Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has been branded ‘pathetic’ for a shameless attempt to try and get Harry Kane sent off in the World Cup semi-finals.
England and the South Americans played out a heated, attritional first half which saw 19 fouls and only three shots – the least of any game at the tournament.
Midfielder Elliot Anderson was repeatedly fouled and eventually bit back, earning himself a yellow card – and it’s here where Paredes launched his cynical scheme.
Harry Kane went over to the referee, Ismael Elfath, to discuss Anderson’s booking and briefly covered his mouth while he was speaking.
Paredes instantly started complaining to the official, signalling that Kane had covered his mouth.
A new FIFA rule means that players are not allowed to cover their mouths when talking to other stars – but this does not include referees.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes (second from right) tried to get Harry Kane sent off for covering his mouth
Paredes had been dirty himself throughout the first half and was fortunate not to be booked
Two players, Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie, have been sent off for the offence this World Cup, but Kane was not doing it to another footballer.
‘Pathetic,’ said Joe Hart of Paredes on BBC Sport at half-time. ‘He was talking to the referee. He was trying to be clear – it’s so difficult to communicate out there.
‘Harry Kane was just trying to have a personal conversation with the referee.
‘I get it, of course they’re going to do anything they can to win this game.’
Wayne Rooney added: ‘I think it’s ridiculous.’
The first half was cagey and a textbook ‘dark arts’ performance, particularly from Argentina, who committed 12 of the 19 fouls.
In a brutish opening to the game, Argentina stuck the boot in with several dirty challenges.
Jude Bellingham and Elliot Anderson repeatedly felt the wrath of Argentina’s midfield within the first few minutes – particularly from hatchet man Paredes, who was subbed mid-way into the second half.
At once juncture, it appeared as if Giuliano Simeone – Diego’s son – had tackled Marc Guehi with his head.
England gave as good as they got, though – Bellingham caught Alexis Mac Allister in one challenge, and Lionel Messi went down continuously to no avail.
It took 33 minutes for John Stones to finally have the first shot of the game – a limp header wide from a Declan Rice free-kick.
Unfortunately, Anderson was the first man to go in the book for clattering Messi – despite having been continually fouled himself.
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