Argentina World Cup final handshake snub overshadows Spain's win

Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez turned the medal ceremony into the main talking point after Spain's 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final. Ferran Torres scored the 106th-minute winner in Spain vs Argentina, but the image that spread fastest was the Argentina pair's reaction to Donald Trump on the podium.

The medal ceremony reaction

Lisandro Martínez did not shake hands with FIFA president Gianni Infantino or Donald Trump during the ceremony. Romero shook hands with Infantino, then walked past Donald Trump and greeted Claudia Sheinbaum and Mark Carney instead.

That was the defining image of Argentina's runners-up podium, not the goal that settled the match. It was also the moment that pulled the final away from the football for a few minutes, which is not ideal for anyone who wanted the night remembered for the football itself.

Scaloni's comments after the final

Lionel Scaloni added another layer to the fallout when he said he did not know whether he would be able to do something as big as this again. He also said, "I feel the need to think because I don't know if I'm going to be able to do something as big as this" and later added, "It breaks my heart. I'm sorry."

He has already won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and two Copa America titles with Argentina, so the uncertainty around his future feels significant. The emotion in his press conference matched the mood around the dressing room after a final that ended with extra-time frustration and a very public podium snub.

Spain's winner came from Torres after he came off the bench, and the tournament numbers back up the idea that he was used as an impact option rather than a constant starter. He has 1 goal and 1 assist across 8 appearances in 2026, with 302 minutes in total.

His final rating was 6.69, and his recent World Cup ratings were 6.77, 6.3, 6.81, 6.2 and 6.6. Good enough to matter, not the kind of return that takes attention away from the chaos around the medal ceremony.

The football will be remembered, but the night belonged to the podium. Argentina's final image was not just defeat, it was the awkward walk past Donald Trump and the questions that followed for Scaloni.