Spain coach Luis de la Fuente described the behavior of Argentina’s players as “intolerable and unacceptable” after their 1-0 defeat in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, which led to clashes between the two teams and an investigation by soccer’s governing body.
After the final whistle, Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes clashed with several Spanish players, including Eric GarcÃa and Gavi, in a brawl that went viral across social media. Players from both teams had to be physically separated, and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni tried to cool them down.
“I find it intolerable and unacceptable from players of that calibre, whom I had been praising in the days before and who have a magnificent coach,” World Cup-winning coach De la Fuente told Spanish state broadcaster TVE on Thursday, according to Reuters.
De la Fuente also praised the Spanish players for maintaining composure and professionalism in the face of Argentina’s aggression and provocations in the World Cup final.
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However, Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala apologized in an interview with Valencia Capital Radio on Wednesday for his verbal altercation with Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo in the chaotic aftermath of the World Cup final.
Under De la Fuente, Spain won the Nations League, the Euro, and the 2026 World Cup. Thanks to excellent defending and goalkeeping, Spain conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament, the fewest in the history of any World Cup-winning team.
