Riots broke out on the streets of Buenos Aires Sunday night as Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in New York. The national team had aimed to become the first to defend the title since Brazil in 1962, and provide Lionel Messi a fitting international send-off.
Argentinian fans, who had gathered to watch the match, clashed with local police in the capital shortly after the final whistle. More than 15 arrests are reported, with injuries sustained by both civilians and officers. The unrest is believed to have begun when fans attempted to breach security around the Obelisk in Plaza de la Republica. As police attempted to manage the crowds, bottles and other objects were thrown, leading to a police response with tear gas and rubber bullets. The melee lasted approximately 20 minutes, resulting in injuries including a man kicked in the face and a woman requiring medical attention.
Disturbing scenes in Buenos Aires mirrored the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed by the Argentine players on the field in New York. Following a contentious match, violence erupted after the final whistle. Leandro Paredes was a prominent figure in the altercations, grabbing Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi. Nahuel Molina also reportedly punched Rodri, with Thiago Almada also involved in the fracas.
During the game, Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle. Paredes also narrowly avoided a red card for a foul that led to a late free-kick for Spain. Head coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to de-escalate tensions but directed his criticism towards the Spanish players.
Lionel Messi also drew criticism for attempting to influence the referee to send off Spain's Marc Cucurella. After Cucurella appeared to say something to Messi, the Argentine forward gestured for the referee's attention, appearing to accuse Cucurella of covering his mouth, a gesture that can lead to a red card under tournament rules. Pundits, including Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart, expressed disappointment with Messi's actions, viewing it as a sign of desperation.
The match saw limited offensive action from Argentina, with only two shots taken during the 90 minutes and extra time. A late goal from Ferran Torres secured Spain's victory and their second World Cup star.