TA's commentary on the final: Argentina maintained their style from start to finish, full of underhanded tactics.

The Athletic provided a brief summary of the fouls committed by both teams in this World Cup final, noting that Argentina maintained its style throughout the match, employing nothing but underhanded tactics.

The following is the original report.

If you were expecting a smooth, attacking, and goal-filled final match of this World Cup, then the third-place match is the last game you should watch.

The final, played just one day apart, between Spain and Argentina, was destined to be anything but a classic match for pure football fans. However, the chaos that unfolded on the field undoubtedly made it the dirtiest final since 2010—when Spain also faced a fiercely competitive and unyielding Dutch team.

In the 2010 match, football itself was the winner, with Spain narrowly winning by scoring the only goal of the game in extra time; the outcome of this final was similar.

But just how brutal was the 2026 final? We've compiled all the controversial and malicious moments from the entire event.

In the 14th minute of the match, all sorts of underhanded tactics officially began, with Argentina committing a vicious foul.

Alexis McAllister made a vicious tackle on Dani Olmo, a highly aggressive flying tackle that brought the Spanish player to the ground.

A few minutes later, Nicolás Tagliafico first tried to pull Lamin Yamal to the ground, making a comical move as if he were about to sit on a non-existent snowmobile, and then used a more conventional dirty trick, tripping Yamal's heel. The whole series of malicious actions can be described as "the pinnacle of outrageous maneuvers".

Referee Slavko Vončić remained restrained throughout and did not issue a yellow card, a decision that was equally perplexing.

Graham Scott, a referee expert and columnist for The Athletic, commented: "Tagliafico's foul on Yamal alone was enough to warrant a yellow card for his continued malicious fouls. The tackle was chaotic and rough, and the intent to foul was obvious."

The first yellow card of the match was issued in the 41st minute, and surprisingly, it was an Argentinian player who received the card.

Mikel Oyarzabal attempted to break free of Lisandro Martinez to launch a quick counter-attack, but the latter showed no intention of giving him any chance.

He first tightly gripped Oyarzabal's waist, and seeing that he couldn't stop his opponent, he then launched a vicious flying tackle from the side and rear, leaving the ground with both feet. Once upon a time, football was considered a gentleman's sport.

Leandro Paredes came on as a substitute at halftime, clearly feeling that Argentina's underhanded tactics in the first half hadn't yet reached the team's standard.

He elbowed Rhodes hard in the back and received a yellow card; the conflict then triggered a large-scale siege, and Olmo was also pushed to the ground...

However, Rodri's exaggerated dive after falling to the ground was equally clumsy, which greatly diminished his subsequent Ballon d'Or win.

To provide an objective and balanced perspective, we will also cite one of Spain's fouls.

Lionel Messi passed the ball and charged into the Spanish penalty area, but Laporte did everything he could to stop him, determined not to let Messi make an easy run. Messi fell heavily to the ground, and the entire Argentine bench erupted in emotion.

In the 82nd minute, Enzo Fernandez received a yellow card for continuing to protest the referee's decision: Rodri had only made a slight touch on him, but the referee did not call a foul, yet Enzo hysterically expressed his dissatisfaction.

Eleven minutes later, he became the sixth player in World Cup final history to be sent off – incredibly, he was also the third Argentinian to receive a red card.

This red card was entirely self-inflicted: when Spanish youngster Cubas was vying for a second ball, Enzo raised his foot and viciously stomped on his opponent's shin with his studs, a dangerous move.

Kubasi was kicked and then flipped in mid-air, a dangerous moment; fortunately, the best young player of the tournament was not injured.

The moment that best encapsulates Argentina's tough and ruthless style of play in the entire match was when football legend Lionel Messi relentlessly argued with the referee throughout the game, simply because Cucurella covered his mouth during a conversation after Enzo was sent off, prompting Messi to demand a red card.

During extra time, substitute Facundo Medina deliberately delayed the throw-in (his usual tactic), and even when Yamal urged him on, he continued to dawdle.

Just as he was dawdling over his serve, Ferran Torres gently pushed the ball from a distance, and an Argentine player immediately fell to the ground in a spectacular display.

If you think Argentina will accept defeat gracefully, and proactively shake hands and pat their champion opponents on the shoulder to congratulate them, then you simply don't understand this Argentine team.

Head coach Scaloni rushed onto the field to try to quell the conflict, but Paredes ignored him and grabbed Eric Garcia by the neck.

Garcia displayed excellent composure and did not retaliate, but this shoving and choking gesture reignited the brawl between the two sides.

Everyone thought that after the dust settled, Argentina would show sportsmanship and applaud the Spanish team as they lifted the trophy. But the opposite happened: they collectively turned their backs to the champions.

To be fair, this team maintained its style from beginning to end – full of underhanded tactics.