Virgil van Dijk flattens Argentina star as players scrap in huge World Cup melee

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    Tensions boiled over in the final moments of Argentina's World Cup quarter-final with the Netherlands after a poor challenge from Leandro Paredes lead to Virgil van Dijk flattening an Argentine player.

    Paredes had delivered a poor challenge to Frenkie de Jong, before he sprung up and scythed down Nathan Ake. The Dutch bench were less than happy with the challenge, and they jumped off the bench in protest to the referee.

    However, Parades responded to the protest by blasting the ball in the direction of the substitutes – causing an on-pitch melee. The entire Dutch bench was involved alongside almost every player on the pitch as tensions boiled over.

    READ MORE: Argentina vs Netherlands World Cup clash delayed as security halt pitch invader

    Virgil van Dijk was seen shoving over one Argentine player, while another Dutch substitute could be seen squaring up to Parades almost immediately after the incident.

    Referee, Antonio Mateu Lahoz struggled to regain control of the proceedings as cameras cut to Alexis MacAllister laughing at another Dutch substitute. Parades and Van Dijk were the only two to be cautioned after the melee.

    However, fans were fuming at Lahoz, as they counted three yellow card offences from Parades.

    Do you think Leandro Paredes should have been sent off? Let us know in the comments section

    One fan fumed: "That's a red card for Paredes. One for the challenge, and one for booting the ball at the Dutch players. The referee has been horrific."

    "How on Earth has Paredes stayed on the pitch there," a second questioned. While a third tweeted: "Paredes should be off. That’s a yellow card challenge and then a yellow card for booting the ball into the bench. Why is he still on?"

    And a fourth added: "Should be a red for Paredes, no doubt. First for the tackle, second for the strike against the bench."

    Despite Argentina's best efforts, on-loan Burnley star Wout Weghorst hauled the Dutch back into the game – levelling with almost the final kick of the game.

    And after Weghorst's strike, tensions boiled over once more as the two sides headed into time. Substitutes clashed again after the full-time whistle, with some players playing peacemaker to try and break apart the ill-tempered affair.

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    • World Cup
    • Virgil van Dijk

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