Argentina employed a series of 31 dirty tricks during their World Cup semi-final victory over England, ranging from early fouls to political provocation, risking disciplinary action from FIFA. The match, played on July 14, 2026, saw Lionel Scaloni's side repeatedly target England players, with the tactics escalating from the opening seconds.
Early Aggression and Fouls
Within the first minute, Alexis Mac Allister caught Elliot Anderson with a challenge just 19 seconds into the game. By the second minute, Leandro Paredes unnecessarily shoved Jude Bellingham, sparking a verbal exchange that drew in players from both sides. Enzo Fernandez then arrived late on Anderson at the three-minute mark, highlighting Argentina's strategy to disrupt England's build-up play.
At six minutes, Giuliano Simeone—son of Diego Simeone, who infamously got David Beckham sent off in 1998—caught the back of Anderson's foot. England began to retaliate at 11 minutes when Fernandez escaped punishment for another foul on Anderson, followed by a brief grappling match. Simultaneously, Morgan Rogers was tripped while recovering.
Physical Confrontations and Time-Wasting
At 13 minutes, after an offside flag against Simeone, Jordan Pickford collided with him while retrieving the ball, prompting Simeone to flick his boot towards the England goalkeeper. Leandro Paredes executed a robust challenge on Bellingham at 15 minutes, followed by a verbal volley. Anthony Gordon was hauled down by Simeone at 16 minutes, who then delivered a condescending pat on the head.
Referee Ismail Elfath warned Simeone at a corner at 24 minutes against obstructing Pickford, but Simeone did precisely that, leading to a whistle. Mac Allister arrived late on Reece James at 28 minutes without a foul being awarded, causing England coach Thomas Tuchel to lose his cool on the touchline. Fernandez became the third player to foul Bellingham at 31 minutes after the midfielder evaded Simeone.
Continued Provocations and Near-Misses
At 33 minutes, Marc Guehi positioned himself ahead of Simeone, who led with his head during a tussle. Argentina right-back Nahuel Molina barged into Bellingham's back at 34 minutes. At 36 minutes, Lionel Messi weaved past Harry Kane and Gordon before Anderson crashed into him, earning the match's first yellow card. Messi aimed a slight kick at Djed Spence, which went unnoticed.
Kane covered his mouth to speak to the referee at 37 minutes as Anderson received his yellow card, leading Mac Allister and Paredes to plead for a red card—though covering one's mouth to talk to the referee is not a sending-off offense. Lisandro Martínez hauled back Rogers at 41 minutes, finally earning a booking. At 45+1 minutes, as James attempted a quick throw, someone from the Argentina bench hurled the old ball onto the pitch to waste time. Paredes left a high boot on Anderson just before halftime.
Second Half Escalation
At halftime, Messi and Fernandez surrounded the referee to complain, with Messi continuing as they headed down the tunnel. At 48 minutes, Bellingham closed down Messi at the byline, and as they tumbled off the pitch, Messi shoved the England midfielder into an advertising board. Cristian Romero was finally cautioned at 51 minutes for dragging Bellingham to the ground rugby-style to thwart a counter-attack.
Simeone swung an arm at 53 minutes, catching Spence flush in the face but escaping a card. At 58 minutes, as Pickford attempted to collect the ball, Romero remained upright rather than ducking, causing Pickford to go over him and hit the deck hard. After the hydration break at 73 minutes, Messi nibbled at Spence as he tried to take a throw. Following Fernandez's equaliser at 85 minutes, Romero celebrated by screaming directly in Pickford's face.
Late Game Antics and Celebrations
John Stones was forced to the ground with a head injury at 88 minutes, halting play as Argentina players surrounded the referee to complain again. At 90+2 minutes, Bellingham attempted to drive forward, but Gabriel Montiel got in his face to hurl abuse. With England trailing at 90+7 minutes, Emiliano Martinez clutched a high ball before going to ground to run down the clock, grinning throughout.
After full-time, Argentina's boisterous celebrations infuriated several England players. Dean Henderson shoved Lautaro Martinez, Rogers became embroiled with a cluster of players, and Bellingham slapped substitute Valentin Barco around the back of the head. During celebrations, Argentina players paraded a banner thrown by supporters bearing the message "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falkland Islands are Argentinian), which could land the Argentine Football Association in hot water with FIFA for violating rules against political messaging on the pitch.
