Gary Neville’s half-time comments about Lionel Messi look to have been overstated after the superstar netted a crucial strike in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico on Saturday evening.
After Argentina's humiliating 2-1 defeat by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the clash was effectively a must-win game for the South Americans, who had been touted as one of the favourites to win the trophy pre-tournament.
A lethargic-looking first half from Messi drew criticism from a handful of pundits including Neville, who was on punditry duty for ITV alongside Roy Keane and Joe Cole. All three noted the attacker’s seeming reluctance to break into a sweat, and Neville delivered a damning verdict.
