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In the article called Argentina masters of football’s “dark arts.”

The publication said the South American side were constantly seeking to tick off and disrupt the English players, from late tackles and off-the-ball challenges to mind games, turning the match into a battle of not just football but also psychological warfare.

From the very first minute of the game on Wednesday, Argentina’s intention to create physical and mental pressure was evident. After only 19 seconds, Alexis Mac Allister delivered a fierce tackle on Elliot Anderson to set the tone.

In the second minute, Leandro Paredes aggressively pushed Jude Bellingham from behind. This caused the Real Madrid midfielder to react, forcing players from both teams to intervene.

As soon as the game resumed, Enzo Fernández committed a foul on Anderson. Moments later, Giuliano Simeone kicked Anderson in the heel, an action that quickly escalated the tension on the pitch.

In the 11th minute, Fernández fouled Anderson again but escaped without a booking, leading to a physical wrestling match on the ground as both players angrily tried to get up.

Shortly after this incident, Morgan Rogers was tripped by an opposing player while attempting to retreat during a quick counter-attack by Argentina.

According to The Telegraphthe Argentina players did not just rely on tackles. They also frequently engaged in subtle actions designed to provoke their opponents.

For example, in the 13th minute, Simeone was caught offside but collided with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford inside the box, following up with a taunting gesture towards him.

In the 15th minute, Paredes made a legitimate tackle that left Bellingham on the ground, but the Argentina player then stood over his opponent and repeatedly complained to him.

A minute later, Anthony Gordon broke through the lines and was fouled by Simeone. On his way back to defend, Simeone lightly patted Gordon on the head, an action that made several English players frustrated.

The most tense moment of the first half occurred in the 36th minute when Argentina pressured the referee. After Anderson received a yellow card for fouling Lionel Messi, the Argentina players reacted fiercely. Mac Allister and Paredes surrounded the official, gesturing for him to consider sending off Harry Kane for allegedly covering his mouth while speaking, which is a new rule applied in this World Cup.

Before the first half ended, Lisandro Martinez received a yellow card for pulling Rogers’s shirt.

Argentina were also accused of intentionally slowing down the pace of the game when a member of their bench threw an old ball back onto the pitch just as Reece James was preparing to take a quick throw-in.

In the second half, the physical clashes did not stop. Messi pushed Bellingham into the advertising boards after both players slid off the touchline while contesting a ball.

Cristian Romero later received a yellow card for grappling with Bellingham to stop a dangerous counter-attack. Meanwhile, Simeone escaped punishment despite appearing to swing his arm directly at Djed Spence’s face.

After England scored their opening goal, the overall pace of the game somewhat slowed down, but the verbal and physical clashes continued.

Messi pushed Spence during a throw-in, and Romero was heavily criticized for provoking Pickford by shouting at him immediately after Fernández scored the late equalizer.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lays down on the pitch at the end of the 2026 World Cup semifinal against England, which critics have described as a tactic to buy time. Photo by Reuters

Post-match chaos

In the final minutes of the match, while under heavy pressure from England, the South American players leaned heavily into their disruptive tactics.

Gonzalo Montiel provoked Bellingham following a challenge and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez dramatically went down to the ground after catching a ball in injury time to waste the remaining seconds.

Even after the final whistle blew to confirm Argentina’s 2-1 victory, the tension did not wane. Argentina’s provocative celebrations sparked angry reactions from several English players.

Dean Henderson shoved Lautaro Martínez, Rogers clashed with a large group of Argentina players, and Bellingham retaliated by patting substitute Valentin Barco on the head.

Adding to the controversy, Argentina concluded the night by celebrating with a politically motivated banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (Malvinas are Argentinian), refering to the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic.

According to The Guardianthis act could result in sanctions from FIFA.