Tempers flared during Argentina’s win over Uruguay in a World Cup qualification match and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero was at the centre of it.
Romero, started alongside Nicolas Otamendi was the World Champions - without Lionel Messi - secured a hard fought 1-0 victory in Montevideo thanks to Thiago Almada’s second half goal.
The result keeps Argentina six points clear of second-placed Ecuador at the top of the qualification group, as they prepare to face Brazil next week.
Nicolas Gonzalez will miss the game through suspension after he was sent-off during the closes stages after catching Nahitan Nandez in the face with a high boot.
Though, that was not the only flashpoint of the fixture. Four minutes before half-time, the Uruguay players took exception with Romero’s challenge on Darwin Nunez that left the Liverpool striker on the floor.
This prompted Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Nunez’s club teammate Alexis Mac Allister to rush to Romero’s defence, with the latter pushing Mathias Olivera away as the situation began to heat up.
Ultimately, none of the players involved were punished as Nunez quickly got back to his feet and defused the situation by holding Mac Allister back before briefly embracing Romero.
Speaking after the match, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni believes the result proved they have enough strength in depth.
“The national team is a team. When one is missing, another steps up," he told reporters.
"We had some very important absentees but we have great players to go out on the field. The team is always more than just the names."
