England star slaps rival after World Cup exit as Argentina face huge fine

• LISTEN LIVE to the World Cup
• SYNC our World Cup commentary to your TV
• England 1-2 Argentina FT

World Cup daily news. We will bring you the latest from around the world as the FIFA World Cup 2026™ finally gets under way (All times AEST).

BELLINGHAM SLAPS ARGENTINA STAR

Trying to get some context around this - could well be that simply they lost - but on the final whistle vision has emerged of Jude Bellingham going up to Valentin Barco and slapping him, quite hard - around the back of the head.

That will help keep things post match good and calm, eh?

As Argentina celebrated reaching the World Cup final, the Real Madrid star appeared to strike the Strasbourg defender before things turned really ugly and Morgan Rogers had to be separated from the group.

Barco was an unused sub for Argentina and there appears little context around the slap for now.

"I think the better team won," Alan Shearer said on the BBC. "You have got to be open and honest about it. Their reaction was brilliant, they hit the post a few times and England got lucky. How they didn't panic, how they stuck to their game plan, how they believed in what they were doing, and they did it.

"The substitutions worked for them and you have to respect the way they came back into the game. They deserve to be in the final on Sunday as much as it hurts to say that."

Image source: SBS

ARGENTINA FACE FINE

They weren't classy in their victory and now Argentina face a whopper fine from FIFA after placers unfurled a “The Malvinas are Argentine” banner.

Spurs captain Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso were seen holding the banner after the final sire which saw Argentina secure a final berth.

Under FIFA regulations, political, religious or personal slogans are banned.

Argentina have previously been fined almost $50,000 for the same act - back in 2014.

FULL-TIME ENGLAND HEARTBREAK

England have gifted Argentina a spot in the World Cup final. They sat back way too much after opening the scoring and credit to the defending champions, they deserved it today.

Can't say that about their entire tournament but, similar to France not turning up against Spain yesterday, England sat back and let their World Cup end.

Sixty years of hurt will become at least 64, no memories of 1986 have been banished but hey, at least there was not red card.

"England have just not had a response physically," Shearer tells the BBC. "You can understand it after what they have gone through in the last two games, the work that they have put in."

England will play France in the utterly pointless third-place play off and the 2026 World Cup final will be Spain v Argentina on Monday at 5am AEST.

Wayne Rooney said the result was just disappointing.

"We got ourselves in such a good position, and then we didn't know what to do. We sat back, we allowed them to come onto us," he told the BBC after the final whistle.

"They were creating a number of chances, then we cracked. Really disappointed."

Yet again, Football is not coming home.

The pain of being an England fan, ARGENTINA SCORE

Argentina have scored at the death. Well that will just about do it won't it.

England have given up marking their man?

This is the most England of Englanding. They sat back, they didn't even park the bus, they just sat back and gifted Argentina a way back into this.

Nine minutes of added time.

Only winners so far are Spain who will be watching this and planning their World Cup victory parade.

ARGENTINA SCORE

And this is what happens when you sit back and just wait. It's a sublime goal and it's exactly what has been building.

A strike form distance, you won't be surprised to hear Enzo Fernandez is completely unmarked.

Nothing Pickford can do about that. As much as it pains me to say it, Argentina deserve that.

ENGLAND SUBS

Thank god, fresh legs O'Reilly and Burn on for James and Rice. We are at the 82 minute mark.

England, please don't England this (IYKYK)

NOT OKAY

This is terrific from Argentina, England are sitting back. if it weren't for Pickford this would be an entirely different story.

Alexis Mac Allister's header comes off the woodwork.

Sloppy from the Three Lions they have totally dropped off since scoring.

And another attempt from Gonzalez. England need fresh legs or something to wake them up.

"The important thing for England is that they need an outlet," Shearer tells the BBC. "Get Kane or Bellingham up there. They can't just sit and soak up pressure. Unless that happens they will be pinned back and the ball will just keep coming."

My heart rate is going bonkers.

OFF THE LINE!

Jordan Pickford YOU HERO. Point blank range and he saves it on the line.

England need to keep up the counter, they're letting Argentina have far too much time on the ball in this and my heart rate can't take another 25 minutes of bus parking.

"These are the type of saves that win you tournament," Mark Bosnich says on SEN's World Cup call. God I hope he's right.

Hydration break. I need a tea.

Konsa is on for Gordon who has had a banger of a game. A triple change coming for Argentina, youth and speed clearly their strategy. Tuchel needs to be smarts with his changes.

ENGLAND HAVE SCORED!!!!!

Deadlock broken! A goal so important even Victoria Beckham is celebrating (check why she went viral against Norway). Anthony Gordon the hero for the Three Lions and it was a great set up goal.

Morgan Rogers cross was perfect and Gordon beat his defender to net into the corner past Emi Martinez.

Calm heads lads, this will only make things more spicy.

Straight down the other end and Spence has just made the best tackle of his life. Simeone was on a run and clear to shoot on goal. Full speed Spence comes in and IT IS A PERFECT tackle in the penalty area. I think my heart just stopped.

"Just watch Spence's reaction," Alan Shearer said on BBC. "That is just as important as what just happened at the other end. What a game he is having."

England's goal has fired up Argentina, this is dangerous territory.

SECOND-HALF

A feisty start to the second half, Cristian Romero into the book on a yellow for what can only be described as a powerful bear hug on Jude Bellingham. Ludicrous.

And he was responsible for a a very near clanger in the 30-yard box just moments earlier. Some fancy footwork got him out of some very real blushes.

This ain't gonna be pretty at all.

HALF-TIME, REF CRITICISED

An enormously provocative half from Argentina and England have to level their heads in the break. Don't fall for this, they do it every time. Remember, England-Argentina is literally the reason FIFA invented the red an d yellow card system.

Sixty years ago when Antonio Rattin was sent off for Argentina against England, he refused to leave the pitch. He demanded an interpreter come on and explain to him what the ref was saying.

He was escorted off by FIFA officials.

It was such a fiery 1-0 win that England manager Sir Alf Ramsey banned his players from exchanging shirts afterwards.

Red and yellow cards were introduced at the 1970 World Cup because of that match.

In the half we just witnessed whihc was more - slice-legs-up-ball as opposed to football - there were 19 fouls combined; England 7-12 Argentina.

Average fouls is 24.3 per game across the tournament.

One man not happy with the referee (besides the two coaches) is former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

"That's one of the worst refereeing performances I've seen at this World Cup," he told the BBC. "He didn't get a grip of the game from the start.

"He's let so much go and the two coaches are not happy either. England have had to stick in this game because it has been tough. They have been kicked off the park at times. There's a clear game plan.

"There's been no real flow to the game."

Feels a bit harsh, I think he's done a good job given the task at hand.

Half-hour mark

Bellingham being well marked by Argentina but on the occasion he can make a break they don't know what to do and it's resulted in a number of handy free-kicks.

And Declan Rice curled that one in nicely for John Stones and it was half a chance that! First real threat of the match I'd say at either end.

Terrific work from Spence on the left side as Argentina fail to clear the ball and another free-kick is conceded. Sloppy in defending and great persistence from England at this stage.

Straight down the other end and Elliot Anderson needs to be careful, he's lucky he's not already been booked and after 37 minutes we have the first card of the match is shown and it's yellow.

It's a big weakness now for England.

Lisandro Martinez also now in the book and rightly so, acting like he did nothing. Pulling Morgan Rogers back by the shirt like his life depended on it. Of course it's a card.

IT'S HEATED

The least surprising update I could bring you but, not sooner has Elliot Anderson pulled Lionel Messi to the ground the England star has been absolutely floored by Enzo Fernandez.

Any other match I think we would have been seeing cards by now, it's going to be a massive match of officiating for Ismail Elfath and his team.

Jude Bellingham also a clear target for the Argentine players. Foul after foul at the moment.

Red cards are almost a tradition between England and Argentina. It won't surprise you to know the side that has been issued the red has always lost. Banish the memory of 1998.

Micah Richards has summed the game u p perfectly on the BBC: "There’s not too much happening tactically so far, it’s more of a battle.

"Anthony Gordon has found space at times, but he just needs to stay calm when he gets on the ball. The game will gradually open up, though – and England just need to be patient."

Patience lads, don't fall for the Argentina wind ups.

LIVE

Underway in Atlanta and it's at this point I should inform you this is being written by an Englishwoman, it will be a little one-side. Three changes for England as Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa and Noni Madueke are dropped for Djed Spence, Reece James and Morgan Rogers. Spence was enormous against Norway.

The big news is Kane plays his 121st England match - the most of any outfield player in history. Only Peter Shilton is ahead on 125.

It's Argentina not just Messi.

We are about to kick off, here's what Tuchel and Kane have said about their opponents.

“He (Messi) finds spaces, he finds moments and the big thing is the whole team buys into that idea," Tucjel said.

“We must be brave around him and just stop the support.

“He’s a different player from Erling Haaland but we did well against Erling, so we’ll find a way now.”

As for Kane, Argentina are about more than just one man.

“He’s been one of, if not the best, player in the world for almost 20 years. “Everyone knows how dangerous it can be.

“But we play Argentina — not against Messi. We come up against a great unit, a great team with fantastic players.

“As much as it will be built up around Messi and the big players, we know it’s more than that. “It’s crazy how long he has played at the top of his game and never faced England.

“What an occasion — the world champions in a semi-final. I think back to being a kid and having dreams of playing in these games.

“This is as big as it gets. So I’m really excited. And, yes, what a tough team to play against.”

KANE SLAME MEDIA

England captain Harry Kane has hit out at broadcasters and media for trying to create tensions and rifts within the squad following his side's victory over Norway in the quarter-finals.

After securing a semi-final showdown against Argentina, Thomas Tuchel said he was disappointed by his side's performance and they were lacking in all areas.

His negative stance and criticism of his side were in stark contrast to Jude Bellingham's assessment of the match.

Asked about Tuchel's suggestion England were "lucky" to reach the final four, Bellingham said" “Whatever. It’s difficult out there, it’s a tough shift. My thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who are out there, putting in a great shift out there."

Bellingham later told Sky Sports: “Maybe he (Tuchel) doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions against Erling Haaland, Odegaard, Nusa, Sorloth... They’re not an easy team to play against.”

Kane told the BBC that the the line of questioning and squaring off of player and manager was unfair on all parties.

“When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he Bellingham) didn’t really know what the manager has said, what do you want Jude to say?

“We had just been through a battle. It was really tough out there.

“It is easy to try and create this division – it seems like an English mentality, an English thing to do at these major tournaments.

“But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our togetherness – not just the players, the coach and the staff.

“Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.”

England play Argentina at 5am AEST Thursday morning for a place in the final against Spain.

HALF-TIME FARCE

World Cup fans with a ticket to the final have been told to arrive four hours before kick-off amid speculation the event will have plenty of surprises in store.

Broadcasters and players plus coaches are bracing for chaos amid speculation FIFA has a 30-minute half-time show planned - double the regular interval length.

The rules of the game stipulate that the break cannot exceed 15 minutes but FIFA has already broken this at the Club World Cup last year.

Justin Bieber, Shakira, Madonna, BTS, Burna Boy and Gustavo Dudamel are among the names set to headline the show which is being directed by Chris Martin of Coldplay.

Robbie Williams will also be involved in a 90 minute pre-match closing ceremony along with Tom Cruise.

Taking everything into account, the entire match could go more than three hours if penalties is how things are decided.

OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AGAINST INFANTINO

A complaint over political neutrality regulations being breached by Gianni Infantino and FIFA at the World Cup has been officially submitted to the International Olympic Committee, according to reports.

The UK Times claims that Human rights Campaign Group Fairsquare has called on the IOC to investigate Infantino and the Folarin Balogun red card scandal that erupted in the knock out stages of the tournament.

Infantino is an IOC member.

There was fury from around the globe after Balogun’s red card ban was suspended following a series of phone calls from the White House and Donald Trump calling for a review.

The one-match ban was subsequently delayed and the USA star was given the green light to play against Belgium in the round of 16.

The latest breach allegation claim: “Gianni Infantino has repeatedly breached the IOC’s rules on political neutrality by offering his political support for the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

“The evidence suggests that Mr Infantino has committed five clear breaches of IOC rules on political neutrality through statements or other clear expressions of support for the US President.”

Balogun has also broken his silence on the furore saying he knew the saga that it would create.

“My initial reaction was I was happy to be back in the team,” Balogun said on CBS. “But when I started to reflect I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see with my team-mates a bit of nerves because it was something that was so unique.

“The closer we got to the (Belgium) game I just tried to focus as best I could — but it was difficult, there was a lot of outside noise and that’s difficult to avoid.

“I was in shock, it wasn’t even a tackle. I just had to accept the decision and just be there for my team. For sure, when something is not intentional it should never be a red card, it was just an unfortunate situation.”