Leandro Paredes booked after striking Newell’s player during Boca Juniors draw

Leandro Paredes was booked after an incident involving Newell’s Old Boys midfielder Facundo Guch during Boca Juniors’ 2-2 draw, as the Argentina international faced fresh criticism for his conduct.

The controversy occurred during one of Newell’s Old Boys’ attacks, when Guch fell to the ground following a challenge with a Boca Juniors player. As the Newell’s player attempted to get back to his feet, Paredes struck the ball forcefully into his body, knocking him down again.

The incident immediately led to a confrontation between the players and created a major dispute on the pitch. Paredes was shown a yellow card, but his actions attracted widespread condemnation, with critics describing the behaviour as violent and unsporting.

The match ended 2-2, but Paredes once again became the focus of attention for an incident away from the main contest. His involvement came after he had already faced intense scrutiny following Argentina’s World Cup final defeat by Spain.

Paredes was criticised after that match, which Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time as La Roja secured their second World Cup title. Immediately after the final whistle, the midfielder confronted Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi in an incident that was widely viewed as unsporting.

The scenes unfolded on the pitch at MetLife Stadium, where Paredes was unable to contain his anger after Argentina’s defeat. His reaction, which included physical contact with the Spanish players, prompted strong criticism and was described as a shameful moment.

The latest incident involving Boca Juniors has therefore added to the controversy surrounding the midfielder. Rather than allowing the 2-2 draw with Newell’s Old Boys to pass without incident, Paredes again found himself at the centre of an angry on-field dispute.

Paredes, who plays for Boca Juniors and represents Argentina, was not sent off after the clash with Guch. However, the yellow card did little to prevent further criticism of his conduct during the match.

The confrontation came after a routine challenge had left Guch on the ground. While the Newell’s player tried to rise, Paredes’ decision to kick the ball directly at him escalated the situation and produced an immediate reaction from both teams.

Players gathered on the pitch as tempers flared, before the dispute was brought under control. Paredes remained in the match, but the incident overshadowed the final stages of a game in which Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys shared four goals.

The midfielder’s actions have now placed him under renewed scrutiny, following the criticism he received for his conduct in the World Cup final. His challenge on Guch has prompted another wave of disapproval over his behaviour and raised further questions about his discipline in high-pressure matches.