Lionel Messi involved in angry exchange before interview

Lionel Messi was involved in an angry exchange with an unknown member of the Netherlands camp just moments before being interviewed after his side’s thrilling victory in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Following a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time, Argentina eventually prevailed on penalties to lead to scenes of wild celebration both on and off the pitch. Throughout the encounter tensions had flared between the two sides, however, and the two sets of players and staff members had physical altercations on a number of occasions.

After the match, just before speaking to a reporter from TyC Sports, Messi was filmed furiously staring at somebody. He then says in Spanish: “What are you looking at? Go ahead, stupid.” The reporter tells him “Calm down, Leo”, before the interview can finally get underway.

Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz did not appear to have control throughout the encounter, and dished out an extraordinary total of 16 yellow cards and one red, with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries being sent off after the final whistle. 

Even Messi, who is so often a calm voice amongst the chaos, took aim at Lahoz for his display after the encounter. “FIFA can’t put these referees in a match like this. He’s not up to par.” Messi said. He also discussed the semi-final clash coming up against Croatia, adding: “Croatia have shown that they are a great team. Sometimes they have played on an equal footing with Brazil.

“It is a team that has worked with the same coach for a long time and they know each other very well . We are progressing little by little. We are very happy.”

Referee Lahoz was blasted by players and pundits far and wide. BBC host Gary Lineker tweeted: “13 yellow cards. This referee has always loved to be the centre of attention. Makes Mike Dean seem shy.”

And Sergio Aguero also got involved, saying: “How this referee likes to be the centre of attention, my God.”

Argentina had looked like they were cruising into the last four after a first-half Nahuel Molina strike and a second-half Messi penalty put them 2-0 up.

But the Dutch pulled one back through ex-Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, and then that same man scored an incredible equaliser in the 110th minute to take it to extra time. There was to be no breakthrough, however, and after the Netherlands missed their first two penalties Laurato Martinez was the hero for Argentina as he scored their fifth to secure the win.