Germany defender Per Mertesacker was at a loss to explain what sparked the ugly scenes that followed the hosts' World Cup quarter-final penalty shootout win over Argentina.

Mertesacker appeared to be kicked by Leonardo Cufre before all hell broke loose on the pitch in Berlin, with players and officials clashing before calm was restored after several minutes of madness.

"They are no choirboys, that's for sure," Mertesacker told PA Sport.

"One of their players attacked me even though I did not do anything, and he got the red card. I have three or four red marks on my thigh and then he kicked me again in the groin.

"I cannot understand that it turned into so much aggression. He behaved in a very unsportsmanlike way and I asked him why he did that and then he completely lost it again."

Germany midfielder Torsten Frings added: "They are bad losers and the pictures just show it. They completely lost their minds.

"We tried to calm them down, but I just saw them being all over Per Mertesacker.

"It just shows they are bad sports and are badly behaved. I hope their players get suspended."