Leandro Paredes sent off after final whistle as Argentina’s World Cup ends with punches and in disgrace

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Argentina’s World Cup ended with punches thrown and the former champions left in disgrace following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final.

There were chaotic scenes after the full-time whistle in New Jersey as the Spain substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate victory.

Nahuel Molina, the Argentina defender, appeared to swing a punch into the stomach of a Spain player as he ran past him onto the field.

Then, there was a violent clash involving midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was pictured shoving Spain’s Eric Garcia by the throat.

(Reuters)

Paredes then wrestled Spain’s Gavi to the ground and pushed into his face before appearing to kick out at his opponent.

Argentina were attempting to a second World Cup in a row for captain Lionel Messi, who was playing on the World Cup stage for the final time.

But the antics of the rest of the Argentina team were quickly condemned as the scenes after the final whistle soured Spain’s deserved victory.

“It’s a disgrace,” Gary Neville said on ITV. “I love the competitiveness of the Argentines, fighting and scrapping for their lives, Messi has propped them up, but it’s been a disgrace the last few games.”

“Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them,” Alan Shearer said on BBC. “There is no place or space for that.

“We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina. The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

Meanwhile, the tears rolled down Lionel Messi’s face as he watched the Argentina fans following defeat in the World Cup final.

Messi, 39, is yet to confirm his future plans but the expectation is that one of the greatest to grace the game has played his final World Cup before retirement.

The Argentina captain was left frustrated as Spain dominated the final, with the European champions winning 1-0 thanks to Ferran Torres’ goal after extra time.

Argentina's Lionel Messi shakes hands with US President Donald Trump — Argentina’s Lionel Messi shakes hands with US President Donald Trump (Reuters)

Messi had inspired a series of brilliant comebacks in the knockout stages to help Argentina to a second successive final but Spain were deserved winners.

Messi scored eight goals in an incredible tournament and the Argentina fans chanted his name as Spain’s Rodri collected the player of tournament award.

Messi then led his team-mates to collect their runners-up medals. He then stood and cried while he watched the Argentina fans serenade him.

The record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 43 at the next men’s World Cup, which takes place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco – but will kick off in Argentina.