Luis de la Fuente Condemns Argentina Players' Conduct After World Cup Final

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has condemned the “unacceptable” conduct of several Argentina players and members of their coaching staff in the aftermath of the World Cup final in New York.

Spain edged a tense final 1-0 after extra time last Sunday, a night that should have been remembered purely for footballing drama. Instead, the closing images were scarred by confrontations on the pitch as some Argentina players and staff went after their Spanish counterparts once the final whistle sounded.

Among those involved were Atletico Madrid defender Nahuel Molina and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes, both seen in the footage that quickly spread across social media.

De la Fuente admitted he did not initially grasp what was happening.

“At the time, I didn't realize it. I was celebrating, hugging teammates,” he told Spanish television. The joy of a world title had briefly shielded him from the chaos unfolding just metres away.

Once he saw the scenes back, his tone hardened.

“In any case, it is intolerable, unacceptable, it cannot be allowed,” he said. “Players of that stature, whom I praised in the days leading up to the match and continue to praise, who are great players with a tremendous coach, surely they must have felt just as bad as we did seeing those reactions.”

The Spain coach highlighted what he called the exemplary restraint of his own squad in the face of what he described as “acts of aggression” and “provocations” that, in his view, had the potential to spiral into something far more serious.

The images have been replayed endlessly, dissected from every angle, yet no formal sanctions have been imposed on the Argentina players involved so far. The story has now moved into the hands of the sport’s authorities.

FIFA has opened an investigation to determine whether the conduct of those involved breached the governing body’s disciplinary code. The world champions have their trophy; they may now have questions to answer as well.