<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/argentina/">Argentina</a>‘s high-octane playing style became one of the defining talking points of the 2026 World Cup, where occasional tactical directness was superseded by a fierce, hyper-aggressive edge. Following Spain‘s 1-0 extra-time triumph in the final, Spanish defender <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/pedro-porro/">Pedro Porro</a> came to the Albiceleste‘s defense, candidly arguing that “they deserved to be in the final“.



When pressed by Mundo Deportivo regarding Argentina’s physical approach, Porro offered a balanced perspective: “Everyone thinks that Argentina is a competitive team. I believe that’s just their way of playing, and I have no reason to counter that. At the end of the day, they have been a great national team throughout the entire <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/">World Cup</a> and demonstrated it by coming back in matches.“



Indeed, Argentina sat near the bottom of the tournament’s fair-play rankings. The Albiceleste averaged 14.1 fouls per match, seventh-most in the field, and racked up 14 yellow cards, the highest total by any team at the 2026 World Cup. By comparison, champion <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/spain/">Spain</a> picked up just six cautions over their entire seven-match run.



Yet, Argentina’s physical edge was matched by undeniable firepower. They finished as the tournament’s third-highest scoring team with 19 goals (behind only France and England at 20) and made history in the Round of 16 by becoming the first team to erase a two-goal knockout deficit within regulation time in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/07/20202258/pedro-porro-spain-argentina-1920x1080.webp" alt="Pedro Porro #12 of Spain kisses the World Cup Winner&apos;s Trophy." class="wp-image-667498"><figcaption>Pedro Porro #12 of Spain kisses the World Cup Winner’s Trophy.</figcaption></figure>



The Spanish right-back concluded his postgame remarks by praising the opposition at MetLife Stadium. “I believe they also deserved to be in the final, and to be honest, it was a very beautiful final. Luckily, it went our way. I’d also like to congratulate them on the great work they’ve done throughout the whole World Cup,” Porro stated.


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<h2>Porro caps off a breakout World Cup campaign</h2>



Porro’s international breakout provided a dramatic contrast to a grueling 2025–26 club campaign with Tottenham Hotspur, where the defender logged heavy minutes during a tense Premier League season. Initially arriving in North America as a rotation option, the former Manchester City player seized his opportunity and anchored himself as one of the elite right-backs of the tournament.



After rotation appearances against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, and Uruguay in the group stage, Porro took over the starting spot for manager Luis de la Fuente during the knockout phase. Scoring in the Round of 32 against Austria and adding another strike against France in the semifinal, he cemented his reputation as a dominant, two-way force along the flank for the world champions.

Pedro Porro defends Argentina’s playing style after Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph: ‘They deserved to be in the final’

Pedro Porro defends Argentina's playing style after Spain's 2026 World Cup triumph: 'They deserved to be in the final' - World Soccer Talk

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Leicester City made a strong showing in its return to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> in the 2024/25 season with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur. After shaking off the nerves of top-flight action in the first half, Steve Cooper’s side dominated the second half. With Jamie Vardy featuring on the scoresheet to cancel out Pedro Porro’s opener, Leicester showed it can be a capable side in the Premier League this season.



This is not to say Leicester City will look to rival its performance from the 2015/16 season in which it won the league. However, with the looming threat of a points deduction, Leicester’s on-field performance settled any nerves about a poor showing following its Championship title last campaign. 



<h2>What happened?</h2>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> limped into the close of the 2023/24 season. Two wins in the side’s last seven games may have taken away from the early signs of growth Spurs showed under Ange Postecoglou fell into the back of fans’ minds. That potential returned in the first half at the King Power Stadium. From the first whistle, Tottenham looked a threat going forward. By the end of the first half-hour, the visitors had the lead. 



James Maddison, playing against his former club for the first time since joining Tottenham, was the driving force for every Tottenham move. He eventually found the ball 25 yards from goal. A lofted ball into the box met the lacing header from Pedro Porro. The Spaniard’s effort slid beyond Leicester shot-stopper Mads Hermansen.



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Four minutes later, Tottenham nearly doubled its lead. Another perfect cross from Maddison on a free kick found Brennan Johnson at the back post. Johnson’s first-time volley raced across the face of goal. That near-miss meant Leicester trailed by just one goal at the break.



Jamie Vardy, who had 136 Premier League goals going into the 2024/25 season, was a fitting scorer to open Leicester’s account this season. The poacher was ready at the back post for a cross in the <a href="https://x.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1825628901562892370" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">57th minute</a>. The Englishman should have given Leicester the lead in the 70th minute. A tremendous save from Guglielmo Vicario kept parity in the game that would persist until full time.



<h2>What’s next for Leicester and Tottenham?</h2>



A well-earned point for Leicester City will be a strong stepping stone into the Foxes’ next game. Steve Cooper’s side will travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, which is coming off a loss at Old Trafford. Of course, Leicester is also minding the potential punishment of the points deduction from exorbitant spending in its last Premier League campaign.



Perhaps disappointed after it stormed out of the gates to open the contest, Ange Postecoglou will ready his side for a home game against Everton. Last season, Tottenham drew its first game on the road against Brentford. It then rattled off eight wins over its next nine games in a sensational start to the campaign. Postecoglou will hope a win over Everton can set the side on a similar path. 



Coverage of both Leicester and Tottenham’s games next weekend is available through Peacock at 10 a.m. ET.



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Jamie Vardy back scoring Premier League goals in Spurs draw

Leicester City made a strong showing in its return to the Premier League in the 2024/25 season with a draw against Tottenham Hotspur.

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Pedro Porro defends Argentina’s playing style after Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph: ‘They deserved to be in the final’

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Jamie Vardy back scoring Premier League goals in Spurs draw