Jude Bellingham was left furious after England’s dramatic World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, with newly released footage showing the midfielder confronting referee Ismail Elfath over decisions made during the match.
The Real Madrid midfielder approached the official immediately after the final whistle following England’s 2-1 loss, appearing determined to express his frustration over what he believed were several questionable calls during the heated encounter.
England Star Questions Refereeing Decisions After Argentina Clash
FIFA footage from the referee’s body camera showed Bellingham speaking directly to Elfath after the match.
The England midfielder could be heard saying: “Some shocking ones there, but all the best,” before walking away.
The comment reflected his disappointment after a physical semi-final in which Argentina committed 15 fouls while attempting to disrupt England’s rhythm and secure a place in the final against Spain.
Tensions Rose During Fierce Semi-Final Battle
The match had already carried extra emotional weight before kick-off due to Argentina’s repeated references throughout the tournament to the Falkland Islands, which increased the sense of rivalry between the two nations.
On the pitch, the contest quickly became aggressive, with Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernandez among the Argentina players accused by England supporters of pushing the boundaries with their challenges.
Despite the intensity, Argentina held on to reach the final before eventually losing 1-0 to Spain.
Bellingham Involved in Heated Post-Match Confrontation
Bellingham’s frustrations did not end with his exchange with the referee.
After the final whistle, tempers boiled over when the England midfielder became involved in an angry confrontation with Argentina defender Cristian Romero and substitute Valentin Barco.
Footage showed Romero appearing to provoke Bellingham during the aftermath of the defeat before the England star approached Barco and slapped him on the back of the head.
Barco reacted by pushing Bellingham, while veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi also stepped in and shoved the midfielder as emotions escalated.
Several Argentina players attempted to calm the situation, but Bellingham and Otamendi appeared unwilling to immediately back down.
Argentina Celebrations Spark Further Controversy
The controversy continued after Argentina’s celebrations following the tournament.
Players were seen holding a banner displaying the message: “The Malvinas [Falklands] are ours,” a politically sensitive statement referring to the disputed islands claimed by both Argentina and the United Kingdom.
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez and former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso were among those pictured with the banner.
Lionel Messi was also seen celebrating near the controversial display.
FIFA Reviews Argentina’s Actions
FIFA has reportedly begun examining potential disciplinary action over the banner incident, as well as Argentina’s conduct following their defeat to Spain in the final.
The post-match scenes added to criticism surrounding Argentina’s behaviour throughout the tournament, with several incidents involving their players attracting attention.
Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card during the final, while Paredes faced criticism after clashes involving Spain players Eric Garcia and Gavi.
Messi’s Reputation Takes a Hit Among UK Fans
The controversy surrounding Argentina’s performances and conduct has reportedly affected Lionel Messi’s popularity among British football supporters.
A YouGov survey showed a significant decline in how the Argentina captain is viewed in the UK.
Before the tournament, Messi was rated positively by 55% of respondents, while only 9% viewed him negatively.
Following the controversies, his positive rating dropped to 29%, while negative opinions rose to 44%.
His overall favourability score reportedly fell from +46 to -15.
Bellingham’s Tournament Legacy Despite Disappointment
Despite the semi-final disappointment, Bellingham enjoyed a standout World Cup campaign, scoring seven goals for England and becoming one of the team’s most influential players.
However, his emotional reaction after the Argentina defeat highlighted the frustration felt by England’s squad after falling just short of reaching the final.
While Messi continued to receive praise for his quality on the pitch, his involvement in the wider controversy surrounding Argentina’s conduct has sparked debate among fans and commentators.
With FIFA investigations ongoing, the fallout from the dramatic semi-final continues even after the final whistle has long passed.
