Aggro on the streets of Atlanta: Armed police arrest England and Argentina fans as supporters spill out of stadium following Three Lions’ loss

Clashes broke out in the streets of Atlanta following England’s semi-final defeat against Argentina on Saturday night.

A fight broke out outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, after the final whistle of the Three Lions’ 2-1 loss to Lionel Messi.

Police intervened to calm the situation and made a number of arrests, with images showing scores of England fans being detained by armed officers.

Tensions increased at the stadium after Argentina took away a fan banner claiming that the Falkland Islands belonged to the South American country.

The Falklands conflict loomed large in the run-up to the semi-final tie, with rival war-related chants taking place in fan zones across the city.

After the match ended, tens of thousands of fans left the stadium and flocked to the surrounding streets, some arguments turning into violence.

England fans described the behavior of Argentina fans as ‘absolutely disgusting’ and warned that events would ‘100 per cent begin’.

Police officers detained an England fan outside Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

An England fan was arrested by armed police following a clash following the Three Lions’ semi-final defeat to Argentina.

Police officers detained an Argentina fan outside Atlanta Stadium as tensions flared on the city’s streets

Fans arrested by armed police trying to separate the two sides in Atlanta

A police officer broke up a fight between Argentina and England fans outside the Atlanta stadium

US police stand guard in Atlanta as Argentinian fans gather at fan festival to celebrate

The Atlanta Police Department sent extra resources around the city, with officers lining the streets outside bars near the stadium following the shooting.

Argentina and England fans outside bars near the stadium exchanged words, many of them regarding the Falklands.

Largely armed American police officers were seen handcuffing both England and Argentina fans.

One fan from England told the Daily Mail: ‘Honestly [we] We were upset about the match, leaving the stadium and minding our own business.

‘A man supporting Argentina came waving his flag, pushed it in our faces and shook us. You clearly know someone is going to retaliate, right? Fortunately we did not retaliate, but there is a lot of hostility.

‘When Argentina scored a goal, an Argentinian guy next to me took off his shirt, shook it, slapped me in the face, it was absolutely disgusting.

‘The disgusting behavior of the Argentina fans is absolutely disgusting.

‘There aren’t enough police to police all this tonight. I’m telling you right now, it’s going to start later in bars and stuff, 100 percent for sure.’

Police in London pulled an Argentinian fan away from England fans after the final whistle

England fans gather in London to condole after their team’s semi-final defeat

A police officer tries to stop a fan from entering a traffic light near Leicester Square in central London

In Bournemouth, police were seen talking to English fans who filled the bars after the match.

A number of police officers took control of fans following England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina

Police forces in the UK are also preparing for possible unrest between rival fan groups.

In London, police were seen trying to separate rival fan groups to prevent fights.

Video footage was also seen showing the carnage at famous landmarks such as Piccadilly Circus, as thousands of people poured into the streets of the city center from nearby pubs and bars.

It was reported that the police had to intervene and rescue an Argentinian fan who was attacked by English fans from the area.

A brave early performance from the Three Lions allowed Anthony Gordon to put the team ahead in the 55th minute, but substitutions made to force England into defensive formation would backfire in heartbreaking fashion.

With the equalizer goal scored by Enzo Fernandez, England were less than six minutes away from reaching the World Cup final for the first time in 60 years.

This was followed two minutes after the end of extra time by Lautaro Martinez’s header, which secured Argentina’s place in Sunday night’s final against Spain in New York.

This was England’s fourth appearance in the final four at a World Cup, making it the highest-stakes match since 1966.

However, the fans’ hopes were dashed once again with a very familiar result.