Jude Bellingham found himself at the centre of controversy after eagle-eyed fans appeared to lip-read the Real Madrid star blaming England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for Enzo Fernandez's equalising goal in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez unleashed a stunning long-range effort to level the score at 1-1, but Bellingham seemingly felt the strike was saveable, with his apparent complaint suggesting the shot was directed towards the middle of the goal.
A clip circulated on social media showing what fans believe to be Bellingham's reaction, with the England midfielder reportedly mouthing words about the shot being central — a reference some interpreted as a dig at Pickford's reach.
The criticism may seem harsh on Pickford, who by most accounts delivered a strong performance on the night and has been reliable throughout the tournament for the Three Lions.
Bellingham has been outstanding for England at this World Cup, but moments like these can rub supporters the wrong way, with the midfielder occasionally displaying a petulant streak when results turn against him.
England's World Cup exit will prompt serious reflection after they surrendered a lead with just minutes remaining. The consensus pointed towards an overly defensive and cautious approach that handed momentum back to Argentina, with head coach Thomas Tuchel's tactical decisions drawing significant scrutiny.
While Pickford might have done better with Fernandez's strike, the broader issue appeared to be the team's conservative shift in the closing stages rather than any individual error.
Despite the painful semi-final defeat, England's tournament was largely positive, and there may be reasons for optimism about what this squad can achieve in the future. However, with the nation still waiting for a World Cup triumph since 1966, many felt this represented their best chance to finally lift the trophy again.
Argentina, meanwhile, now look to retain their crown in what promises to be a mouthwatering final against Spain this Sunday.