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Croatia fan beat up at World Cup match with Argentina

Argentinian fans beat up a Croatian fan during their side's embarrassing loss at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Thursday, punching and kicking him repeatedly in the head, new footage has revealed.

As the first serious fight between fans at the World Cup in Russia, it could revive concerns about potential violence, although Russian hooligan attacks on British fans like those at Euro 2016 in Marseilles appear increasingly unlikely.

In a video posted on Friday, at least five men can be seen hitting a man in a red-and-white checkered Croatia jersey in a passageway at the stadium as the crowd cheers on the match.

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The Croatian fan, who is entangled on the ground with a man dressed in black, tries to get up amid a torrent of kicks, but is quickly taken down again by punches to the face.

As fans including some in Argentina jerseys yell “no!” and try to break up the fight, a man kicks the crumpled Croatian fan again in the head.

The attackers quickly disperse as a woman tries to help the dazed man on the ground.

The Nizhny Novgorod police said in a statement on Friday there had been “no significant violations of law and order” at the match. The police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the video.

A FIFA spokesperson said the organisation was “shocked” by the fight and was working with security authorities to identify and punish those involved.

“FIFA firmly condemns the behaviour of these so-called fans and reiterates that violence has no place in football,” the spokesperson said.

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Croatia beat Argentina 3-0 on Thursday night, ensuring they will advance beyond the group stage and leaving the Latin Americans on the brink of elimination.

About 10,500 Argentinians and 5,000 Croatians attended the match, according to local authorities.

Argentina supporters were in a foul mood after their side's second World Cup loss, reportedly yelling and spitting at manager Jorge Sampaoli and even hitting him in the head with a water bottle.

Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli during the difficult game - Credit: Adam Pretty/FIFA via Getty Images
Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli during the difficult gameCredit: Adam Pretty/FIFA via Getty Images

But Nizhny Novgorod's central pedestrian street on Friday seemed far removed from the stadium violence. Argentina and Croatia fans strolled in the sunshine and lunched on terraces with little hint of animosity.

A group of men from Zagrev said supporters had a friendly competition to sing louder than the opposing side on the street before the match.

“There was no hostility in general between fans,” said Nicola Japundzic. “We were partying with them here in the city.”

“We don't blame Argentina” for the fight, said Josip Majher. “There are bad seeds in Croatia, England, or Argentina, but they're just individuals.”

“We're not all like that. There are usually three or four people who spoil the party at a game,” said Marcelo Ronchetti, an Argentinian who lives in Lugano.

Argentina football legend Diego Maradona waves a shirt during the match against Croatia  - Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Argentina football legend Diego Maradona waves a shirt during the match against Croatia Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

The fight footage follows another scandalous Argentinian fan video, in which Nestor Penovi made an unwitting young Russian girl repeat a humiliating sexual phrase in Spanish.

Argentinian authorities have banned Mr Penovi, who apologised for the video, from attending any more 2018 World Cup matches.

Given the bloody scenes in Marseilles in 2016, UK police previously warned England fans that they were at risk of “extreme” Russian hooligan violence at the World Cup.

A group of British fans caused outrage in Russia after they were seen on video singing about Hitler before the England match on Monday in Volgograd, where the Soviets fought the Nazis in the bloodiest battle in history.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi was held scoreless for a second match at the World Cup - Credit: Yang Lei/Xinhua/Barcroft Images
Argentina forward Lionel Messi was held scoreless for a second match at the World CupCredit: Yang Lei/Xinhua/Barcroft Images

But the Russian authorities have cracked down on known hooligans and radical fans, and so far the tournament has seen mostly camaraderie between supporters.

Emotional displays, especially by fans from Latin America and Africa, have amused reticent locals and brought a festive atmosphere to Moscow and other cities.

On Thursday, Colombian fans pulled a drunken Russian out of a river in Kazan, earning effusive thanks from the man in broken English.