Jude Bellingham slapped Argentina substitute Valentin Barco on the back of the head after England's 2‑1 World Cup semi‑final defeat.

Barco, who did not play in the game, came on at full‑time and was hugging teammates when Bellingham walked over and slapped him. The incident sparked a small melee as players from both sides got involved before Bellingham walked away.

Argentina won with a stoppage‑time header by Lautaro Martinez after Enzo Fernandez’s 85th‑minute equaliser, ending England’s early second‑half lead from Anthony Gordon. The match in Atlanta featured 19 fouls and an American referee, Ismail Elfath, struggling to keep control.

Bellingham, who has scored six goals in the tournament, also confronted Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the fourth minute after Elliot Anderson had been fouled. He said, “We were really just discussing a foul, actually. It wasn’t anything bad… it was nothing.”