Before Lionel Messi and Argentina pulled off another miraculous comeback to punch their ticket to the World Cup Final, Wednesday’s semifinal against England got rather chippy.

Referee Ismail Elfath had his work cut out for him as the two powerhouse nations jawed at each other and battled physically, particularly throughout the first half.

The most notable interaction of them all involved the match’s two biggest stars: Messi and Jude Bellingham. The latter wasn’t backing down to the legend, which had everyone wondering postgame what exactly was said.

Bellingham spoke about it with the media:

“We was discussing a foul actually but no it was nothing bad I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal. But no it was nothing. There was a foul earlier and he said what about the one on me and I was kind of saying you’re strong enough to take it you know what I mean. But no it was a privilege to play against him, there was nothing like that against him. So yeah I’m obviously on the losing side which hurts a lot but yeah privilege to line up against one of the best,”

The 23-year-old Bellingham was held off the scoresheet in the heartbreaking loss, while Messi, 39, helped set up both Argentine goals, finishing with two assists in the thrilling win.

There are no friends in the heat of a World Cup semifinal, so it should come as no surprise to see Bellingham and Messi, for that matter, mixing it up.

The problem for England, however, was that it may have just further motivated Messi, who responded the way he always seems to in the biggest moments: by working his magic and taking over the match. Don’t poke the bear.

Next: More Late-Game Lionel Messi Magic Sends Argentina to World Cup Final