Argentina accused of 'blatant cheating' at the World Cup and face 'retrospective punishment'

Argentina have been widely slammed for their style of play at the World Cup after their 1-0 defeat against Spain in the final.

Lionel Scaloni's side were characterised by their aggressive and assertive style, imposing themselved on their opposition to unsettle and unnerve them from the first minute.

It was evident during their semi-final win against England that their aggression would, at times, go too far, and then tempers boiled over at the full-time whistle in the final.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Argentina players are rightfully being criticised in the wake of their defeat against Spain.

Footage from after the full-time whistle showed multiple Argentina players in altercations with the celebrating Spaniards, with pushes and even punches being thrown.

This came following a tournament during which Lionel Messi and his teammates were subject to some favourable and questionable refereeing decisions.

Could Argentina be punished for their World Cup antics?

Former FIFA official Keith Hackett told Football Insider on 16 July that Argentina could face strong punishments after the tournament, particularly for their political messaging.

After the England game, players displayed a banner which read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", or in English, "The Malvinas are Argentine."

However, they are now likely to face further punishments for their outbursts against Spain, while questions continue to be asked about "cheating" throughout the tournament.

"Argentina were a disgrace throughout the tournament, they were embarassing," Brown told Football Insider.

"At times it was just blatant cheating, they're throwing themselves to the floor, rolling around, surrounding the referee, begging for red cards, all while flying into challenges.

"They're aggressive, Argentina, that's the way they play and it doesn't look like that's going to change at any point.

"But at some stage, when they're always leaving little digs in on players, kicking out, all of that type of thing, it's up to the officials to step in and stamp out those issues.

"The main problem during this World Cup is that the officials have let them get away with things, they haven't been harsh enough and they've let it carry on.

"Then it all boils over after the match, you've got players grabbing hold of the Spanish players, pushing them, punching them, it's ridiculous and it's embarrassing.

"I would be very surprised if something wasn't done about it, after the World Cup, be it retroacitve punishments or big fines, because they have got to show that it is not acceptable."

Which decisions went in favour of Argentina at the World Cup?

Argentina were on the positive end of a number of controversial decisions at the World Cup, with key flash points often favourting the 2022 winners rather than their opponents.

After the final, Hackett told Football Insider that Nico Williams' disallowed goal for Spain should have stood, with the final decision harsh on the eventual winners.

Meanwhile, Egypt had a goal ruled out during their 3-2 defeat in the quarter final for a foul which many inisted was soft and came too long before the goal was scored.

Argentina star Enzo Fernandez also avoided punishment for a late challenge on England's Elliot Anderson in which he appeared to land a blow to his head.

These incidents, just a few of a selection during the World Cup, have highlighted serious concerns about Argentina's conduct and the officials' decision-making.