2026 World Cup: Ayala Expresses Regret Over the Brawl After Spain-Argentina. Gavi Defends Paredes

Images of the brawl between the Argentines and the Spaniards at the end of the 2026 World Cup final have gone viral around the world. At the final whistle, several Argentine players—including Leandro Paredes—and Roberto Ayala, a member of head coach Lionel Scaloni’s staff, lunged at the Furie Rosse, creating moments of tension that initially dampened the Spaniards’ on-field celebration.

In particular, Ayala struck Barcelona player Dani Olmo before being restrained by others. Speaking to Televalencia, the former Napoli and Milan defender expressed his regret over what happened: “We saw our players caught up in a chaotic situation and went over there to calm things down; I didn’t want it to end like this. My intention was simply to go over, separate the players, and that’s it. Then emotions and impulses sometimes get the better of you, but that’s something that shouldn’t happen to me given the position I hold.”

“When I see Olmo, I’ll apologize to him in person, although I’d like to clarify that it wasn’t a punch as is being reported, but more of a shove,” he concluded.

FIFA has announced the opening of a disciplinary investigation to shed light on the events following the end of the match. Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Gavi downplayed the incident in an interview with Marca: “I don’t think they should be suspended. I understand it’s not a good example for kids, but soccer also has a violent side. Perhaps the most logical thing would have been to send them off during the match, but in the end, I think it’s all part of soccer and that’s how it should be.” Gavi had ended up on the ground at the end of the match after being shoved by Paredes.