The World Cup final took an ugly turn at the end of extra time as Spain were crowned champions. Here’s what happened, frame by frame.
- Nahuel Molina strikes Rodri near the halfway line, throwing his arm out aggressively.
- Rodri confronts Molina as players square up, teammates remain unaware.
- Eric García intervenes to separate them, then is attacked by Leandro Paredes, who grabs his throat.
- Leandro Paredes targets Gavi, is sent off; FIFA to investigate the post-match scenes.
It’s all over … or is it?
As the referee, Slavko Vincic, blows the full-time whistle, Spain’s substitutes run on to the pitch to celebrate World Cup glory with their teammates.
Molina strikes first
Rodri is struck by Nahuel Molina near the halfway line, the Argentinian right-back aggressively throwing his arm out at Spain’s captain.
… Rodri reacts
Rodri turns back and confronts Molina, and the two players square up as their teammates remain unaware of what’s unfolding.
Eric García gets involved
García sees what is happening and runs over to Rodri and Molina in an attempt to prevent the confrontation from escalating.
… so too does Paredes
Now Leandro Paredes’s turn to enter the fray. He sprints across and attacks García, sending him flying. The linesman attempts to get between the two players, but to no avail.
Paredes goes at García again
García gets up only to be attacked by Paredes once again, the Argentina midfielder grabbing his Spanish counterpart by the throat as the line assitant continues to try to break up the pair. Argentina’s coaching staff – including the head coach, Lionel Scaloni – surround García and protect him from their own teammate.
Ganging up on Gavi
Paredes turns his attention to Gavi. The 21-year-old midfielder finds himself pushed and pulled in different directions by Paredes, and also the Argentina substitute Thiago Almada, who rip the Spainard’s training bib. Gavi falls to the floor and attempts to get back up before Paredes throws him down again,.
A happy ending
Leandro Paredes is sent off after the final whistle, with Argentina facing disciplinary proceedings: Fifa is to investigate the post-match scenes before deciding whether to take action.
Spain meanwhile celebrate winning the World Cup for the second time in the country’s history.
