World Cup 2026: Argentina defends its performance despite the
Why it matters
Argentina's defeat in the final against Spain at the 2026 World Cup sparked mixed reactions, highlighting the team's commitment despite the result. Enzo Fernandez stressed the importance of representing the country with pride, a message that could influence the team's mentality for the future. This event could have a significant impact on the season and preparation for upcoming international competitions.
Context
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez played a key role in Argentina's performance at the 2026 World Cup. His dismissal in the final highlighted tensions on the pitch, but his message of unity and pride could be crucial for the team's future. With players like Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez, Argentina has the potential to remain competitive in upcoming tournaments.
Key points
- World Cup 2026: Argentina defends its performance despite the.
- Midfielder Enzo Fernandez defended Argentina's performance at the World Cup, underlining the commitment and pride of the team, despite the defeat in the final against Spain.
- World Cup 2026: Argentina react to final defeat and Messi questions.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said Argentina represented their country at their best during the World Cup, despite the ugly scenes during and after the final they lost to Spain. Fernandez was sent off late in normal time for two yellow cards and Spain won 1-0 after extra time in New Jersey on Sunday. His first yellow card was shown for protesting against Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, while Fernandez was then sent off for tackling Pau Cubarsi, sending the defender somersaulting into the air. However, in a statement on social media, the Chelsea midfielder made no mention of the red card and said: "As time goes by you realize that there is something much bigger than just a result. For years this group has represented the team in the best possible way. You learn that competing is not just about winning; it means giving everything for the shirt and never giving up. It has been a privilege to be part of a group that has always given its all, competed at the highest level and defended these colors with pride, humility and commitment." Members of the Argentine team and the coaching staff were involved in clashes with the Spanish players who had started to celebrate the victory in the World Cup. FIFA's disciplinary committee has appointed a disciplinary and ethics prosecutor to assess what happened and any player or staff member involved could receive a suspension, while the Argentine Football Federation could also be fined. Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Thiago Almada and assistant coach Roberto Ayala appear to have been involved in the incident, with Paredes pushing Spain's Eric Garcia by the neck. Spain's Gavi attempted to intervene, but was pushed to the ground by Almada, while Paredes knocked Gavi down by placing his hand in his face. Ayala appeared to grip Garcia by the neck, before hitting Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo in turn. If the scenes seen on the pitch were judged negatively, questions remain about what happened in the locker room before the match. An unconfirmed rumor has spread on social media according to which Lionel Messi had informed his teammates that the final would be his last match in the Argentine shirt. This after an Argentine television station, RLC Noticias, published a video in which Messi can be seen as he, together with his teammates, heads towards the tunnel leading to the changing rooms, and seems to tell them to stay calm and not think about anything else. In the video, not verified by the BBC, Messi says: "Come on guys, calm down, calm down, the main thing is that we have to stay calm, we have to stay calm. We just have to concentrate on playing, nothing else, calm down, okay? Forget everything else. We just have to play, we just have to concentrate on playing. Let's go." The actions of the Argentine players on the pitch received harsh criticism from former English footballers. Former England captain Alan Shearer said: "Paredes hit two or three people. There's no room for that. We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there's a way to lose. We've seen this from Argentina too many times. The reaction after the final whistle was terrible." Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart also criticized the behavior of the Argentine players: "They can have no complaints about what happened. It was disgusting behaviour." Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to calm things down with statements after the match. "We are sportsmen and we must be respectful in victories and defeats. Today we showed that we know how to lose. We lost the match and we accept it, but it doesn't mean that we have to stop living or forget everything we did to get here." Argentina, who had won the World Cup in 1978, 1986 and 2022, won all seven matches of the tournament in North America, beating Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England, before losing to Spain. Against Egypt, Argentina was 2-0 down and scored three late goals to win 3-2. In the semi-final against England, the English led 1-0 until the 85th minute, when a goal from Fernandez and a header from Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 2-1 victory. Many Argentine media suggested that the final would be the last match for coach Scaloni and that a cycle would be closed, given that champion Lionel Messi is unlikely to play in a World Cup again. "The pain is immense and this wound will take time to heal. But I hold on to all the good things" Messi wrote on social media. However, the team was welcomed by thousands of Argentine fans with a double-decker bus parade. Scaloni and 16 of the 26 players called up for the World Cup returned to Argentina and were welcomed at Ezeiza International Airport with a red carpet and a musical band. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved 11 shots during the final, was among the players who returned to Argentina, while Messi did not return but returned to Miami, where he plays for Inter Miami.
What happens now
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Argentina will have to reflect on this experience to improve for the next challenges. The team could make strategic and tactical changes to better face the upcoming competitions. Furthermore, FIFA's disciplinary committee will examine the clashes that occurred after the final, which could lead to sanctions or measures for the players involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score of the final between Argentina and Spain?
Spain won 1-0 against Argentina in the final.
How did this defeat impact Argentina's ranking in the 2026 World Cup?
The defeat in the final meant that Argentina did not win the tournament, but there are no details on the final standings.
When will Argentina's next match be after the final?
There is no information available on Argentina's next match after the final.
Who was sent off during the final between Argentina and Spain?
Enzo Fernandez was sent off late in regulation time for two yellow cards.
What were the reactions of the Argentine team after the defeat?
Enzo Fernandez declared that Argentina represented their nation at their best, despite the defeat.
