| Reuters |
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| A scuffle between Germans and Argentines |
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The German players were celebrating near midfield Friday after beating Argentina 4-2 on penalties when the skirmish began.
Argentina reserve Leandro Cufre, who did not play, was arguing with midfielder Torsten Frings and reserve forward Gerald Asamoah. Referees intervened and Cufre was ejected. Other players from both teams gathered and began pushing and shoving each other.
In the scuffle, defender Per Mertesacker was "struck with full force in the leg," German assistant coach Oliver Bierhoff said. "He was on the ground, the players started going for each other."
That included several Argentina players who began yelling at Bierhoff. Defender Gabriel Heinze circled around the growing crowd, trying to get to Bierhoff, but team officials restrained him.
As referees tried to separate the players and move them off the field, Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez jumped into the crowd and hit Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger on the back of the shoulder. Order was finally restored after about two minutes.
Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann chalked it up to the tension of a 1-1 match and subsequent shootout.
"You should just simply forget about it afterward," he said.
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