It was hardly the example that should be set for young football players but the photo captured within seconds of Argentina’s quarter-final win over The Netherlands, but it certainly typified the intense nature of the clash.
After Lautaro Martinez’s winner in the penalty shootout, most Argentina players mocked and taunted the Dutch, who were standing beside them on the halfway line.
Some Netherlands players fell to the ground, tears in their eyes as they buried their faces in the field, while their rivals gloated and took pleasure in seeing them lose.
Argentina star Nicolas Otamendi was seen putting his hands to his face as he celebrated.
The photo obviously enraged fans in the Netherlands, with the lack of class a sticking point among social media followers.
It also sparked reports in the UK, with several publications highlighting the team’s unsportsmanlike conduct and how it did the game of football no favours.
The Telegraph described the moment as “The picture that shames Argentina” while sections of the Latin media criticised the players’ actions.
The players claimed comments by Dutch coach Louis van Gaal in the lead up gave them an emotional charge, with Messi and goalkeeper Martinez slamming the rival coach.
As for van Gaal, it was his third stint as Dutch coach, and again it ended in tears.
“We failed to score the first two penalties so that’s when things become really hard and tough. It is a matter of being lucky, a lottery,” said Van Gaal.
The 71-year-old was also coach of the Netherlands when they were beaten on penalties by Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
“This is the second time we lost to Argentina this way. Two World Cups with the same coach for the Netherlands,” he said.
“I asked the players to train and to practise penalties, so I have nothing to reproach them for. To come back and equalise… to lose on penalties is unfortunate.”
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