Romero hits back at Gary Neville after Argentina’s dramatic World Cup semi-final comeback

Argentina defender Cristian Romero has launched a stinging response to Gary Neville after the former England and Manchester United defender publicly mocked the Albiceleste’s back line before their dramatic World Cup 2026 semi-final victory over England.

Neville had questioned how England could fail to score twice against Argentina’s defence, but saw his words thrown back at him after Lionel Scaloni’s side came from behind late on to reach a second consecutive World Cup final.

England, chasing a first World Cup final appearance since lifting the trophy in 1966, looked on course for history when Anthony Gordon struck early in the second half. Yet Argentina overturned the deficit in stunning fashion, with late goals from Enzo Fernandez on 85 minutes and Lautaro Martinez deep into stoppage time (90+2) to secure a 2-1 win.

Neville’s pre-match jibe

Speaking ahead of the semi-final, Neville dismissed Argentina’s defensive strength in bullish terms.

“كيف لن نسجل هدفين في مرمى هذا الفريق مع وجود مدافعين بهذا المستوى”
(“How will we not score two goals against this team with defenders of this level.”)

His comments added an extra edge to an already high-stakes encounter between the two footballing heavyweights, reviving familiar debates in England about Argentina’s defensive resilience on the biggest stage.

Romero’s pointed reply

After reaching the final, Tottenham centre-back Romero made it clear Neville’s remarks had not gone unnoticed in the Argentina camp.

“كنت انا وليساندرو (مارتينيز) متحمسين للغاية قبل المباراة بسبب ما قاله جاري نيفيل”، قال روميرو.
(“Lisandro (Martinez) and I were very fired up before the match because of what Gary Neville said,” Romero said.)

He continued, in comments carried by French outlet Foot Mercato:
“في انجلترا، يحبون التحدث قبل المباريات. نرسل له تحية كبيرة.. اتمنى الا اكون مثله عندما اعتزل، ولن انتقد اللاعبين”.
(“In England, they like to talk before matches. We send him our warmest regards… I hope I won’t be like him when I retire, and I will not criticise players.”)

Romero’s remarks underline how external criticism can be used as motivation at elite level, particularly in knockout football where marginal gains and psychological edges often prove decisive.

England left to chase third place

Defeat leaves England facing another bout of soul-searching at a major tournament, despite coming within minutes of a first World Cup final in 60 years.

Gordon’s second-half goal had given Gareth Southgate’s side a foothold in the match and briefly raised hopes of ending decades of underachievement on the world stage. But Argentina’s late surge extended England’s wait for another shot at the trophy they last won in 1966.

England will now meet France in the third-place play-off in the early hours of Sunday, after Les Bleus were beaten 2-0 by Spain in the other semi-final.

Argentina eye back-to-back world titles

Argentina, the reigning world champions, will contest the World Cup final for a second successive tournament when they face Spain on Sunday evening.

La Roja, who last won the World Cup in 2010, are aiming for only their second global crown. Argentina, meanwhile, are seeking to cement their status as the dominant force of the current era by retaining the title they captured in Qatar 2022.

As the focus turns to the final, Romero’s clash with Neville adds a broader subplot to Argentina’s campaign – one that reflects the ongoing tension between punditry and players, and shows how pre-match rhetoric can backfire when the final whistle blows.