Cristian Romero's Unforgettable Celebration in Salah's Face Reveals Argentina's Most Unlikable World Cup Player!

IT SHOULD come as no surprise that, once again, Argentina are at the heart of another World Cup controversy.

After all, they are the great pantomime villains of the game, the masters of the dark arts who have been boiling the urine of fans around the globe for half a century.

Cristian Romero celebrated Argentina’s comeback win over Egypt Credit: Reuters The defender scored in the match Credit: Getty

Let’s be clear, though. Their dramatic comeback win over wasn’t fixed, despite the protests of the vanquished Pharaohs.

It was incompetence — how no players were booked is mind-boggling — rather than anything malicious.

You can see what the motivation would be for skulduggery, as keeping around for as long as possible is great for business.

But it is still a huge leap to suggest there is any sort of conspiracy, and I’m not buying it.

It’s not unreasonable, however, to argue Argentina have been getting away with murder at the last couple of World Cups.

It makes them impossible to warm to, and as joyful as it is to watch Messi in full flow, the rest of the side don’t half rub me up the wrong way.

Emi Martinez was chief baddie in 2022 with all of his antics between the sticks, but it’s hard to think of a more unlikeable player than .

He looks likely to move away from Tottenham this summer, so even their fans must finally admit the bloke is a complete and utter clown.

How many times has he got his club into deep trouble over the years with his total lack of discipline?

Not to mention being forced to return from Argentina to watch their relegation decider on the final day of the season.

And he showed his lack of class against Egypt when celebrating wildly right in front of Mo Salah’s face when Argentina scored their winner.

What a wrong ’un.

Argentina have made plenty of enemies on the world stage over the decades and they can now add Egypt to that list.

Bar , they have been the greatest thorn in England’s side at the World Cup, with the Hand of God and David Beckham’s red card, when dropped to the ground like a sack of spuds.

But we aren’t the only ones who have been on the receiving end of some Argentinian black magic.

The first great row came at the World Cup they hosted — and eventually won — in 1978 when they needed to beat by four goals to knock out .

Mohamed Salah helped Egypt make history at the World Cup Credit: Getty

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They strolled to a surprising 6-0 win amid allegations of political interference and match-fixing.

It was even alleged in 1990 that one of their physios handed Brazil left-back Branco a water bottle spiked with a tranquiliser during a break in play.

Argentina went on to score a late winner and beat their great South American rivals 1-0.

, whether he was doing it tongue in cheek we’ll never know, said that the so-called Holy Water scandal was true during a TV appearance in 2005.

And the quarter-final against four years ago was peak Argentinian s***housery, when 18 cards were dished out before the South Americans eventually went through on penalties.

Of course, this was the match when Messi committed the most blatant deliberate handball you’ll ever see, yet he wasn’t booked.

It was here the conspiracy theories about pro-Messi and Argentina treatment really gained legs.

As much as you can have a grudging respect for them, Argentinian success, when they do it the dirty way, is difficult to stomach.

Emiliano Martinez was the pantomime villain in 2022 Credit: Reuters

Which is why I’m desperate for to beat tomorrow to set up a potential head-to-head with them in the semi-final in Atlanta next week.

We banished one demon with our heroic win in the Azteca earlier this week.

But if this is to be the year we end 60 years of hurt, how fitting would it be to exorcise the ghost of Argentina on our way?

Bring them on, I say.

BURNING DESIRE

THERE were heroes all over the pitch against Mexico the other night.

But let’s devote a little bit of time to big , whose 30-minute cameo in our defence was a joy to behold.

Dan Burn impressed in the win over Mexico Credit: Splash He put in a brave performance with his defensive contribution Credit: EPA

Have you ever seen anyone head a as prodigiously as that?

Watching him stick his noggin in the way of a Mexican overhead kick and the ball fly off into the stratosphere was a thing of beauty.

If that ends up being his only contribution at this World Cup, it was one that will live long in the memory.

PHONEY WAR IN STANDS

IT’S by no means a phenomenon unique to this World Cup — in fact, it is something that’s crept in over a number of years.

But whenever you see shots of the crowd in these huge American stadiums, many fans are filming the action on their phones rather than watching with their eyes.

Lots of fans have been filming the action on their phones Credit: Reuters

It’s a sad indictment of where we are as a race now.

You are in a privileged position — at a World Cup match — and all you can think about is getting a few likes on social media?

Why are so many people incapable of living in the moment?

GEE-GEE UP BOOST TO REECE

MAYBE a winner at the races will be just the boost Reece James needs to get back in time for the Norway game.

The right-back part-owns the racehorse Scommessa Sicura — and she impressively came first in a £40,000 race at Newmarket yesterday.

Reece James has missed the last three World Cup gams Credit: Getty His horse Scommessa Sicura came first at Newmarket Credit: PA

James has had shares in horses in the past but this one looks like she has a bright future and could take him to some big days.

once said the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man. Hopefully that includes hamstrings too.