Report – Post River Plate Vs Inter Milan Brawl Stems From 2022 FIFA Club World Cup Grudge

Originally posted on SempreInter.com | By Toni Weeler | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 1:02 PM ET

The brawl involving River Plate’s Marcos Acuna and Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries reportedly stemmed from a 2022 World Cup grudge.

This according to Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports, via FCInterNews. They report that Acuna taunted Dumfries regarding the quarterfinal the two had played in, setting off the melee.

Inter Milan beat River Plate in the decisive Club World Cup group stage match earlier this week.

And the match ended in chaotic scenes.

It had been a physical and ill-tempered match throughout. This included an intense battle on the flank between Inter’s Denzel Dumfries and River’s Marcos Acuna.

There were several heavy challenges between the two wide players.

Then, right near the end of the match, there was one particular challenge which saw Dufmries and Acuna square up.

After the match, Dumfries appeared to wave Acuna over to the tunnel. Both sets of players gave chase, looking to keep the two apart as a fight threatened to break out.

Acuna Dumfries Brawl In River Plate Vs Inter Clash Stems From 2022 World Cup Grudge

There were some speculations regarding the possible reason for the fiery incident involving Dumfries and Acuna.

The two players reportedly continued their fracas in the dressing room.

And there were even rumours that Acuna may have used racially abusive language towards Dumfries.

According to TyC Sports, the thing that really set off the incident involved Acuna taunting Dumfries over the 2022 World Cup.

In that tournament, Argentina and the Netherlands had met in the quarterfinals. It was an intense, ill-tempered clash in itself, ending in a 2-2 draw with Argentine progressing after a penalty shootout.

The Albiceleste would go on to actually lift the World Cup.

And according to TyC Sports, after a challenge with Dumfries, Acuna made a point of showing the Dutchman his shinpad, which depicted himself raising the trophy.

And evidently, this was still a sore spot for Dumfries considering the way that the quarterfinal match had left.

Therefore, TyC Sports report, Dumfries became particularly angry with Acuna after that taunt.

This article first appeared on SempreInter.com and was syndicated with permission.

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