German players were leaping for joy after their victory over Argentina in a penalty shootout when Argentinian players vented their frustration by attacking them.

The Argentinian players were angry because German midfielder Tim Borowski had told them to be quiet after they had been jeering each time Germany converted a penalty.

After the shootout went Germany's way, Argentinian substitute Leandro Cufre ran up to German defender Per Mertesacker and kicked him, apparently confusing him with Borowski. Slovakian referee Lubos Michel showed Cufre the red card but that didn't stop the ensuing mass brawl in which German coach Jürgen Klinsmann and team manager Oliver Bierhoff became involved.

Bierhoff, who was kicked in the shin in the fracas, later told reporters: "I wanted to mediate and then they started going for me. It's very sad that a picture like that goes out into the world. The fans are celebrating peacefully together. The sportsmen should be fair too. I wanted to defend my players."