Full list of Argentina’s 27 dirty tricks in World Cup final as they ruin greatest match
Argentina enlisted the help of the dark arts in the World Cup final but were architects of their own downfall as Spain lifted the trophy
Argentina have been slammed for their approach to the World Cup final against Spain(Image: Getty)
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the World Cup final after taking the game to extra time. But Lionel Scaloni’s side once again relied on the dark arts and two of their players saw red.
Spain are world champions once more and Luis de la Fuente’s cohort can hold their heads high after their one-goal victory in New Jersey. But the same cannot be said for their opposition.
Much as it was when Argentina clashed with England in the semi-finals, skirmishes, vicious tackles and often embarrassing antics were plentiful during what was meant to be a great display of footballing excellence.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez was sent off at the end of the regulation 90 minutes and the villainous Leandro Paredes received a red post-match for throwing punches. We take a look at all 27 of the dirty tricks Argentina attempted against Spain, to no avail.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page
4 mins
Gonzalo Montiel grabs Alex Baena on the halfway line with the ball overhead and emphatically pleads for a foul. The referee gives it the other way.
6 mins
Alexis Mac Allister pulls Pedro Porro back as he tries to play a one-two on the edge of the Argentina area. No foul given.
8 mins
Nicolas Tagliafico throws himself to the ground after the slightest touch from Lamine Yamal.
14 mins
Mac Allister goes flying in and catches Dani Olmo in an awful tackle. He was lucky not to get a yellow.
19 mins
Cristian Romero ushers Baena out of play and then stares him down as he steps over him in an intimidating manner. This was quickly followed by Fernandez falling to the ground after claiming he was caught from the throw-in.
29 mins
Tagliafico again hauls down Yamal and is basically hanging off his back. No card.
41 mins
Spain attempt to break after winning the ball back but Lisandro Martinez hacks down Mikel Oyarzabal and is shown a yellow card. He was substituted two minutes later.
51 mins
Paredes mindlessly shoulder-charges Rodri in the middle of the pitch with the ball nowhere in sight. He then thuggishly shoves Olmo down and is shown a card amid the ongoing scuffle.
56 mins
Julian Alvarez goes up for a challenge with Aymeric Laporte and leaves an elbow on him. The Spain star goes down clutching his face.
76 mins
Paredes again, having also committed a foul just outside the box before the hydration break, goes flying into Spain substitute Mikel Merino.
77 mins
Pedri gets a dangerous shot off from just outside the Argentina area but is pushed twice by Alvarez, who puts him off. No foul, but the tactics pay off.
81 mins
Giuliano Simeone chases down a loose ball behind Marc Cucurella and delivers an elbow into the Spain defender’s back.
82 mins
Fernandez wants a foul but doesn’t get one so he vents his frustration at the referee and throws his hand in anger. He’s booked for dissent.
84 mins
Minutes after being booked, Fernandez drags down Merino as Spain try to break. The Chelsea man then stands in front of the ball, preventing a quick free-kick.
90 + 1 mins
Lionel Messi runs straight into Laporte, knowing exactly what he’s doing and drawing a late free-kick in a dangerous area.
90 + 3 mins
The flashpoint of the regulation 90. Fernandez, on a yellow, flies into Pau Cubarsi as the ball is cleared. He sends the Spain defender into a mid-air cartwheel and unbelievably tries to plead his innocence as he’s shown a second yellow card and sent off.
90 + 4 mins
To add to Fernandez’s disgraceful behaviour, captain Messi enlists the help of his fellow players to try to get Cucurella sent off for covering his mouth whilst speaking. The Real Madrid defender put his fingers to his lips for a split second at most.
90 + 5 mins
Paredes brings down Ferran Torres just outside the Argentina penalty area. Yamal goes close from the resulting free-kick and the game goes to extra time with La Albiceleste yet to have a shot on target.
Extra time – 92 mins
Tagliafico charges into Porro with his elbow extended. He strikes the Spurs man in the jaw.
96 mins
A ball into the Argentina box isn’t dealt with and substitute Nico Williams pokes it home. But Nicolas Otamendi had chucked himself into the air and screamed as the cross came in and because Merino ever so slightly stood on his foot, the goal is chalked off. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez stays down afterwards for good measure.
104 mins
Simeone waits for Cucurella to reach him as a looping through ball is played into Spain’s half and goes down yelling. The referee was not buying it, as replays showed Simeone had already leapt like a salmon before Cucurella made contact.
105 mins
Tagliafico and Yamal clash again, this time, all the Argentina players run over to an altercation on the touchline. Manager Scaloni got involved in what was a nothing incident.
105 + 2 mins
Tagliafico is barely touched by Torres as Spain have a throw-in but he collapses to the ground once more.
105 + 3 mins
Paredes again. The midfielder barges into Merino’s legs as the Spaniard jumps for the ball in a challenge that could have ended up far worse than it did.
111 mins
Merino is taken out by Mac Allister, who goes into the book more than 100 minutes after he probably should have. Argentina have conceded now and the dirty tactics stop to a degree as they chase the game.
Full time
Spain win the World Cup and Argentina are disgraced in the ensuing celebrations. Paredes is sent off for throwing punches and grappling with Spanish substitute Gavi.
Celebrations
Other players, including Otamendi and Nahuel Molina, also have a pop as what was meant to be an exhibition of the world’s finest footballers concludes with La Albiceleste shamed.
Buy UEFA Nations League VIP tickets
From £99
Seat Unique
Buy tickets
England has three matches lined up for the UEFA Nations League, and tickets can be purchased now from Seat Unique for the Spain and Czechia fixtures.
