Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has called on referees to take firm control of Argentina's physical approach when the two sides meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at New York New Jersey Stadium, warning that leniency could allow the match to spiral out of control.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, the former Manchester City centre-back expressed concern about what he described as Argentina's tendency to deliberately unsettle opponents through aggressive play that pushes the boundaries of the rules.

Laporte's appeal to officials

"It's the referee's job to keep a handle on these things so the situation doesn't get out of hand," Laporte said. "If one or two players are allowed to act that way, the match descends into chaos."

He was careful to draw a distinction between competitive physicality and behaviour he considers unacceptable. "I'm not at all worried about aggression within the context of football. If it's within the rules and the referee does their job, I have no problem with it," he added.

Laporte pointed to recent matches as evidence of his concerns, noting that certain incidents had caught Spain's squad off guard. "It is true, however, that in recent matches we've seen things that really surprised us — actions that were allowed to slide," he said. "Especially with Argentina. They're a team that likes to leave a mark on their opponents. That sort of thing shouldn't be allowed in football — particularly in major competitions — because it can unsettle you and make you angry."

Spain's clean record

Despite his warnings about Argentina, Laporte was at pains to highlight Spain's discipline throughout the tournament. He stressed that his side have avoided reckless challenges and kept their focus on football rather than physical confrontation.

The final comes as the stakes could hardly be higher, with both nations chasing the sport's ultimate prize on the grandest of stages.