to dive into the details.
One thing that immediately stands out is the sheer number of fouls and aggressive challenges. The game began with a rugged foul from Alexis Mac Allister, who went in hard on Dani Olmo, leaving the Spaniard in a heap on the floor. While Mac Allister escaped a booking, Nicolas Tagliafico's challenge on Lamine Yamal was more than a little clumsy. The Athletic's refereeing expert, Graham Scott, noted that Tagliafico could have received a yellow card for persistent infringement.
What many people don't realize is that the game's first booking was handed out to an Argentina player in the 41st minute. Mikel Oyarzabal attempted to wriggle free of Lisandro Martinez, but the Argentine defender grabbed Oyarzabal by the waist and then scythed into him from behind. This was a stark contrast to the game's opening minutes, which were full of attacking and free-flowing football.
If you take a step back and think about it, the game's tone shifted significantly at halftime. Leandro Paredes entered the fray and clearly felt the s***housery levels over the opening 45 minutes weren't up to his standards. He elbowed Rodri in the back and earned a yellow card, sparking a melee that included Olmo being pushed over. This was a clear indication that Argentina was willing to resort to more aggressive and underhanded tactics to win the game.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of the Argentina bench. Enzo Fernandez was booked for dissent in the 82nd minute, for a typically calm, understated reaction to not being given a free kick after a feather touch from Rodri. Eleven minutes later, he became the sixth footballer (and, believe it or not, the third Argentinian) to be sent off in a World Cup final. This was a turning point in the game, as Argentina was reduced to 10 men and was intent on making Spain a player light.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the incident involving Lionel Messi. After Fernandez was sent off, Messi was spotted trying to tell the referee that Marc Cucurella covered his mouth to say something, and should be sent off. This incident sums up Argentina's industrial approach to the game, where even the greatest footballer of all time had to resort to squealing to the referee.
In my opinion, the game's dirtiest moment was the shove from Ferran Torres during extra time. While Facundo Medina was taking his time with a throw-in, Torres shoved an Argentina player, causing him to drop to the floor. This was a clear example of Argentina's willingness to resort to physical tactics to win the game.
One thing that raises a deeper question is the role of the head coach, Lionel Scaloni. He rushed onto the field to try to break up a scuffle, but Paredes didn't listen and instead pushed Eric Garcia in the throat. This incident led to another melee, and it's clear that Scaloni's intervention didn't stop the aggressive play.
In the end, Argentina turned their backs on Spain as the victors lifted the trophy. While they may have won the game, they lost the respect of many fans and purists. This game raises important questions about the future of football and the balance between winning and playing the game the right way. Personally, I think it's time for FIFA to take a closer look at the tactics being employed by teams and ensure that the game remains fair and respectful for all players and fans.
