FIFA Is Checking on a Post-Game Scuffle After the World Cup Final

The Big Soccer Game Explained

Imagine the biggest soccer tournament in the world—the FIFA World Cup. The final is the last match where two countries play to win the trophy.

On Sunday, Spain and Argentina played this final at a huge stadium called MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (in the United States).

Here is what happened during the game:

• A Spain player named Ferran Torres scored a goal in the 106th minute (that’s very late in the match!).
• The final score was 1–0, so Spain won.
• This gave Spain their second men’s World Cup win. Spain’s team is sometimes called La Roja (a nickname meaning “The Red” in Spanish).
• Before the game ended, an Argentina player got in trouble:
  • Enzo Fernández (who normally plays for a club team called Chelsea and is a midfielder) was sent off (given a red card and made to leave the field) by the referee (the rule-enforcer) Slavko Vincic.
  • He did a “foul” (an unfair tackle) on Pau Cubarsí in the 90th minute.

The Ugly Scenes After the Game Ended

When the game finished, videos show that some players and coaches from Argentina and Spain started pushing and hitting each other on the field.

• Argentina players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina were seen hitting Spain players Eric García and Rodri.
• The Argentina coach (team boss) Roberto Ayala also appeared to strike a Spain player named Dani Olmo.
• Later, Molina went up close to Rodri again, and another Argentina player Nicolas Otamendi (who used to play with Rodri at Manchester City, a club team) shouted at Rodri.
• Luckily, Argentina’s main coach Lionel Scaloni and other players ran in to calm everyone down.

A photo from Getty Images shows Leandro Paredes and Eric García tangled together after the final.

FIFA Steps In With an Investigation

FIFA is the big group that makes the rules for world soccer. They do not like fights, so they opened a disciplinary investigation (think of it like a principal checking a playground fight).

FIFA said in a statement:

• They read the official reports from the match.
• Using a rule called Article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (their rulebook), they asked a special person called a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to look into possible rule breaks from the after-match incidents.
• They will share more information once that prosecutor finishes the report.

Important Callout: FIFA is officially investigating the post-match clash. This could lead to punishments for the players and coaches involved.

What Happens Next? (Numbered Steps)

1. The prosecutor investigates the incidents that happened after the game.
2. A report is written about what was found.
3. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee reads the report.
4. Further details and any punishments are announced to the public.

A History Note About Red Cards

Getting sent off in a World Cup final is very rare. Enzo Fernández became the first player to be sent off in a final since John Heitinga (who played for the Netherlands) was dismissed in the 2010 final against Spain in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Summary

Let’s recap everything simply:

• Spain beat Argentina 1–0 in the World Cup final thanks to Ferran Torres’s late goal.
• Enzo Fernández was sent off for a foul just before the game ended.
• After the whistle, several Argentina players and a coach clashed with Spain players on the field.
• FIFA is now investigating those after-match incidents using their rulebook.
• More news will come after the prosecutor’s report is done.

FAQ

Q1: What does “sent off” mean in soccer?
A: It means a player broke a serious rule, and the referee shows a red card. The player must leave the field immediately and cannot keep playing.

Q2: What is “La Roja”?
A: It’s a friendly nickname for the Spain soccer team. It means “The Red” in Spanish because they wear red shirts.

Q3: Why is FIFA investigating?
A: Because after the game, Argentina and Spain players/coaches were hitting and shouting at each other. FIFA wants to check if this broke their behavior rules and if anyone should be punished.

Q4: Who scored the winning goal in the final?
A: Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, giving Spain a 1–0 win over Argentina.

Q5: What is a Disciplinary Code?
A: It’s like a rulebook FIFA uses to decide what is allowed in soccer and what should happen when someone misbehaves.