Argentina’s 31 soiled methods vs England uncovered as FIFA to punish World Cup rule breakers
Argentina did everything possible to wind up England players during the World Cup semi-final, employing a number of controversial tactics to get under the skin of their opponents
Argentina tried to wind up England on Wednesday evening(Image: Getty Images)
In a move that shocked no one, Argentina pulled out all the stops to rile up England players during the World Cup semi-final.
Driven by years of historical rivalry, both on and off the pitch, Lionel Scaloni’s team employed every trick in the book to unsettle their adversaries. To their credit, the England squad largely kept their composure, with fears of a repeat of David Beckham’s infamous 1998 World Cup red card incident proving unfounded.
In a predictable turn of events following their dramatic win, Argentine fans unveiled a banner proclaiming “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” or “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian.” The victorious players held up the banner as they celebrated their triumph.
Argentina were up to their old tricks against England(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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They are likely to face sanctions from FIFA for breaching rules prohibiting political messages on the pitch. Argentina were fined by FIFA after holding up a banner with the same slogan after a friendly against Slovenia in 2014.
Here’s a blow-by-blow account of Argentina’s underhand tactics on a night neither nation will forget…
1 min – Alexis Mac Allister lands a hit on Elliot Anderson just 19 seconds into the semi-final, reports the Manchester Evening News.
2 mins – Tempers flare when Leandro Parades needlessly shoves Jude Bellingham in the back, leading the Real Madrid player to retaliate verbally, with players from both teams getting involved.
Argentina tried to get Harry Kane sent off(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
3 mins – Argentina’s game plan to disrupt England’s build-up play becomes apparent when Enzo Fernandez arrives late on Anderson shortly after play resumes.
6 mins – Anderson finds himself in the thick of it again when Giuliano Simeone, son of Beckham’s old adversary Diego, clips the back of Anderson’s foot.
11 mins – The England squad begins to retaliate as Fernandez avoids a penalty for another foul on Anderson, leading to a brief scuffle on the pitch.
Cristian Romero was eventually booked(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
11 mins – Simultaneously, a recovering Morgan Rogers is tripped up.
13 mins – After an offside flag against Simeone, Jordan Pickford collides with him while trying to get the ball, causing the midfielder to flick his boot at the England keeper.
15 mins – Leandro Paredes delivers a hefty tackle on Bellingham, who then becomes the target of a verbal onslaught.
John Stones receives treatment(Image: Getty Images)
16 mins – Anthony Gordon makes a dash forward only to be brought down by Simeone, who adds insult to injury with a patronising pat on the head.
24 mins – Referee Ismail Elfath warns Simeone not to obstruct Pickford at a corner, but he does exactly that. Elfath blows his whistle for a violation as the set-piece is taken.
28 mins – Mac Allister arrives late on Reece James, but no foul is given, causing Tuchel to lose his temper on the sidelines.
Leandro Paredes clatters into Jude Bellingham(Image: Getty Images)
31 mins – Fernandez becomes the third player in quick succession to foul Bellingham after the England midfielder had sidestepped Simeone.
33 mins – Marc Guehi positions himself ahead of Simeone and, during the struggle for the ball, the winger leads with his head in an attempt to hinder him.
34 mins – Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina enters the mix by shoving into Bellingham’s back.
Enzo Fernandez catches Elliot Anderson late(Image: Getty Images)
36 mins – Messi skilfully dodges past Kane and Gordon before Anderson collides with him, earning the game’s first yellow card. Messi takes a subtle swipe at Djed Spence, which goes unnoticed.
37 mins – As Anderson receives his yellow card, Kane covers his mouth to speak to the referee, causing Mac Allister and Paredes to passionately appeal for his dismissal. However, a player cannot be sent off for covering their mouth while speaking to the referee, only for confrontational speech towards an opponent.
41 mins – When Rogers attempts a counter-attack, Lisandro Martínez pulls him back, leading to the referee finally booking a player in blue.
Thomas Tuchel lost his cool on several occasions(Image: Getty Images)
45+1 mins – As James tries to take a quick throw-in with a new ball, someone from the Argentina bench throws the old one back onto the pitch in a bid to waste time.
45+2 mins – Just as the first half is about to end, Paredes raises a high boot on Anderson.
Half-time – Messi and Fernandez approach the referee to air their grievances. Messi continues his protests as they head down the tunnel.
48 mins – Bellingham corners Messi at the byline and, as they both fall off the pitch, Messi pushes the England midfielder into the advertising board.
51 mins – Cristian Romero, the Argentina player most likely to receive a yellow card, finally gets one for pulling Bellingham down rugby-style to stop a counter-attack.
53 mins – Simeone swings an arm behind him, striking Spence squarely in the face, yet no card is issued.
58 mins – As Pickford tries to gather the ball, Romero stays standing instead of ducking. The Everton goalie topples over him and crashes onto the pitch.
73 mins – Following the hydration break, Messi takes a swipe at Spence as the Tottenham player attempts to take a throw-in.
85 mins – After Fernandez’s leveller, Romero celebrates by bellowing directly into Pickford’s face.
88 mins – John Stones is knocked to the ground with a head injury, pausing the game as the Argentina players swarm the referee to protest – once again.
90+2 mins – Bellingham tries to propel England forward, but as the ball goes out for a throw-in, Gabriel Montiel confronts him to unleash a stream of insults.
90+7 mins – With England now lagging behind, Emiliano Martinez grabs a high ball before falling to the ground to eat up time, all the while sporting a wide grin.
Full-time – Argentina’s raucous celebrations rile several England players. Dean Henderson pushes Lautaro Martinez, while Rogers gets tangled up with a group of players and Bellingham smacks substitute Valentin Barco on the back of the head.
Celebrations – Argentina players display a banner, tossed by fans, bearing the message: “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” which could potentially land the country’s football association in trouble.
