Argentine fans threw bottles and stones at police in the central city of Cordoba and attacked a branch of U.S. bank Citibank in the coastal town of Mar del Plata after Argentina's 1-1 draw with Sweden ended their World Cup chances.

The surprise exit in the first round came as a huge shock for many Argentines, who had been looking forward to the tournament as a diversion from recession and hardship at home.

Argentina were favourites going into the tournament and won their first match against Nigeria, but lost to England last Friday and needed a win on Wednesday to get to the second round.

Much of the country watched the match, which started at 3:30 a.m. local time.