Argentina coach appears to punch Spain player after embarassing loss

With frustration boiling over after losing the World Cup Final 1-0, an Argentine coach punched Spain’s Dani Olmo.

Roberto Ayala, one of Lionel Scaloni’s assistant coaches, approached the midfielder and appeared to land a fist on Olmo’s chin before Eric Garcia was able to pull the two away from each other.

Olmo did not appear to hit the Argentina coach back.

Argentina coach Roberto Ayala strikes Spain midfielder Dani Olmo after the World Cup Final. @CAPArgento_/X

The altercation was one of many during Spain’s World Cup celebrations after Leandro Paredes struck Garcia in the throat following the final whistle and pushed Spanish midfielder Gavi to the ground.

A larger brawl broke off from that, which is when Olmo and Ayala appeared to separate from the group.

Paredes started the incident right in front of assistant referee Tomaž Klančnik and was given a red card for the strike.

“He went for them. There is no place or space for that,” BBC soccer analyst Alan Shearer said. “We know how much it means to them and we know how much it hurts to lose, but there is a way to lose. Too many times we have seen that from Argentina.

“The reaction after the final whistle is terrible.”

Argentina has faced a ton of backlash for their mentality following the loss after multiple incidents including, the aforementioned brawl, skipping mandatory media, and turning their backs on Spain’s trophy celebration.

Players brawl during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

ESPN pundit Craig Burley called their performance an “utter disgrace,” saying they can’t act how they did off the field if they can’t perform on the field.

In what could be Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina, the South American side were dominated from start to finish, failing to record even one shot on target.

“[Spain] were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of [Argentina], of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,” Scaloni said after the match. “We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.”