BERLIN - Players from both teams clashed on the pitch after Germany beat Argentina on 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup on Friday, the match having finished 1-1 after extra-time.
German team manager Oliver Bierhoff was involved in the fracas and and incurred the wrath of the Argentina players in the seconds that followed their exit from the competition.
Bierhoff told German TV that he intervened after an Argentina substitute trod on German defender Per Mertesacker, leaving the player lying on the ground.
FIFA officials and referee Lubos Michel were all caught up in the melee and punches and kicks appeared to be thrown in chaotic scenes which went on for approximately 90 seconds in front of a 72,000 crowd.
The trouble seemed to start when midfielder Tim Borowski gestured towards the Argentina players to "keep quiet" having scored his penalty to make it 4-2 in Germany's favour.
Several of the South American players walked towards him and when the final Argentina spot-kick was saved, the Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini approached Germany's Oliver Neuville.
Punches were thrown in a brief melee before it was broken up.
"It's a shame that in a game like a quarter-final such pictures end up getting sent around the world," Bierhoff said.
"The fans have shown that they can get on well with each other and we should be able to do the same as sportsmen and team representatives."
Argentine coach Jose Pekerman played down the incident.
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