ARG vs ENG: Cristian Romero slams Gary Neville after Argentina beats England, hopes he is never as stupid as him

Argentina defender Cristian Romero hit back at Gary Neville after the defending champions beat England 2-1 to reach the FIFA World Cup final, saying he hopes he is never “that stupid” when he retires after the former England international criticised him before the semi-final.

Neville had questioned Romero and Lisandro Martinez’s partnership ahead of Wednesday’s clash in Atlanta, calling them “the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world” on The Overlap.

Argentina had the last laugh as they came from behind to beat England, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scoring after Anthony Gordon’s opener to seal a second successive World Cup final berth.

Asked about Neville’s comments after the match, Romero delivered a pointed response.

“The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid,” Romero told DSports as quoted by The Athletic.

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“Hopefully I won’t criticise a player or anyone. Because at the end of the day, we are doing our best for our national team. Sometimes it goes right for us, sometimes badly, but we are just happy to be in a World Cup final again.”

Romero said Argentina’s players were focused on representing their country rather than responding to outside criticism.

“I think we are making history. For us it is something really huge, and we feel the significance of this shirt like no one else,” he said.

WHAT DID NEVILLE SAY?

Neville, who played 85 times for England, had acknowledged the quality of Romero and Martinez but questioned their consistency.

“They seem to give a goal away between them every single game,” Neville said.

“But you watch them for Argentina, they are scoring goals, heading the ball, they’re literally everywhere. It’s incredible.”

“I call them the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world. Because at times they can be unbelievable, but the next it’s the sublime to the ridiculous.”

ARGENTINA ABOVE OUTSIDE NOISE

Martinez also dismissed the criticism, saying the Argentina squad had grown accustomed to outside opinions.

“We’re used to people always talking about us,” the Manchester United defender said.

“It seems like they like doing it, and we respond on the pitch, that’s it, always with respect.”

Romero and Martinez have started together in all but one of Argentina’s matches at the tournament, sitting out only the final group-stage game against Jordan after qualification had already been secured.

Argentina’s victory over England sent Lionel Scaloni’s side into Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain, where they will attempt to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.

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