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Explained: What Led to the Heated Exchange Between Leandro Paredes and Gavi in the World Cup Final
Deepa Krishnaswamy | July 20, 2026 9:52 PM CST

One of the most talked-about moments from the World Cup final was the altercation between Leandro Paredes and Gavi. But what exactly caused the confrontation?

The incident started right after the final whistle when Rodri began celebrating Spain’s triumph. Nahuel Molina appeared to throw what looked like a punch in Rodri’s direction, which provoked an angry reaction from the Spanish captain.

Eric García quickly stepped in to defend his teammate, which led to a direct face-off with Paredes, the Argentine midfielder. The tension escalated as players from both sides became involved.

Gavi then entered the fray, clashing physically with Paredes. The young Barcelona midfielder ended up on the ground after exchanging blows with the Boca Juniors player in the heated moment.

Eventually, players and officials from both teams intervened to diffuse the situation, allowing Spain’s celebrations to continue peacefully.


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