Luis de la Fuente Condemns Intolerable Behavior After World Cup Win

Luis de la Fuente condemned what he called “intolerable, unacceptable” behaviour from Argentina’s players in the chaotic moments that followed Spain’s World Cup triumph on Sunday.

The celebrations at New York New Jersey Stadium had barely begun when tempers flared. As Spain’s squad rejoiced over a second world title, Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes clashed with Rodri and Eric García, with Paredes also confronting Gavi amid the post‑match melee.

De la Fuente admitted he initially missed the flashpoints, lost in the emotion of the victory.

“At the time, I didn’t realise it. I was celebrating, hugging teammates,” he told Spanish television, before drawing a hard line under what followed. “But in any case, it is intolerable, unacceptable, it cannot be allowed.”

The Spain coach stressed that his criticism came despite the respect he holds for Argentina’s squad and staff.

“Players of that stature, whom I praised in the days leading up to the match and continue to praise, who are great players with a tremendous coach, surely they must have felt just as bad as we did seeing those reactions,” he said.

If Argentina’s frustration boiled over, De la Fuente was keen to underline the restraint shown in red. He highlighted what he described as the “exemplary” conduct of his own players when confronted with “acts of aggression” and “provocations”, insisting that their composure prevented the situation from spiralling into something far more serious.

On a night that should have belonged entirely to Spain’s football, it was their self-control in the storm that their coach chose to defend most fiercely.