New footage has appeared of what sparked the World Cup final brawl as Rodri was punched by an Argentina player before Leandro Paredes lost his head
New footage has surfaced of the moments that sparked the World Cup final brawl as Spain players rushed onto the pitch to celebrate.
Spain saved football as Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal was the difference between the reigning European and now world champions and an Argentina side that attempted to cheat their way to a penalty shootout as they had just three shots, with none on target, in the entire 120 minutes.
Instead, Argentina saved their attacking intent for after full-time as Leandro Paredes disgraced himself but punching and wrestling with Gavi before he was sent off.
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But footage that has surfaced on social media filmed from the stands inside the Metlife Stadium show full-back Nahuel Molina punching Rodri as he runs past him to celebrate.
Rodri and fellow Spain substitutes flood onto the pitch to celebrate with their team-mates, but as the Golden Ball winner does so, he was punched by Molina in the midriff.
Rodri then turns around and returns to confront Molina, which is spotted by Eric Garcia. The Barcelona defender stops embracing Borja Iglesias and runs to defend Rodri, shoving Molina before he is backed up by Iglesias as Rodri walks away.
As the linesman steps in, Molina takes the opportunity to slip away and join Nicolas Tagliafico in confronting Rodri again while Paredes cowardly comes steaming in and kicks Garcia’s legs away from underneath him.
As Garcia returns to his feet, Gavi runs over to support his Barcelona team-mate where Paredes throws a punch at him and grapples him to the floor – sparking the melee.
Referee Slavko Vincic showed a second red card of the game to the Boca Juniors midfielder after Enzo Fernandez was given his marching orders at the end of regulation time for a second bookable offence.
Argentina’s approach was overtly physical and was nothing short of an embarrassment on the biggest stage of all. Lionel Scaloni’s side has come under furious complaints about their style, none less so than Alan Shearer on the BBC.
Shearer said: “Paredes threw two or three haymakers into someone’s face. He went for them. 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.”
Lionel Messi looks set to walk away from the national team and for it to end in tears for him with the team built as enforcers behind him to have lost their heads is a humiliating way to end.
The punishment Argentina will receive remains to be seen. FIFA must take a firm stance after the farcical nature of Folarin Balogun’s suspended suspension and claims they have favoured Argentina this tournament.