A young man sporting an Argentina football top was rescued by police from a huge crowd of England supporters after the Three Lions were knocked out of the World Cup.
The fan was surrounded by hundreds of England supporters close to Piccadilly Circus as tensions rose following Argentina’s victory over England in the semi-finals on Wednesday night.
Footage shared on social media shows dozens of Metropolitan Police officers at the scene trying to maintain order.
According to video circulating on social media, the apparent Argentina fan provokes a reaction by taunting a small group of fans on a side street close to Piccadilly Circus.
A liquid, possibly beer, is thrown at his back as he points to the emblem on his football top. Dozens more England fans swarm around him as the crowd begin to chant “w****r”.
Police rush to the scene and surround the young man, whose top has “Messi” emblazened on the back, as they escort him into a police van.
The fan is jeered by onlookers as officers bring him to the vehicle, with at least one object hurled in his direction.
🚨 WATCH: Police rescue an Argentina fan in London after he was surrounded by England fans pic.twitter.com/ukDjubWuEV
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Police are eventually able to clear a path through the crowd for the van to drive away, as dozens hold phones aloft to film the chaotic scene.
The Metropolitan Police often separate football fans from different teams as a precaution and no further incident was reported. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the fan or those pictured.
It was a night of agony for England fans in London as their hopes that the Three Lions could end 60 years of World Cup hurt were dashed.
Supporters of Thomas Tuchel’s side had been optimistic that they could beat the defending champions, despite their concern that captain Lionel Messi could get in the way.
The joyous mood after Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions ahead 10 minutes into the second half – after a goalless, cagey first 45 minutes – came crashing down as Enzo Fernandez equalised 85 minutes in.
It soured even further when Lautaro Martinez put Argentina in the lead in the 92nd minute.
Fans at Boxpark in Wembley were on their haunches, in tears, after the final whistle blew.
Luke and Vee Moore, twin brothers aged 33, went to the north London venue believing England had a “great chance of winning”, but were critical of Tuchel’s defensive substitutions.
Vee said: “We fumbled it. I’m feeling disappointed, this was a great chance to win the World Cup and this was a weak Argentina team.
“If we got out-classed, I’d be like, okay, cool. England did not play a better team today. We were too defensive after we went one nil up.”
Luke said: “I’m disappointed, I thought it was coming home. Me and my friends were screaming out ‘you’ve got to bring on subs and attack’. Go for the game, counter, bring Rashford, Madueke, Saka on earlier and kill off the game.
“Tuchel was too negative. Great manager, but this is all on him. I’d prefer a manager who is a bit more proactive and goes for the game, he’s a bit like Southgate in that he’s reactive not proactive. I’d prefer someone like Klopp or Guardiola to make the most of the players we have.”
Argentina will now face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Spain had already booked their place in the final after beating France 2-0 on Tuesday.
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