Spain midfielder Dani Olmo has dismissed concerns regarding Argentina's decision to avoid watching the Spanish squad lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. Following Spain's 1-0 victory in the final on Sunday, July 19, the Argentine side, led by Lionel Messi, chose not to remain on the pitch for the trophy presentation, opting instead to acknowledge their supporters on the opposite side of the field. This occurred despite Spain having previously formed a guard of honor for the Argentine team as they accepted their runner-up medals.
Addressing the incident after the celebrations, Olmo remarked, "We don’t care. What’s important are the values you want to transmit. We are an example for many generations, and I think they should be too. Now, we’re going to enjoy it." The final match was marked by high tensions, including a stoppage-time dismissal of Argentina's Enzo Fernández and a red card for Leandro Paredes following a physical confrontation with Gavi. Additionally, Lionel Messi faced criticism during the match for his attempts to have Marc Cucurella sent off.
Spain secured their second World Cup title through a 106th-minute goal by Ferran Torres. Statistical analysis from the match highlighted Spain's dominance, with the team maintaining 65 percent possession and completing 763 passes at an 89 percent accuracy rate. Spain recorded 20 total shots with 12 on target and an expected goals (xG) value of 2.29. In contrast, Argentina managed only two shots, neither of which were on target, resulting in an xG of 0.22.
Following the match, former AC Milan forward and FOX Sports pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic praised Spain’s performance, stating, "Football won today. The way they play football, the way they played in this tournament – when you watch football, this is what you want to see. Today, Argentina, they had zero shots on goal. Best defence in the tournament? Spain, and the right team won."
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