Argentina lose World Cup closing to Spain with 10-men in Falklands banner ‘karma’
Spain have won the World Cup with England fans declaring “karma” after Argentina paraded their Falklands banner after the semi-final and lost the final in shame
Argentina have lost the World Cup final(Image: Ismael Adnan/Shutterstock)
Argentina have lost to Spain in the World Cup final as England fans hailed ‘karma’ for their Falkland Islands banner.
The Three Lions had been stunned in the week when Argentina battled from behind to reach world football’s ultimate game – before proudly displaying a controversial flag that declared the Falklands are Argentine. But in the final they got their just desserts with star players off injured and one shown a red card before they spat their dummies out at the final whistle and punched opponents in disgusting and shameful scenes.
And after losing the final, England fans were quick to mock their bitter rivals about the banner that declared the British Overseas Territory as their own. “Don’t think we’ll see the Falklands flag here mind,” one fan joked.
Argentina displayed the banner after beating England in the semi-final(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
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“KARMA. One of the instigators who wanted to hold up the Falklands banner,” a second shared – after Enzo Fernandez was sent off. While a third said: “They’re not waving their Falklands banner anymore…”
It will hardly go down as an instant-classic, the completely forgettable first half was quickly overshadowed by the half-time show that was branded as “woke nonsense” by fans on social media.
Madonna, BTS and Shakira were joined by the Muppets, Ted Lasso and Justin Bieber as football’s embarrassing sideshow took centre stage for well over the allotted 15 minutes normally given for the break.
Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the clash(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney summed it up as “crap” – and it’s hard to disagree.
Spain started to try and turn the final into a football match in the second period – and they started to somewhat test Emi Martinez.
It was still far from a spectacle as the game was broken up by Argentine fouls and more hydration breaks. Enzo Fernandez did his best to interject some life into the game – but it was for all the wrong reasons.
Ferran Torres netted the winner(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
After being booked for dissent, the Chelsea ace clattered into Pau Cubarsi and received his marching orders. Argentina were desperate to take a Spaniard with him, and Lionel Messi tried to “snitch” on Marc Cucurella for covering his mouth.
Nico Williams thought he had won the game into extra-time, but there was deemed to be a foul on Nicolas Otamendi in the build-up.
Martinez was also down, with replays showing minimal contact with Mikel Merino – but if that had little contact, it looked like assault compared to the contact on Otamendi.
Lisandro Martinez was injured during the clash(Image: AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Williams would play a role in the winner, nodding the ball into the path of Ferran Torres who smashed it into the roof of the net to send Spain ahead.
Lionel Scaloni had Tuchel-ed himself, sending on defenders with 10 men to try and force the game to penalties.
Torres had the ball in the back of the net again, but he was flagged offside with VAR confirming the decision.
It’s Spain, for the second time in their history, that have won the World Cup, while Argentina and Messi won’t be the first team since Brazil in 1962 to go back-to-back.
