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.
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Down to ten men, Argentina were unable to respond as they fell at the final hurdle in their bid to win back-to-back World Cups.
The condition of the pitch was a big talking point on social media and Arsenal legend Wright blamed it 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.’
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.’
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.’
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