England fans arrested as fights break out after World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina

England fans arrested as fights break out after World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina Fights have been witnessed outside the stadium in Atlanta, New York City, and in Birmingham and London - some men were led away in handcuffs but the number of arrests is unclear Fights have broken out between England and Argentina fans after the Three Lions’ World Cup semi-final loss. Skirmishes were reported outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where the crunch match was played. Police made multiple arrests as they stepped in, in an attempt to calm the situation. Images captured after full-time show men in both England and Argentina shirts being led away by police in handcuffs. It is not clear how many people have been arrested in connection with the disorder, but initial reports suggest the trouble is isolated to a small number of supporters. There have also been reports of skirmishes in New York City, Birmingham, and London. England fans have been left heart broken after falling at another semi-final. Thomas Tuchel’s team took the lead when Anthony Gordon slotted home on the 55th minute, but failed to see out the victory. Argentina equalised through Enzo Fernandez’s long-range effort just five minutes from full-time, and they edged ahead thanks to Lautaro Martínez’s header in stoppage time. The two sides’ rivalry is one of the fiercest in international football. It dates back to 1966 when Argentina’s captain Antonio Rattín was sent off in a crucial Wembley quarter-final, and his team-mates threatened to walk off with him. Then, in 1986, Diego Maradona defeated England with the ‘goal of the century’ and the ‘hand of God’ in a fierce clash four years after the South American country invaded the Falkland Islands. The territorial dispute continues to this day. And in 1998, a tight game between the duo hinged on David Beckham ’s red card, before a valiant England lost on penalties. After Sunday night’s 2026 encounter, Argentina players held a flag aloft claiming the Falklands ‘are Argentinian’, a move which may prolong tensions between the two teams for years to come. Following the match, pundits, ex-players, and England fans criticised Thomas Tuchel’s tactical changes after the Three Lions took the lead. Speaking outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Jack Page, 31, from Dartford, said: “I think first half we stuck it to them, we were on them and I think we did all right to be fair. I think we matched them and we were the better team. “Second half, we looked a little bit ropey to start with, we got the goal, expected them to press on and we just sat back the whole game. “When that goal went in it was like we were a different team. “I’ve got to be honest, Tuchel’s substitutions to date have been spot on – after the goal, I don’t know, I don’t know about the tactics. I don’t know if he made the right choices. “It just wasn’t great – our whole mentality has been ‘he gets everything right and the players are with him’ – I’m just not sure the players were with what he was looking for them to do, I’m going to be honest. “A massive opportunity missed – they were there for the taking after that first half.” Luke and Vee Moore, twin brothers aged 33, went to Wembley Boxpark 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.”