Spain coach blasts Argentina brawl after World Cup final

Tens of thousands of Argentina supporters have signed an online petition demanding FIFA replay the 2026 World Cup final after Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente condemned the post-match brawl as "inadmissible and intolerable."

The Petition and Referee Controversy

The Change.org petition, created by an Argentine fan named Gisela Sanchez, had surpassed 80,000 signatures by midweek, alleging that Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic made decisions that unfairly favored Spain throughout the final. The petition calls for a "transparent review" of the match and a possible replay, describing it as a fight "not only for Argentina, but for the future of world football".NDTV Sports+2

Among the flashpoints cited by petitioners was the red card shown to Enzo Fernandez after a second yellow and a disallowed Nico Williams goal early in extra time, when Vincic ruled a foul by Mikel Merino on Nicolas Otamendi without consulting VAR. Ferran Torres ultimately scored the winner later in extra time to clinch Spain's second World Cup title.ESPN+1

Online petitions carry no legal or regulatory authority over FIFA, and there is no mechanism under football's governing rules to force a replay based on public signatures.The Sporting News+1

De la Fuente Condemns Post-Match Brawl

Speaking on Spain's Teledeporte, de la Fuente addressed the pitch-side altercation that erupted after the final whistle, when Argentina's Nahuel Molina struck Spain midfielder Rodri during celebrations, triggering a melee involving Leandro Paredes, Eric Garcia, and Gavi.Mediotiempo.com

"That was inadmissible and intolerable for soccer players of that level," de la Fuente said. "What I do believe must be highlighted was our behavior. Especially after that kind of aggressions and provocations, our players always kept good sportsmanship".

FIFA has opened an investigation into the post-match incidents to determine possible sanctions.Mediotiempo.com

Martinez's Message and the Broader Backlash

Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez posted an emotional message on social media days after the defeat, reportedly writing that "the fall of the great is the joy of the mediocre" in a message defending his teammates and Lionel Messi.FOX Sports+1

Separately, an even larger petition titled "Argentina Out" accumulated more than 23 million signatures from approximately 170 countries during the tournament, demanding Argentina's permanent expulsion from the World Cup over allegations of broader favoritism. While it became one of the largest online petitions ever recorded, it fell short of the Guinness World Record and holds no sway over FIFA's disciplinary processes.Goal.com+2

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, for his part, declined to blame the officials. "Spain was better," he said after the final.