Messi's silent nod at Bellingham became a meme after Argentina's 2-1 comeback win. The team also faces a FIFA probe over a Falklands banner.
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Lionel Messi's silent nod at Jude Bellingham has become a viral meme after Argentina's 2-1 win over England in the World Cup semi-final. The moment came late in the match, with England leading 1-0. Bellingham had trash-talked Messi after a physical clash. Instead of reacting, Messi stayed stone-faced, raised his eyebrows, and nodded. Fans on social media compared the expression to a Robert De Niro film look. They paired it with captions about quiet confidence and keeping receipts.
Argentina completed a dramatic comeback. Messi delivered two assists in the final minutes. Enzo Fernandez equalised in the 85th minute. Lautaro Martinez scored a stoppage-time winner in the 92nd minute. The match was physical from the start. The first half produced 19 combined fouls. After England's Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 55th minute, manager Thomas Tuchel made defensive changes that drew criticism. England gave up 88% possession over the final 37 minutes and did not register a shot after the 78th minute.
After the final whistle, Argentine players Lisandro Martinez and Giovani Lo Celso unveiled a political banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," referring to the 1982 Falklands War. The UK government condemned the stunt. FIFA opened a disciplinary investigation. Separately, Bellingham confronted Argentina's bench and slapped substitute Valentin Barco on the head, sparking a brief clash. Argentina now faces Spain in the final. England will play France in the third-place playoff. The report was by Sounak Mukhopadhyay on LiveMint.
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