Willars and Berlin win gold in diving in Guadalajara

FIFA investigates incidents in the World Cup final

FIFA announced on Monday an investigation after the altercations that occurred at the end of the World Cup final, where Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time.

Replays showed Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes pushing Eric García (Spain) by the neck. When substitute Gavi intervened, Paredes tackled him. Spanish captain Rodri was also hit in the stomach by Nahuel Molina, and was then confronted by his former teammate Nicolás Otamendi. Quickly, other players and Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni managed to de-escalate the situation.

FIFA indicated in a statement:

“The disciplinary committee has appointed a Disciplinary and Ethics Prosecutor to investigate possible breaches of the (FIFA disciplinary code) with respect to post-match incidents.”

The organization did not give deadlines or mention Paredes, who did not receive a red card, although he could face a sanction.

Argentina played with 10 men from added time in the second half due to the expulsion of Enzo Fernández. The Argentine players, with their backs to the podium, watched Spain lift the trophy, an unusual lack of respect towards the new champions, who had previously given them a hall of honour.

President Javier Milei declared to Radio Miter:

“The defeat in the final against Spain cannot overshadow or tarnish the achievement of reaching a world final.”

Milei expressed pride in the team and highlighted that it was Argentina’s third World Cup final in four editions. “The players have given an enormous example of what it means to leave everything for a goal,” he said.

The Argentine team arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday and was received by hundreds of fans, but without statements.

End of cycle in Belgium

Rudi Garcia will no longer be the Belgium coach. The Royal Belgian Football Association confirmed on Monday that it will not renew his contract beyond this month. The team is already looking for a replacement for the French coach, who qualified the team to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, where they lost to Spain, then champions.

Garcia took office in January 2025, following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco. Unlike his predecessor, he managed to restore cohesion to the group. With clubs like Napoli, Marseille and Rome in his career, this was his first experience leading a national team.

“He has played a key role in the Red Devils’ recovery,” said Vincent Mannaert, Belgium’s sporting director. “He was appointed in a complicated sporting and financial context. Thanks to his commitment and experience, cohesion was restored and a solid result was achieved in the World Cup.”

The French strategist highlighted his 18 months in charge, underlining the improvement in the world ranking and the passage to the quarterfinals. “I wish Belgium every success as they continue the generational transition that I was proud to help initiate,” Garcia said.

The generational change that the coach began is now in the hands of his successor. The Belgian federation has not given a deadline for the announcement of the new coach.

An unprecedented dominance

Spain has reached a peak never seen before in international football. With the men’s world title won on Sunday, the country adds championships in all categories: men’s, women’s and youth. It is the first nation to hold the men’s and women’s World Cups at the same time.

The men’s team is also European champion, Olympic gold medalist and winner of the Nations League. The women’s team, current world champion, has won the same Nations League twice and reached the final of the 2025 European Championship.

The system that made it possible

The key is in the commitment to collective talent. Spain renewed its squad after the golden generation of 2010. Today, figures such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Rodri and Ferran Torres – scorer of the goal against Argentina in the final – represent a new era.

Coach Luis de la Fuente, who previously coached the youth teams, applied the same training method to all teams. “This generation is an example for Spanish sport, for youth. Together we are stronger,” he declared.

“Get to work,” said Thierry Henry after the final. “Think how you want to do it at each level and play the same way. That’s why you dominate world football.”

The tactical identity of tiki-taka was questioned in the past, but De la Fuente knew how to combine it effectively. Spain led the tournament in passes and shots on goal. Their unbeaten streak of 38 matches is the longest in men’s international football.

Success is not a coincidence. The federation maintains a unified philosophy from the youth to the senior level, allowing for fluid transitions. Technicians like Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Arteta and Xabi Alonso spread these tactics around the world. Spain is where it should be.