Wayne Rooney Slams 'Pathetic' Argentina Star Over Harry Kane Incident

Wayne Rooney has slammed Argentina's Leandro Paredes as "pathetic" after the midfielder tried to get Harry Kane sent off during their World Cup semi-final.

The BBC aired footage at half-time of Kane covering his mouth while talking to referee Ismail Elfath, which led Paredes to try and get him sent off for doing so.

What happened?

The incident occurred during England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on 18 July 2026. Paredes was seen trying to get Kane sent off for covering his mouth, which is against the rules. However, the referee did not take any action.

Why it matters for Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney, a former England captain, was critical of Paredes' actions. He called the Argentine midfielder "ridiculous" for trying to get Kane sent off. Rooney praised England's defense, saying they had defended "really well" and had been "resilient" throughout the game.

What comes next?

The incident has sparked a debate about the rules regarding covering one's mouth during a game. The BBC presenter Mark Chapman explained the rules, saying that if a player puts their hand over their mouth and says something to another player, it is considered a foul. However, if the player is talking to the referee, it is not considered a foul.

Joe Hart, a former England goalkeeper, praised England's players for their reaction to the incident. He said that Kane was "just trying to have a personal conversation with the referee" and that Paredes' actions were "pathetic". Hart also praised Elliot Anderson, who had chased Lionel Messi around the field and had not given him an inch.

The game is set to continue, with Argentina looking to take the lead and England looking to defend their position. The tension is high, with both teams giving it their all.

The incident has highlighted the importance of sportsmanship in football. While Paredes' actions were seen as unsportsmanlike, England's players have shown great resilience and determination throughout the game.

The World Cup continues to be a thrilling and unpredictable tournament, with many twists and turns still to come.