Valentín Barco might have been having too much fun.
For anyone wondering why Jude Bellingham slapped Barco on Wednesday after England’s loss to Argentina, there’s now a possible answer.
After Enzo Fernández’s equalizer in the 85th minute, several Argentina players ran around the pitch and celebrated the goal.
While Barco, who did not play in the match, was part of the celebration, he then decided to make a beeline for England’s players, running straight into their path before jumping and cheering in front of them, replays of the game showed.
It appeared that while many Argentine substitutes just wanted to take the moment in and celebrate, Barco seemingly wanted to rub it in England’s face.
Moments after England’s 2-1 loss to Argentina Wednesday, Bellingham approached Barco and two teammates who were linking arms. Bellingham then struck Barco around the back of the head, causing an angry response.
Barco quickly retaliated and tried pushing Bellingham away, but the England star kept having words with Argentina.
The spat continued to escalate with pushing and shoving before Argentina’s Nicolás Otamendi stepped in to push Bellingham out for good.
Bellingham letting his emotions get the best of him was just one moment that defined an ugly English collapse.
England led the match 1-0 after Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 55th minute, but was unable to pull away as its offense stagnated.
Just minutes after Fernández tied the game, Lautaro Martínez provided the game-winning goal in stoppage time.
Despite how it ended, 2026 was an impressive World Cup for Bellingham, who scored six goals on 17 shots in the tournament.
He scored two goals against Mexico in the Round of 16 before adding two more against Norway in a thrilling quarterfinals win.
