ESPN pundit Craig Burley did not mince his words on Argentina after they lost the World Cup Final to Spain in embarrassing fashion.
“Argentina were a complete and utter disgrace [Sunday],” Burley said on ESPN FC. “Both with their performance and their antics. We expected the antics, we expected the thuggery, we expected the off the ball stuff, but we also expected a lot more on the ball.”
After an electrifying World Cup tournament, the final proved to be anticlimactic with Argentina whimpering through an afternoon of dominant Spanish play.
The South American side failed to record a shot on target and held just 32% of possession throughout the final.
If it weren’t for Argentina’s goalie Emiliano Martínez recording a World Cup final record 11 saves, the game could have gotten out of hand.
Burley’s partner on the ESPN FC desk Frank Leboeuf said that the game was a shame and a “bad image for football.”
He added that before Sunday he thought the 1990 World Cup final, which also featured Argentina losing 1-0 but this time to West Germany, was the worst in history, but has changed his mind since watching Messi and co.
Not only did they struggle on the field, but Argentina faced backlash for antics after the game as well.
While Spain was celebrating, Argentine Leandro Paredes charged toward Eric Garcia and struck him in the throat, forcing him to the ground.
Paredes then shoved Spain midfielder Gavi as a larger brawl broke out. After things were cleared up and Spain went back to celebrating, Paredes received a red card.
“I hated the Argentina performance. There’s this thing where they’ll do anything to get a victory and they’ll try tricks and the dark arts.” Frank Leboeuf said. … “It’s a really bad image for them.”
Eyebrows were raised again when the Argentina players skipped mandatory media and went right to the team bus, leaving head coach Lionel Scaloni alone.
Not every player has to speak, but FIFA mandates each team designate some players to speak with reporters in the mixed zone.
“They were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of [Argentina], of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,” Scaloni said. “We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.”
