A former Manchester United and Arsenal transfer target was involved in a wild bust-up at the Club World Cup as tensions boiled over after the full time whistle
11:13, 26 Jun 2025
Club World Cup
Players had to be pulled apart at the Club World Cup(Image: DAZN_ES/X)
Tensions boiled over during a steamy evening at the Club World Cup as players had to be pulled apart.
Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries, who has been tracked by Arsenal and Manchester United, was involved in a heated encounter with River Plate's Marcos Acuna after the full-time whistle of the Group E Club World Cup match.
The Serie A giants had won 2-0, following goals from Francesco Pio Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni, with their Argentine opponents finishing with just nine-men.
River had already seen Lucas Martinez Quarta and Gonzalo Montiel dismissed in the second half as Acuna let his frustrations get the better of him when he lashed out at Dumfries.
Dumfries had to be held back by his team-mate as players and staff from both sides rushed in as a brawl broke out. The Dutchman was then chased by Acuna as River supporters fired missiles at him while exiting the pitch.
Denzel Dumfries
Denzel Dumfries was at the centre of the altercation(Image: DAZN_ES/X)
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It's not the first time these two have come head-to-head and they also clashed during the infamous 2022 World Cup match between Argentina and the Netherlands.
Dumfries was sent off during the penalty shoot-out for trying to distract the Argentine players as they took their spot kicks.
Inter's win has now set them up for a last 16 clash with Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense.
Denzel Dumfries
Denzel Dumfries clashed with Marcos Acuna(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Red Devils had been heavily linked with Dumfries, but they were dealt a transfer hammer blow earlier this summer.
Last summer it was reported that Dumfries would not agree to a new deal with Inter until after the transfer window closed, and even then, no negotiations took place.
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This put United on high alert, as The Athletic reported that Dumfries was keen on a move elsewhere, with United being his preferred destination.
However, he has now penned a new deal with Inter, keeping him at the club until 2028.