World Cup final fracas started by Nahuel Molina punch on Rodri | OneFootball

Nahuel Molina sparked the post-match melee after the World Cup final by punching Rodri in the stomach. El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that the incident unfolded as Spain celebrated their title.

Spain had dominated at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Argentina failing to register a shot on target against Unai Simón. Late on, with the score already 1-0, the Albiceleste managed only a couple of desperate efforts.

Molina, introduced in the 58th minute for Gonzalo Montiel, struck Rodri as the tournament’s Golden Ball winner sprinted from the bench to join the celebrations.

The Manchester City midfielder halted and confronted Molina. Eric Garcia moved in to calm things before the Boca Juniors midfielder Leandro Paredes intervened, grabbing the Barcelona defender by the neck.

With Thiago Almada alongside him, Paredes twice hurled Gavi to the ground as the teenager tried to aid his team-mate.

After that flare-up, Lionel Scaloni’s assistant Roberto Fabián Ayala landed a punch to Dani Olmo’s neck while he celebrated the second star. Stunned and standing next to the Terrassa-born midfielder, Garcia shoved the former Valencia centre-back.

Argentina’s conduct overshadowed a final in which they scarcely laid a glove on Spain. Spain’s defence conceded only one goal all tournament, a historic benchmark as no world champions had conceded fewer than two.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo