The World Cup semifinal between Argentina and England was a heated affair throughout the 90 minutes. After the final whistle, Jude Bellingham caused a stir with a blow. Will this have consequences?
The first quarter-hour of the second World Cup semifinal was already intense. Argentina deliberately played a rough game against the English. But the Three Lions fought back on the field and gave the defending champions nothing for free. Right in the middle of the physical battles and verbal spats time and again: Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid captain didn’t shy away from clashing with Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, and even accused him of diving in one incident.
After halftime and England’s goal, the focus shifted back to the soccer. It wasn’t until stoppage time that emotions flared up briefly once more, before Bellingham himself caused a stir after the final whistle.
What exactly happened? Bellingham was standing alone and disappointed on the field when Argentina’s backup goalkeeper, Juan Musso, high-fived him and then turned toward a nearby group of celebrating players. Valentin Barco also joined that group.
Barco has apparently provoked him more than once
Video footage shows Barco running toward goal-scorer Lautaro Martinez and shouting something loudly in Bellingham’s general direction. Bellingham reacted immediately, took two steps, and then delivered a solid slap with the flat of his hand to the back of Barco’s head from behind.
Nico Paz immediately separated the two and tentatively shooed Barco away, before Argentina’s center back Nicolás Otamendi intervened forcefully and shoved Bellingham aside. Players from both teams stepped in and had to restrain the Real Madrid player in particular, who was still ranting at Barco.
According to consistent reports in the English media, Barco had already mocked and provoked the English team—led by their coach Thomas Tuchel—with his celebration immediately after Enzo Fernández’s equalizer.
Bellingham, whose slap is still under investigation by FIFA and is likely to result in consequences, declined to comment on the incident. Instead, in an interview, he expressed his disappointment at the elimination: “This is so devastating. I wanted to be part of the English squad that finally makes it, that finally crosses the finish line. I’m sorry. The more beautiful the journey, the more heartbreaking the ending.”
