Argentina’s controversial finish to the World Cup final against Spain included another moment that quickly became a talking point after the final whistle. As Spain celebrated its victory, Argentina’s players turned their backs on the trophy presentation instead of watching their opponents lift the World Cup.

The moment came just as Spain captain Rodri raised the trophy into the New York sky. Rather than facing the stage, as runners-up traditionally do during the medal ceremony, the Argentina squad turned toward the section of the stadium where their supporters remained, acknowledging the fans who had followed them throughout the tournament.

Argentina’s trophy ceremony gesture draws criticism

The unusual scene capped a final in which Argentina was widely criticized for its physical approach and repeated attempts to disrupt the flow of the game.

Even so, Lionel Scaloni’s calming presence after the final whistle, along with an emotional Lionel Messi, had helped ease some of the tension created earlier in the match. Tempers had flared when Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes became involved in a confrontation with Rodri, Eric García and Gavi, with the Spain midfielder ending up on the ground during the incident.

Spain players stunned by Argentina’s decision

Despite those efforts to lower the temperature, the entire Argentina squad broke with one of the sport’s longstanding traditions. Rather than watching the team that had just defeated them celebrate its greatest moment, they chose to spend those final seconds of the tournament facing their own supporters instead.

The gesture was met with a negative reaction from many Spain fans, as well as neutral observers watching the ceremony. According to reports, members of Spain’s locker room were surprised by what they had seen, and criticism of Argentina’s actions quickly spread.

More broadly, Argentina’s conduct throughout the World Cup has drawn increasing criticism from soccer fans around the world, with Sunday’s trophy ceremony becoming the latest flashpoint in a tournament that featured several heated moments involving the defending champions.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.