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Dave Portnoy calls out ‘brutal call’ from referee in World Cup final

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images
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Dave Portnoy snaps at a controversial call in favor of Argentina during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Argentina and Spain were inseparable after 90 minutes during their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash at the MetLife Stadium.

Spain eventually ended up winning the game thanks to Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute winner, but many believe the game should have been settled earlier in extra time.

After all, Nico Williams scored a stunning goal in the 96th-minute of extra time, but the goal was quickly ruled out by the referee.

Nico Williams of Spain reacts after the cancelled first goal of Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images

Dave Portnoy couldn’t believe Nico Williams’ goal was disallowed

The official explanation for Williams’ disallowed goal was that Mikel Merino stepped on the foot of Nicolas Otamendi during the build-up leading to it.

Most fans were left in shock as they believed it wasn’t an obvious foul, and this included Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who expressed his disbelief in an X post.

“That was a brutal call taking that goal away. Brutal,” Portnoy wrote on X.

As Portnoy stated, it was indeed a brutal call, and Williams certainly deserved the honor of scoring the game-winning goal in the World Cup final.

But Spain was later rewarded for their relentless attack as Torres got past Argentina’s wall, Emiliano Martinez, who had a record 11 saves during the final.