Spain secured their second World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in extra time at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Ferran Torres striking in the second additional period to settle a tense final. The match had already seen Argentina’s Enzo Fernández dismissed for a second yellow card deep in stoppage time, and the South Americans failed to register a single shot on target during the 90 minutes of normal play — a first for any side in a World Cup final. Lionel Scaloni’s team, the defending champions, had reached the decider after a contentious semi-final win over England, but were ultimately undone by a Spanish side that conceded only once throughout the entire tournament.

Within seconds of the final whistle, a mass confrontation erupted as Spanish substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate. Television footage and subsequent videos showed Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes grabbing Eric García by the throat and then pulling Gavi to the ground by his shirt, earning a post-match red card. Earlier in the melee, defender Nahuel Molina appeared to strike Spain captain Rodri as he ran past, sparking a face-to-face exchange that drew in players from both teams. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also captured on video seemingly punching Spain’s Dani Olmo, while Nicolás Otamendi refused Rodri’s handshake and was heard accusing him of “crying all week.”

Reaction from British broadcasters was scathing. Former England internationals Joe Hart, Gary Neville, and Wayne Rooney described Argentina’s conduct as “disgusting,” “a disgrace,” and “really poor,” with Hart singling out only Lionel Messi — who shook hands with every Spanish player — as having shown class. Spanish media outlets labelled Paredes a “public enemy” and his behaviour “scandalous,” while across Europe, German, French, and Italian reports highlighted the ugly scenes that marred the final. Scaloni, for his part, urged his players to “know how to lose” and praised their effort, though he broke down in tears during his press conference.

FIFA confirmed on Monday that its disciplinary committee has opened an investigation into the incidents, appointing a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to examine potential breaches of its code. The probe will also review the conduct of Argentine players during the trophy ceremony, where several turned their backs to the podium as Spain lifted the trophy — a gesture widely interpreted as a snub. Separately, the UK government has formally asked FIFA to investigate the display of a banner reading “Las Malvinas son argentinas” after the semi-final, with a Downing Street spokesman stating that “the Falkland Islands are ours.”

The investigation leaves Argentina facing possible sanctions that could affect players and staff for future international fixtures, though no timetable has been set for a ruling. As Spain’s squad paraded the trophy through Madrid before millions of fans and a reception with King Felipe VI, the Argentine delegation returned to Buenos Aires, where President Javier Milei declared a public holiday to honour the runners-up. The fallout from New Jersey now shifts from the pitch to the courtroom of football’s governing body, with the sport’s oldest rivalry once again under a harsh global spotlight.