Ian Wright slammed the 'ridiculous' condition of the World Cup final pitch as Spain beat Argentina at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. European champions Spain dominated Sunday's final but were unable to find a winner in normal time against an Argentina side who did not have a single shot. Spain's chances of lifting the World Cup for a second time were boosted in injury-time when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card. Argentina kept Spain at bay in the first half of extra time, but Ferran Torres then broke their resistance in the 106th minute.
Pitch condition under fire
The condition of the pitch was a big talking point on social media, and Arsenal legend Wright blamed the 'terrible' surface for the underwhelming start to the match. 'I've got to say for a World Cup final, this pitch is ridiculous,' Wright said on ITV. 'They shouldn't be on it. I hope they water it at half-time because it just looks bobbly and not easy to play on. It just looks like a terrible pitch for a World Cup final.'
Spain's dominance praised
Speaking after Spain's second World Cup win, ex-England striker Chris Sutton said: 'Let's get it right, the best team won. The best team of the tournament won. The slickest, the silkiest, the stingiest, Spain. Absolutely phenomenal and they thoroughly deserve it. The football they have played and you connect that with how strong and organised they have been. The goalkeeper is a cool customer. He's been exceptional. You think of young Cubarsi who has been one of the players of the tournament, so mature and composed. Rodri has probably been the best midfielder and you can say Lamine Yamal hasn't got going but he worked hard today and put a shift in. They are, and have been, the best team. It is good for football and good they won today as much as I admire Argentina for all their fight and guts and housery, it would've been a travesty had they got over the line today.'
Defensive record lauded
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson added: 'I think from Spain's point of view, to win a World Cup by only conceding one goal, it tells you a lot about the team and its quality. It's a team that's going to grow and they're a team that are experienced at winning tournaments. They were by far and away the better side today.' While Spain become world champions for the first time since 2010, Argentina fail agonisingly short of back-to-back World Cups.
