Argentina are likely to face FIFA sanctions following the disgraceful scenes that marred the aftermath of Sunday’s World Cup final.
Spain were crowned champions following a well-deserved 1-0 victory, secured by Ferran Torres’ goal in the opening period of extra-time.
Despite a late flurry, Argentina, who had been reduced to 10 men following Enzo Fernandez’s sending-off, were unable to find the goal that would likely have sent the match to a penalty shootout.
Having surrendered the title they won four years ago in Qatar, Lionel Scaloni’s players struggled to keep their emotions in check and displayed a staggering amount of ill-discipline.
Exclusive World Cup final analysis
Make sense of the drama with Metro’s free daily newsletter. Sign up now.
Spain skipper Rodri was dragged into a verbal altercation with Nicolas Otamendi, while Leandro Paredes was given a red card after the final whistle for striking Gavi.
Even members of Scaloni’s backroom team failed to keep their cool with assistant coach Roberto Ayala captured by fan making a beeline for Dani Olmo in the face.
The Barcelona midfielder showed a remarkable amount of restraint in not retaliating and was led away from the scene by Spain’s victorious head coach, Luis de la Fuente.
Lionel Messi was one of only a handful of players able to keep a cool head in the aftermath as he reflected on what will almost certainly represent his last World Cup appearance.
Having dug deep throughout a rollercoaster knockout phase, Wednesday’s late semi-final comeback against England only fuelled belief that a second successive global crown was within reach.
But Argentina were a pale imitation of the side that overcame Thomas Tuchel’s men, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez keeping Spain at bay during 90 minutes in which his team failed to muster a shot.
Fernandez’s red card just before extra time increased the difficulty of the task facing a team that ended up suffering a thoroughly deserved 1-0 defeat.
‘I feel sadness but knowing that we left everything out there,’ boss Scaloni said. ‘I have a lot of things to say about how we got here, but it’s not worth it.
‘I want to thank these guys eternally for giving us another World Cup final and for competing until the end. They were better, that’s the truth.
‘But I’ll hold on to an enormous memory of what they have done, of what it’s worth to get this far. We have to give it huge validity because it takes a lot to get here.’
Scaloni was highly emotional in the post-match press conference, breaking down in tears before making an early exit.
‘I have to be honest and say that I have to take time and think about the future,” the victorious Qatar 2022 coach said. “Because I’m not sure this can be achieved again.’
Argentina will almost certainly go into the next World Cup without star skipper Messi, who sobbed after what looks to be his last game on the global stage.
‘He is 39 years old, it is unbelievable,’ Scaloni said. ‘It was always crystal clear to me that he would play until he chose to stop and that everyone would support him.
‘I hope everyone is proud of him, because he is the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch.’