The tension did not end with the final whistle between Argentina and England.
As the Argentine players began celebrating their qualification, the broadcast cameras captured a moment that quickly started going viral on social media.
The footage shows Jude Bellingham approaching Valentín Barco from behind and slapping him on the back of the neck. The Argentine defender reacted immediately, turned around and confronted the English player, sparking a brief clash that was eventually brought under control by other players and members of both squads.
The video began circulating as soon as the match ended and quickly divided opinions. While some believe Bellingham’s gesture was an unnecessary provocation amid Argentina’s celebration, others think it was a minor action typical of a match that ended with tempers at their limit.
The scene adds to a series of heated incidents that marked the match, which also featured intense arguments over some refereeing decisions and several controversial plays during the 90 minutes.
Watch the fight here:
And here from another angle: