Argentina came under intense scrutiny after his FIFA World Cup The 2026 final defeat to Spain, with his behavior during the post-match medal ceremony drawing widespread criticism from sections of the football community. According to Goal.com, many observers labeled the finalists “classless” afterwards Lionel Messi and his teammates chose not to stand on the podium during the presentation of Spain’s trophy. Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday (local time), with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure La Roja’s second FIFA World Cup title. The win also extended Spain’s unbeaten run to a European record 38 matches. The controversy began after Argentina collected their silver medals. Rather than stand to applaud the newly crowned world champions, the players walked to the opposite side of the pitch as Spain prepared to lift the trophy. The gesture attracted attention because Spain had earlier formed a guard of honor and applauded Argentina as they made their way to receive their runners-up medals. The atmosphere was tense during the individual award ceremony. When Rodri stepped forward to receive the Golden Ball for being named the tournament’s best player, sections of Argentine supporters in the stadium responded by chanting Lionel Messi’s name, a moment that also drew criticism. Speaking on talkSPORT, broadcaster Adrian Durham strongly condemned Argentina’s behaviour. “No class. They were absolutely shocking. They were a total disgrace here today. The fans, we think, have been brilliant. But even during the lifting of the trophy, when Rodri went up to take the best player in the tournament trophy, the fans chanted Messi’s name, and they also chanted Argentina. They simply cannot accept that Argentina were beaten in the World Cup final,” Durham said, according to Goal.com. Durham also questioned Argentina’s performances throughout the tournament. “Argentina is a total disgrace to the game, a disgrace to the World Cup. In fact, they were an embarrassment throughout, really, apart from those 20 minutes against England,” he added. Continuing his criticism, Durham said: “Drawn in the easiest group in the history of the World Cup, he did the hard work in the knockouts against Cape Verde, he needed Egypt to catch defeat from the jaws of victory to pass to the quarters, where Switzerland shot itself in the foot with a useless red card.” I also said: “England in the semi-final were on top, they handed it on a plate to Argentina, who came there in the final and they totally embarrassed themselves. Let’s face it, they had Argentina, a ridiculous list of decisions coming into this tournament.” The times were already clear before the medal ceremony. Shortly after the final whistle, players from both sides were involved in a confrontation. Video footage showed Argentina defender Leandro Paredes appearing to grab Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat before pushing substitute Gavi to the ground when he tried to intervene. Players from both teams, along with Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni, quickly intervened to calm the situation. Paredes was later shown a red card after the altercation. It is unclear whether any further disciplinary action will be taken, FIFA did not immediately comment on the incident. The final itself was goalless throughout normal time despite Spain controlling possession and creating the best chances. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a string of outstanding saves to deny Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Pau Cubarsi. Argentina’s hopes suffered another blow in stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Cubarsi, becoming only the sixth player to be sent off in a FIFA World Cup final. Spain finally found the breakthrough in the 106th minute as Nico Williams headed the ball into the path of Torres, who fired home the winner to deny Argentina the chance to become the first nation in 64 years to successfully defend their FIFA World Cup title. While Spain celebrated another historic triumph, much of the post-match discussion centered on Argentina’s actions after the final whistle, with their conduct during the on-field showdown and medal ceremony becoming almost as much debated as the result itself.