Jump directly to the content

NEMANJA MATIC tried to take on the whole Costa Rica bench as all hell broke loose in the closing minutes of Serbia's clash with the Central Americans.

The 29-year-old attempted to get the ball back from Costa Rica assistant manager Luis Marin as the game descended into chaos.

 Serbian midfielder attempted to get the ball from Costa Rica assistant manager Luis Marin in stoppage time
6
Serbian midfielder attempted to get the ball from Costa Rica assistant manager Luis Marin in stoppage timeCredit: EPA
 Matic, 29, was left incensed after Marin refused to give him the ball
6
Matic, 29, was left incensed after Marin refused to give him the ballCredit: Reuters
 Substitute Kendall Watson raced out to confront Matic after he kicked off in the closing stages
6
Substitute Kendall Watson raced out to confront Matic after he kicked off in the closing stagesCredit: Reuters

Bizarrely, with his side leading, Matic went to grab the ball from Marin, despite it being a throw in for Oscar Ramirez's side.

This only angered the substitutes on the bench, who raced out from the dugout to confront the Manchester United midfielder.

Kendall Watson pushed Matic away from his coach, but that only fired up the two-time Premier League winner.

With no team-mates beside him, the ex-Chelsea star challenged the whole bench as he looked to show the side who's boss.

 All hell broke loose in the closing stages of Serbia's Group E clash with Costa Rica
6
All hell broke loose in the closing stages of Serbia's Group E clash with Costa RicaCredit: AFP or licensors
 Matic seemed hellbent on retrieving the ball, despite it being a Costa Rica throw
6
Matic seemed hellbent on retrieving the ball, despite it being a Costa Rica throwCredit: AFP
 Matic somehow escaped from the incident without even a booking
6
Matic somehow escaped from the incident without even a bookingCredit: AP:Associated Press

The fourth official wad forced to intervene to calm down the incident before play could resume.

Amazingly, Matic wasn't even shown a yellow card by the referee.

While Aleksandar Prijovic evaded a straight red card in the 98th minute after catching Johan Venegas across the face.

Serbia managed to hold on to the 1-0 lead in their Group E opener, after Aleksandar Kolarov fired in a stunning free-kick in the 55th minute.


FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup


Dele Alli relaxes with a game of darts at England World Cup base in Repino, Russia
Topics