Argentina Fans Demand Replay of 2026 World Cup Final
Thousands of Argentine supporters have called on FIFA to order a replay of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, claiming the match was marred by corrupt officiating.
Throughout regulation time, Argentina failed to register a single shot on target. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez kept the side alive with a series of crucial saves before forward Torres finally broke the deadlock.
The situation deteriorated in stoppage time when Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card in the 93rd minute for dissent and a reckless tackle on Pau Cubarsi, leaving Argentina to finish the match with ten men.
After the final whistle, tempers flared. Leandro Paredes was seen kicking and punching Eric Garcia before clashing with Gavi, while reports indicated Nahuel Molina threw a punch at Rodri, sparking a full‑scale melee.
A petition hosted on Change.org, initiated by Gisela Sanchez, has attracted more than 82,000 signatures. Sanchez accused Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic of influencing the outcome and urged FIFA to review the match.
She wrote, “The recent final between Argentina and Spain was tarnished by the controversial and corrupt performance of the referee who, according to video evidence, was bought to influence the match’s outcome.” She added that allowing such corruption to go unchecked sets a dangerous precedent for future generations.
A separate campaign calling for Argentina to be barred from future World Cups reportedly amassed over 29 million signatures before being closed.
Match statistics show Vincic whistled for 46 fouls, with Argentina responsible for 25 of them. Fernández’s dismissal followed a booking for dissent after a denied free‑kick and a second caution for the reckless challenge on Cubarsi.
The final was repeatedly interrupted by fouls and stoppages before Spain secured the winner in extra time. FIFA is now reviewing the conduct of several Argentine players involved in the post‑match chaos.
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