Tensions erupted on the streets of both Atlanta and Britain shortly after England’s narrow semi-final loss to Argentina on Wednesday night.
In the aftermath outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, fights ensued following the decisive 2-1 defeat of the Three Lions at the hands of Lionel Messi’s team.
Authorities intervened to restore order, leading to several England supporters being taken into custody by armed officers, as captured in striking photographs.
Meanwhile, chaos spilled into central London where fans swarmed the streets, climbing atop telephone booths and confronting individual Argentina supporters.
Incidents flared up during the match itself after Argentina seized a banner from fans, which controversially claimed the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory.
The Falklands conflict had loomed large in the build-up to the semi-final tie, with rival chants about the war featuring in fan zones around the city.
After the match was over, tens of thousands of fans flooded out of the stadium to the surrounding streets, with some disputes boiling over into violence.
England fans branded the behaviour of Argentina’s supporters ‘absolutely disgusting’ and warned that things will ‘kick off, 100 per cent’.
Police officers intervene and speak to fans in Atlanta as they try to keep the peace following Argentina’s semi-final victory
A fan in an England shirt is arrested by armed police following clashes after the Three Lions’ semi-final loss to Argentina
Police officers detain an Argentina fan outside the Atlanta Stadium as tensions flared on the streets of the city
Fans are arrested in Atlanta by armed police looking to separate the two sides
A police officer breaks up an argument between Argentina and England fans outside the Atlanta stadium
US police stand guard in Atlanta as Argentina fans gather at the fan festival to celebrate
The Atlanta Police Department deployed extra resources around the city, with officers lining the streets outside bars near the stadium after the crunch clash.
Argentina and England fans outside bars near the stadium exchanged words – much of it Falklands-related.
American police officers with large guns were seen placing both England and Argentina fans in handcuffs.
One England fan told the Daily Mail: ‘Obviously [we] were upset about the game, walking out the stadium, minding our own business.
‘Some guy, Argentina fan, comes up waving his flag, shoves it in our face, winding us up. You know obviously someone’s going to retaliate, right? But luckily we didn’t retaliate but there’s a lot of animosity.
‘When Argentina scored, an Argentinian guy next to me took his shirt off, waving it, slapping it in my face, absolutely disgusting.
‘Disgusting behaviour from the Argentinian fans, absolutely disgusting.
‘Tonight there’s not enough cops to police all of this. I’m telling you right now it’s going to kick off later in bars and stuff for sure, 100 per cent.’
Police in London escort an Argentinian fan away from England supporters following the final whistle
England fans gather in London to commiserate after their side’s semi-final loss
A police officer attempts to prevent a fan scaling a traffic light near Leicester Square, central London
In Bournemouth, police were seen speaking with England fans as they poured out of pubs after the game
A line of police officers keeps fans contained following England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina
US police continue to arrest fans in Atlanta after the end of the semi-final tie
An Argentina fan is escorted by police to a waiting car after being handcuffed in Atlanta, Georgia
Back in the UK, police forces are also bracing for possible unrest between rival groups of fans.
In London, police were seen attempting to separate rival groups of fans to prevent fights breaking out.
Thousands flocked into the streets of the city centre from nearby pubs and bars, with video footage showing carnage at famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus.
Officers had to step in and rescue one Argentina fan from the area after he was mobbed by British supporters.
Some England fans were seen climbing on phone boxes and traffic lights, with officers intervening to separate rival groups.
Earlier, an initially gutsy performance from the Three Lions saw Anthony Gordon put the side one ahead at 55 minutes, but substitutions to send England into a defensive set-up would heartbreakingly backfire.
England were just less than six minutes away from their first World Cup final for 60 years when Enzo Fernandez scored the equaliser that denied them.
This was followed two minutes into injury time by a header from Lautaro Martinez, who secured Argentina’s place in Sunday night’s final against Spain in New York.
It was England’s fourth-ever appearance in the final four of a World Cup, making this the most high-stakes match since 1966.
But in an all too familiar outcome, supporters’ hopes were dashed once again.