Why the English celebrated Spain's win over Argentina

The unusual Anglo support for Spain after the final

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina left an image that goes beyond the result: the wave of sympathy for the Spanish team from English-speaking countries, led by figures like Piers Morgan, was as striking as the victory itself. What led 90% of the English, according to some analyses, to back Spain? The answer, according to the debates that emerged, points to Argentina's behaviour on the pitch.

Violent play and a global reaction

During the match, Argentina deployed a style many described as extreme violence, with tackles that looked more like an MMA fight than a football match. Videos from outlets such as India Times showed assaults after the final whistle, drawing thousands of comments of condemnation, even from Argentine fans who felt ashamed of players like Leandro Paredes and Nicolás Otamendi. The perception that Argentina enjoyed favourable refereeing throughout the tournament also fuelled the backlash.

A common front against "dirty play"

Support for Spain was not limited to the English. Users from Mexico, Colombia and other countries showed their preference for the Spanish team, interpreting it as a punishment for Argentina's "dirty play". A narrative even emerged of "almost everyone backing Spain in the final", in contrast to the story that FIFA or the referees had protected Argentina. The open question is whether this phenomenon was a spontaneous reaction or an orchestrated operation, as some theories suggest, pointing to alleged Anglophile messages slipped into media such as Spain's public broadcaster TVE over several days.

The debate over ethics in football and the weight of a national team's international image remains open, with Spain's victory as the backdrop to a controversy that refuses to die down.