Argentina booked their place in the World Cup final against Spain thanks to a dramatic 2-1 win over old rivals England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions ahead on 55 minutes in a pretty level contest, but then the game changed dramatically.
Rather than press home their advantage, England retreated and Argentina totally dominated the final half hour, eventually equalising on 85 minutes through Enzo Fernandez.
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As the game moved into stoppage time, Lionel Messi found substitute Lautaro Martinez with a cross from the right and the Inter forward headed past Jordan Pickford to secure a famous victory.
England’s star players of the tournament, Bellingham and Harry Kane, were quiet in the defeat and Rossi feels the Real Madrid superstar was affected early on.
Argentina’s midfield bruiser Leandro Paredes was typically physical throughout and hit Bellingham late in the opening stages, something that Rossi reckons left a mark on him mentally.
Leandro Paredes was typically physical in his battle with Bellingham (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Let’s remember this…many of you think I’m crazy for saying this but in my opinion it made a huge difference,’ Rossi wrote on X. ‘The first ball Bellingham touched, Paredes pushes him over very late after he releases the ball.
‘Right there is where Jude never came back to the game mentally….
‘The mind game worked and Jude was a non factor all game, worrying more about the off ball stuff rather than focused on his work. The game isn’t won only because you’re bigger and faster. At these levels especially, it’s a psychological battle and Argentina are masters at it.’
There were flashpoints between Paredes and Bellingham over the game (Picture: Getty Images)
Speaking after the defeat, Bellingham said: ‘I think we can take a lot from the experience, but it’s so gutting.
‘I wanted to be part of an England squad that’s finally done it, finally got it over the line.
‘To be here telling the fans unfortunately the same things that they’ve probably heard for years and years, it’s really gutting. I wish I could say more. I wish I could give one more win or two more wins.
‘But at the moment my head’s a bit fuzzy with disappointment so I’m sorry.’
Jude Bellingham slapped Argentina’s Valentin Barco after England’s defeat in Atlanta (Picture: Getty)
The defender, who was an unused substitute in the game, ran onto the pitch and wildly celebrated Fernandez’s equaliser in front of England players rather than with his teammates.
Valentin Barco ran onto the pitch to celebrate after Enzo Fernandez scored against England 👀 pic.twitter.com/gMYYZn7LxL
