Alexi Lalas has taken aim at Argentina players for their ‘weak’ decision to skip media interviews after losing the World Cup final on Sunday.
Argentina suffered an agonizing 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the New Jersey showpiece, meaning they fell short in their bid to become the first world champions to retain the title since 1962.
There were ugly scenes at the full-time whistle as several of Lionel Scaloni’s players lashed out at their opponents, with midfielder Leandro Paredes sent off for grabbing one player and punching another before pushing him to the ground.
As Spain lifted the World Cup trophy, the Argentina squad has also been slammed for standing with their backs to the winning team at MetLife Stadium.
Now Lionel Messi and Co have come in for more criticism after refusing to face the music and speak to the media following their defeat on Sunday night.
Outspoken US soccer analyst Lalas quoted a post from Miami Herald reporter Michelle Kaufman on X about Argentina players skipping interviews after the match and simply wrote: ‘Weak.’
Alexi Lalas has slammed Argentina for their ‘weak’ decision to skip World Cup final interviews
A number of fans agreed with the ex-USMT international, including one who said: ‘This is who they are. Most unlikeable team ever dating back to last WC. Good defeated evil yesterday lol’.
‘How you behave when things don’t go your way speaks volumes about your character, or lack thereof,’ said another.
While a third put: ‘Not a good look for an Argentine team that failed to show up for the match.’
FIFA is set to investigate the behavior of Argentina’s players after the World Cup final descended into violence on Sunday night.
Paredes was sent off after the final whistle for grabbing Eric Garcia by the neck and punching Gavi in the face before pushing him to the ground in appalling scenes.
Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he was running by as Argentina took out their frustrations on the newly-crowned champions.
FIFA is opening disciplinary proceedings into the red card issued to Paredes, with the role of other players and officials also set to be investigated, according to The Times.
Lalas was heavily critical of the now-former world champions for refusing to face the music
Argentina suffered an agonizing 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final
There were ugly scenes at full time as Leandro Paredes and other Argentina players lashed out
Some of Argentina’s players lost their heads as Spain’s substitutes and staff ran on to the pitch to celebrate their victory.
Molina’s punch on Rodri triggered players from both teams to pile into the melee, before Paredes threw punches.
Elsewhere, 53-year-old assistant coach Roberto Ayala was also caught landing a punch on Spain’s Dani Olmo at full time.
Paredes’ sending off was not the only red card Argentina received on the day, with Enzo Fernandez leaving his country with 10 men in extra-time after picking up his second yellow card in stoppage time at the end of the second half.
