Argentina were leading 2-1 with only a few minutes remaining in the first period of extra time. That was when Lopes Cabral unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from the corner of the box, and despite Emiliano Martinez’s effort, the ball found its way into the top corner.

“The moment I dribbled past my opponent, I saw an opening and thought, ‘Let’s have a go’,” he revealed. “I shoot well with both feet. I saw the space and was eyeing the top corner. I aimed there and struck the ball really well.

“When I looked up and saw it heading for that top corner, I thought, ‘What the hell did I just do?’ I couldn’t believe it. I looked at my team-mates – everyone was screaming, hands on their heads, overjoyed.”

Cape Verde’s great World Cup

Against all odds, this team managed to win the hearts of many fans of the sport. Cape Verde entered the 2026 World Cup as one of the weakest sides, but they not only advanced to the next round, they also put up a fight against one of the giants of world soccer, Argentina.

A goalless draw against Spain and Saudi Arabia, along with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, were their three group-stage results, which allowed them to advance to the Round of 32. There, in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, they fell 3-2 to Argentina, bringing their journey to an heroic end.

The award that could have gone to Messi

Lionel Messi once again enjoyed an outstanding World Cup, finishing as Argentina’s leading scorer with eight goals. One of them came against Algeria’s Luca Zidane in La Albiceleste‘s opening match, when he unleashed a powerful shot that the goalkeeper was unable to keep out.

While many believe the No. 10’s career with the national team could be coming to an end, Lionel Messi is reportedly not expected to announce his international retirement yet, meaning fans could continue enjoying his goals in Argentina’s colors.

With a sincere and visibly affected tone, the coach who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar expressed his sadness over not being able to bring home another trophy. “After an intense week where sadness has been intertwined with joy, tears with a smile, anguish with calm, nerves with tranquility, I can sit down to write a few words, which although you know I do not like social media very much, might be the best medium to get it to you,” Scaloni wrote.

“I can only say I am sorry for not being able to bring you another trophy and give you a new joy that, even if only for a few days, might make you forget all the bad things in life. But I want you to hold onto what we have tried to show you through this group of players, my warriors, as I defined them when I spoke about them to my wife.

“The effort, the desire, the wanting to, the ‘I can’, not giving up (even when everything gets tough), giving it all (even when you have nothing left), enduring cold buckets of water (FROM PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW US), knowing how to be, wanting to keep standing when your legs no longer obey your brain. That is the true trophy. Eternally grateful to my coaching staff, players, AFA staff, those who quietly work so that we are comfortable, and to each of you for the affection received.”

Fan support for Scaloni

Within minutes, the post was filled with thousands of supportive and grateful comments from fans who highlighted the work done by the coaching staff and the squad.

Scaloni‘s words arrived after a World Cup in which Argentina once again competed among the best on the planet. His message transcended the sporting result to focus on collective effort, resilience, and the values that, according to the coach, define the group he led over recent years.

A symbolic ending to the letter

The publication concluded with a postscript that moved his followers once again and quickly began going viral across social media: “Whoever has an Argentine friend has a treasure.”

Far from focusing solely on the defeat, Lionel Scaloni’s letter sought to give new meaning to the journey taken by Argentina throughout his successful tenure in the 2026 World Cup.

Olmo spoke to Diari de Terrassa, via Mundo Deportivo, reacting to Ayala expressing regret over the scuffle in the 2026 World Cup final and said, “Someone who claims to be remorseful but justifies a punch by saying it was a response to ‘something said’ is almost certainly not actually remorseful.”

But Olmo didn’t stop there. He called Ayala a liar. “He is not telling the truth, because I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologize. What truly defines us is not the mistake, but the courage to own up to it.” This all stems from Ayala punching Olmo in the face in the aftermath of the Spain vs Argentina World Cup final.

Olmo didn’t retaliate at all

When the incident happened, Olmo didn’t respond to the punch by Ayala. In fact, it was Eric Garcia the one that pushed the Argentina coach back. This has been a hugely controversial incident as Olmo has been praised for his calm and composure.

On the other hand, Ayala has been heavily scrutinized by this act. He is a coach, a much older personality and it seems like it all stemmed from something that Olmo said. Though now, Olmo has denied ever saying something.

Neither party has faced any consequences yet

While Olmo has nothing to fear, as he is a victim in this incident, Ayala might suffer some consequences. Ayala hasn’t been punished yet, but FIFA launched an official investigation.

Ayala could be suspended for a period of time and also, due to his actions, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) could be heavily fined. However, no decision has been made as of now.

Paredes spoke to the press and said a concerning statement about Messi. “I believe Messi had made the decision that the World Cup final would be his last match for the national team. I hope not. I hope he can keep playing. Whatever makes him happy will make us happy too.”

But that wasn’t the only concerning news. Paredes says Messi is not the only one thinking about it. “Many of us will have to think about whether to continue with the national team or not. It’s going to be very difficult to maintain this level and keep the group functioning the way it has. We need to make those decisions calmly.”

Messi led one of the most successful stints in Argentina’s history

Messi was the undoubted star of this generation for Argentina, but players like Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, ‘Dibu‘ Martinez, Nico Otamendi and many more were at the forefront of a golden age for the Albiceleste. All of them are north of 30 and could see their international careers as complete. After all, they won:

• 2x Copa America
• 1x Finalissima
• 1x World Cup
• 1x World Cup runners-up.

The future still can be bright for Argentina

While many legends could say goodbye, Argentina has four years to polish the new generation into a World Cup contender, and there are some key players that can shape the new generation. Also, players like Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister will transition into veteran roles but still remain.

Argentina should focus on the following players as the new core of the national team:

• Nico Paz – 21 years old – Attacking Midfielder
• Franco Mastantuono – 18 years old – Right Winger
• Valentin Barco – 22 years old – Midfielder
• Santiago Beltran – 21 years old – Goalkeeper
• Julio Soler – 21 years old – Left back
• Ezequiel Fernandez – 24 years old – Midfielder
• Tomas Aranda – 19 years old – Midfielder
• Maximo Perrone – 23 years old – Defensive Midfielder

Following his return to Boca Jrs, where he played a key role in his team’s victory with an assist to Miguel Merentiel, he spoke with the press and responded to conspiracy theories. “Many things were said, but Spain were superior to us in the final; they are the fair winner of the World Cup,” Paredes stated. “For us, what remains is to enjoy what we did over these eight years. It is a pleasure to be a part of this. It is something incredible.”

He did not stop there. Regarding the setback Argentina suffered against Spain, he noted: “It is going to be a long process to overcome what we went through. We achieved important things, but losing the final is going to hurt—we were very close again. It is not easy to maintain the level we had for a long time. Even though the final was lost, we had a World Cup where people felt identified with us, and that is very important.”

His future with Argentina is uncertain

Following the defeat, Scaloni cast doubt on his continuity beyond December, and in recent hours, Nicolas Otamendi confirmed that his cycle with the national team has come to an end. There is also no certainty regarding the decision Lionel Messi will make, although he has yet to speak or say goodbye to his teammates in the locker room, which emerges as a positive sign.

Paredes, for his part, also left it uncertain whether he will be included in the upcoming call-ups for the September-October FIFA windows or the November window, where the Finalissima against Spain could potentially be played.

“It is going to be very difficult to maintain this level for the group to keep functioning in this manner. Decisions need to be made calmly,” he concluded. “I don’t know if I am ready to continue. It is a process; please take some time to digest it and think about it. Rapid decisions shouldn’t be made, but it needs to be talked about.”

Paredes’ happiness

Finally, Paredes—who revealed that he suffered a cracked rib against Egypt but was able to continue playing in the decisive matches of the World Cup—summarized his feelings on the overall experience in the United States. He was happy, and probably the whole Argentina national team feels the same.

On his personal social media accounts, Otamendi wrote a farewell message announcing his retirement from the national team after losing the 2026 World Cup final. “Today I have to write the most difficult words of my entire career,” he posted on Instagram alongside a video featuring his best moments with the Albiceleste. “I dreamed from a very young age of wearing the shirt of the Argentine national team, and it was the greatest privilege soccer gave me. I defended it with my soul, with pride, and with the responsibility of knowing what it means to millions of Argentines.”

He added: “Destiny wanted my last match to be a World Cup final. It was not the result we wanted, but I leave with my head held high knowing that this group tried until the very last second. I say goodbye with the peace of mind of having left everything out there. I never held back a drop of effort, I never stopped believing, and I never stopped feeling this shirt as the greatest honor of my life.”

A message for the next generation

Otamendi occupied a very special and key role for Argentina, serving as one of the most experienced veterans on the team. He leaves behind lessons on how to play in high-pressure environments, bringing the experience of one of the best center backs in the country’s history.

The defender, who developed at Velez, left a message for those who continue with the squad: “I want to tell you something from the heart: never stop believing. There will be blows that seem impossible to overcome, but this shirt always rewards those who defend it with humility, sacrifice, and love. Hold your head high, keep fighting, and do not allow a defeat to rob you of hope. I am convinced that the next chapter of our history will belong to you.”

He also addressed the supporters directly: “Thank you to the Argentine fans. Thank you for the unconditional love, for every flag, for every song, for being with us in the good moments and, above all, in the most difficult ones. You made it so that every time the anthem played, we felt that we were not eleven players, but millions defending the same dream.”

Finally, after expressing gratitude to his family for being a “refuge in every fall and my strength in every challenge,” he concluded: “I say goodbye to the Argentine national team with immense pride for having represented my country. Because titles remain in history, but the love for these colors lasts a lifetime. Thank you, Argentina. Thank you for letting me fulfill the dream of being a world champion and wearing the most beautiful shirt in the world. Farewell, national team.”

Only Messi remains

From the old guard, following farewells such as Otamendi’s or Angel Di Maria’s—which took place after the 2022 World Cup—it could be said that among the core group that battled from 2014 until now, only Lionel Messi remains. Messi’s future remains uncertain, although speculation and rumors suggest he could still play in key matches.

According to Argentine national team insider Gaston Edul of TyC Sports, Messi is not expected to announce his international retirement just yet. Reports suggest that Argentina‘s federation is planning a proper home-field tribute match during upcoming fixtures to give the captain a hero’s sendoff on home soil before any official transition occurs.

Despite coming up short in the final, Messi earned a spot on FIFA’s shortlist for the 2026 World Cup Goal of the Tournament for his long-range strike against Algeria, offering a silver lining of individual recognition after Rodri claimed the Golden Ball as the tournament’s MVP.

Next up for Argentina is determining whether Messi will remain on the roster for upcoming international windows as the squad begins laying the groundwork ahead of the 2028 Copa America.

Messi’s legendary career legacy with Argentina

Beyond restoring national glory with the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, Messi demonstrated his timeless brilliance by shattering multiple records during the 2026 World Cup, a standard of consistency few players in history have ever matched.

Here is a breakdown of his career numbers and impact with La Albiceleste:

Overall stats

• Appearances (Caps): 207
• Goals: 125
• Assists: 65
• Hat-Tricks: 11
• Minutes Played: 17,112′
• Goals Per Game: 0.60

Stats by competition

• FIFA World Cup: 34 matches, 21 goals, 12 assists
• CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers: 72 matches, 36 goals, 15 assists
• Copa América: 39 matches, 14 goals, 18 assists
• International Friendlies: 61 matches, 54 goals, 20 assists
• CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions (Finalissima): 1 match, 0 goals, 2 assists

Major trophies and honors

• FIFA World Cup: Champion (2022), Runner-up (2014, 2026)
• Copa América: Champion (2021, 2024)
• CONMEBOL–UEFA Finalissima: Winner (2022)
• Olympic Gold Medal: Winner (2008 – U23)
• FIFA World Youth Championship: Champion (2005 – U20)
• Individual Tournament Awards: FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (2014, 2022), Copa América Best Player (2015, 2021)

In the short term, Messi will take a mandatory 15-day break following his World Cup run before rejoining Inter Miami, where the recent high-profile signing of Casemiro has reshaped the club’s midfield dynamic for the remainder of the MLS season.

This potential matchup encounters an obstacle that could rule out the option of playing it, specifically regarding the calendar for both sides. It appears impossible for the Finalissima to unfold in 2026, given that Spain already have their international windows booked.

Specifically, between September, October, and November, Spain will face England, Croatia, and Czechia in the Nations League. However, as it is a UEFA competition, the governing body could adjust the fixture list for the Iberian side to find an open slot and allow fans to see Argentina in another title matchup.

The tentative date to play the Finalissima in 2026

Because contracts were signed and a multi-million dollar commercial agreement with Qatar—which holds the broadcast rights to the match—remains on standby, UEFA and CONMEBOL are seeking alternatives to finally host the clash between the reigning Copa America champion and the current Euro winner, thereby distributing the funds that were initially established.

ESPN reported that the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain—serving as a rematch of the 2026 World Cup final that took place this past Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—would be played before the end of the year, approximately in November, at the originally scheduled venue (Lusail Stadium in Doha).

According to the cited outlet, both CONMEBOL, led by Alejandro Dominguez, and UEFA, headed by Aleksander Ceferin, remain in talks to revive the postponed match and, if possible, play it this year—either during the FIFA window running from September 21 to October 6, or the one starting November 9 and closing November 17.

Argentina’s reserved dates

Following the 2026 World Cup final in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Argentina will return to action during the FIFA window between September 21 and October 6. During that period, the national side can play up to four matches, the details of which have yet to be defined.

“Believe me that I didn’t notice [what was happening] at the time. I must have been celebrating with others, I didn’t realize. Certainly, that was inadmissible and intolerable for soccer players of that level,” de la Fuente said during an interview on Teledeporte.

“I had praised them every day going into the final, and still do, because they are great players. [Argentina] have a great head coach, who I’m sure went went through as hard a time as we did after seeing such reactions. What I do believe must be highlighted was our behavior. Especially after that kind of aggressions and provocations, our players always kept good sportsmanship.”

Reactions to the fight

De la Fuente isn’t the first—nor will he be the last—to speak on the incident. Argentina’s assistant coach Roberto Ayala expressed regret over his scuffle with Dani Olmo once the tension had settled after the heated showdown.

Moreover, Gavi addressed his fight with Leandro Paredes and the lack of a red card for the Argentine midfielder. As for Paredes, he hasn’t made any comment on the topic. Most likely, he won’t address it and simply move on.

How the fighting started

After referee Slavko Vincic blew the final whistle on extra time and Spain were crowned the 2026 World Cup champions, players on the bench flew onto the pitch. Some words must have been exchanged between Leandro Paredes and Eric García, as the Argentine shoved the Spaniard to the ground.

Gavi intervened but received the worst of it, being targeted by Paredes and, to a lesser extent, Thiago Almada. Lionel Scaloni stepped in to separate the fighting parties, while another quarrel broke out between Ayala and Olmo. After several intense seconds, the scuffle ended and the two sides went their separate ways.

With that, the 2026 World Cup had a conclusion on par with the extreme tension of the knockout stage, though far from what the spirit of sport and FIFA’s message aims to be.

“When the match ended, my intention was to step in and separate everyone, but emotions were running high and things escalated,” Ayala told Valencia Capital Radio. “What happened isn’t an excuse, and I shouldn’t have reacted that way. It was a knee-jerk reaction to something said. But what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. Spain was the better team and deserved to win.”

The scuffle unfolded simultaneously alongside another heated brawl involving Leandro Paredes and Gavi. While tempers flared, the Spanish prodigy actually helped defuse the post-match fallout by publicly urging FIFA not to discipline Paredes for the exchange.

The post-match drama wasn’t limited to the pitch, either. Spanish pop star Rosalia found herself issuing an apology to her Argentine fanbase after her enthusiastic social media celebrations following Spain’s victory sparked backlash online.

Other key takeaways from the Argentine camp

In the aftermath of the final, several prominent figures within the Argentine squad addressed the chaos. Head coach Lionel Scaloni weighed in on the match officiating while taking high-road honors, praising Spain’s dominant performance.

While rumors swirled about potential FIFA disciplinary action targeting Paredes for his role in the melee, cooler heads ultimately prevailed. Once the dust settled, the post-match commentary served as a reminder of how quickly high-stakes tension fades once cooler heads prevail off the pitch.

Looking ahead, Argentina now shift their focus toward integrating the next generation of talent for the 2030 cycle. While question marks remain over Lionel Messi’s involvement in upcoming international fixtures, the team must also confront an uncertain future in goal after Emiliano Martinez left his international status up in the air.

Featuring global superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, the championship match attracted an unprecedented audience, reflecting the growing popularity of soccer across the country.

Now, FOX has confirmed that the final delivered the largest audience ever recorded for a soccer broadcast in U.S. history. Telemundo also got massive numbers.

FOX confirms record-breaking audience

According to FOX, the Argentina vs Spain World Cup final averaged 38.937 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in U.S. history. The audience represented a 132% increase compared to FOX’s broadcast of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.

The network also revealed that the match reached a peak audience of 51.685 million viewers, highlighting the enormous interest generated by the showdown between two of international soccer’s biggest powers.

Historic numbers across U.S. television

The record becomes even more impressive when combining the audiences from FOX and Telemundo. Across both broadcasters, the 2026 FIFA World Cup final averaged 66.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer match ever broadcast in the United States.

For FOX, the event also became the network’s largest non-NFL telecast since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, placing the World Cup final among the biggest television events of the past decade.

The remarkable figures underline how far soccer has grown in the United States, especially after the country co-hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the tournament drawing record crowds, massive television audiences, and unprecedented attention from sports fans nationwide.