Riots broke out on the streets of Buenos Aires on Sunday night after Argentina lost out on the chance to retain the World Cup with their defeat to Spain in New York.
The national team had looked to become the first side to successfully defend their title since Brazil in 1962, and provide the talismanic Lionel Messi with a pitch-perfect international send-off at his sixth World Cup.
But cagey and attritional play meant that Argentina made just two shots during the full 90 minutes and extra time, with a late Ferran Torres goal netting a superior Spanish side their second star.
At home however, expectant crowds watched their plans for a party curdle, and instead, fans are believed to have clashed with local police in the capital shortly after full-time.
More than 15 people are believed to have been arrested in the fracas, with a number of both civilians and officers injured in the clashes according to the Sun.
Riot police brutally cracked down on dissenting fans on the streets of Buenos Aires
Trouble broke out in Plaza de la Republica near the city’s iconic Obelisk after the final whistle
Police targeted supporters armed with batons and shields and fired rubber bullets in the melee
Trouble is believed to have started when fans attempted to break the protective ring surrounding the Obelisk in Plaza de la Republica.
As police tried to control the crowds, supporters at the scene flung glass bottles and other missiles – before officers retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The melee is believed to have lasted close to 20 minutes, with injuries including a man kicked in the face by a rioter and a woman receiving medical attention on the streets.
The crowds were pushed back to Avenida Belgrano, eight blocks from the national monument, after being stormed by riot police brandishing shields and batons.
Distressing scenes in Argentina came as the country’s players disgraced themselves in the aftermath of their defeat to Spain in New York.
After a rough-and-tumble match, violence spilled over after the final whistle, with Leandro Paredes a particular offender.
The Argentina star throttled Eric Garcia and later pushed Gavi to the ground as he attempted to fight a raft of Spanish stars just moments after the 1-0 loss.
His team-mate Nahuel Molina punched Rodri in the torso as he was running past him, with Thiago Almada also involved in the fracas.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to defuse tensions, but focused his ire on the Spain players rather than his own.
During the match, Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a reckless flying tackle on Pau Cubarsi, Paredes was also fortunate to not be sent off in regular time for a foul on the edge of the box which presented Lamine Yamal with a last-breath free-kick before extra-time.
Clouds of tear gas wreathed the city as Argentina failed to defend their 2022 World Cup
The Albiceleste had hoped that they would be able to reward Lionel Messi with a second title
In New York, Argentina players were unsettled after the final whistle with Leandro Paredes in particular lashing out
Players from both teams were caught up in ugly scenes moments after the World Cup final
Paredes was sent off after the fact but had been lucky to avoid an earlier punishment during the game
Messi attempted to get Marc Cucurella sent off by telling the referee he had covered his mouth
Even Lionel Messi didn’t rise above the dark arts. The legendary forward was lambasted by Wayne Rooney after he tried to get Marc Cucurella sent off during the latter stages of the game.
The game descended into chaos when Fernandez received his second yellow card.
This led to a melee between both sets of players and Cucurella was spotted saying something to Messi.
The left-back then put a couple of fingers over his mouth and continued speaking, a move which the Argentine immediately reacted to and waved over the referee.
As per FIFA’s rules for this tournament, if a player holds their hand over their mouth in a confrontational situation, they will be sent off.
This was seen with Miguel Almiron for Paraguay in the group stage and Piero Hincapie in the knockout stages for Ecuador.
However, it didn’t appear that Cucurella was speaking in a confrontational manner and the referee, nor VAR, decided to intervene.
The BBC pundits were quick to hit out at Messi’s behaviour as his team headed into extra time a man down.
Joe Hart said: ‘Oh wow! Wow! Yeah, I didn’t enjoy that at all from Lionel Messi.
‘You realise how on top Spain are if even Lionel Messi is reverting to that.’
Micah Richards added: ‘We don’t want to see people getting sent off in a World Cup final for that.’
Wayne Rooney was similarly furious with Messi’s behaviour as he said: ‘It is desperation.
‘Argentina play like that, we know that’s what they do. But the one thing you want is good sportsmanship and that was sad to see Lionel Messi doing that.’
