Mascherano denies fight with Banega: 'I'd never blame someone who had the balls to shoot a penalty'

When Ever Banega saw his penalty saved by a diving Claudio Bravo, it was essentially the final nail in Argentina's Copa America coffin.

For the second time in less than a year, La Albiceleste were forced to reflect on what could have been while watching an opposing national team celebrate an international title.

The defeat was, of course, particularly agonising for those who had missed their shot in the shootout. In the immediate aftermath of the final, a report surfaced claiming Javier Mascherano criticised Banega in the dressing room for how he took his penalty, and that a physical altercation followed.

On Sunday, the holding midfielder denied that such an incident took place.

"I heard that I grabbed Ever," Mascherano said, according to Argentinian daily Ole. "I'm not like that, that's ridiculous."

He added: "I'd never blame someone who had the balls to shoot a penalty in a final in front of 70,000 people."

Clearly affected by the rumour, Mascherano also delivered a message to the media, saying: "You can criticise me for how I play, but not for that, I'm not like that."

Ole points out that news of a fight began circulating before all of Argentina's players had returned to the dressing room. Since Mascherano and Lionel Messi were the last two players to leave the pitch, the chronology of events doesn't support the allegation.