8 Years Later, The MCU Has Confirmed Who Is The Actual Winner Of The Civil War In The Worst Way

It’s been eight years since Captain America: Civil War divided the Avengers and left fans picking sides between Team Cap and Team Iron Man.

At the time, it seemed like Iron Man’s side emerged victorious, with Captain America and his allies on the run.

However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has slowly revealed that the true outcome of this conflict is far more tragic.

Despite the initial victory, it turns out that Team Cap may have won the greater battle—but in the worst possible way.

Team Iron Man’s Tragic Losses

In the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, it appeared that Team Iron Man had come out on top.

The Sokovia Accords were in place, and Captain America’s allies were either imprisoned, on the run, or under house arrest.

But as the MCU continued to unfold, the fates of Team Iron Man’s members told a different story, one of loss and sacrifice.

Tony Stark, the leader of Team Iron Man, paid the ultimate price in Avengers: Endgame.

His journey ended with a heroic sacrifice, using the Infinity Stones to save the universe at the cost of his own life.

Natasha Romanoff, another key member, also sacrificed herself to obtain the Soul Stone, leaving a void in the Avengers that could never be filled.

Meanwhile, T’Challa’s tragic death (and also the actor in real life), addressed in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, left the MCU and its fans mourning the loss of Chadwick Boseman and his iconic character.

Other members of Team Iron Man didn’t fare much better.

Vision was killed not once, but twice in Avengers: Infinity War, first by Wanda Maximoff and then by Thanos.

Although Vision returned in WandaVision, he was drastically altered, his memories corrupted and his identity fractured.

Rhodey, too, suffered in silence, replaced by a Skrull long before Secret Invasion, leaving him unconscious and vulnerable for an unknown period.

Even Peter Parker, who joined Team Iron Man in Civil War, faced a devastating outcome in Spider-Man: No Way Home, where the world forgot he ever existed, leaving him completely alone.

Team Cap’s Survivors Are Luckier, But Not Unscathed

While Team Iron Man was marked by tragedy, the members of Team Cap emerged relatively unscathed, at least in comparison.

Steve Rogers, who stood against the Sokovia Accords, ended his story on a high note, retiring as Captain America and living out his life with Peggy Carter in an alternate timeline.

Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes both continued to thrive, taking on new roles as heroes in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier & the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World, while Scott Lang (Ant-Man) managed to defeat Kang the Conqueror and return to his family.

Even Clint Barton found a sense of peace, mentoring a new hero in Hawkeye.

However, not all members of Team Cap were spared from hardship.

Wanda Maximoff, despite being on the same side as Cap, faced one of the most tragic arcs in the MCU.

After the events of the Civil War, she was forced to kill Vision, watched him die again, and then lost her children in WandaVision.

Her descent into villainy in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness culminated in her apparent death.

Yet, the MCU has hinted at Wanda’s potential return, suggesting that even her tragic end might be reversed.

Even as the dust settles, there’s still a chance for redemption and return.

Wanda Maximoff’s death might not be as final as it seems.

The upcoming Agatha: Darkhold Diaries series introduces the Witches’ Road, a mystical plane of existence that could potentially bring Wanda back to life.

This development would mean that Team Cap, despite all the hardships, might see the return of one of their most powerful members, further solidifying their ultimate victory in a way that transcends the original conflict.

A Tale of Two Endings

The contrast between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark’s fates highlights the real outcome of the Civil War.

Tony, who began as a self-centered billionaire, ended his life as a selfless hero, but his victory was bittersweet.

He saved the universe but left his family and friends behind, burdened by grief.

On the other hand, Steve, who always wanted a simple life, finally got his happy ending with Peggy.

The fact that Steve got to live out his dream while Tony paid the ultimate price underlines the notion that Team Cap, in the grand scheme, was the true winner of the Civil War, albeit in a way no one could have anticipated.