Gary Neville branded France star Ousmane Dembele ‘pathetic’ and ’embarrassing’ as he was exposed by Argentina’s Angel Di Maria in the World Cup final.
Barcelona winger Dembele endured a World Cup final to forget as he gave away a penalty before being hauled off before half-time by France boss Didier Deschamps.
Dembele had his head in his hands as he clumsily brought down Dembele in the box, with Lionel Messi converting from the spot-kick to give Argentina a deserved lead.
France, aiming to defend their World Cup trophy, looked stunned ten minutes before half-time as Di Maria doubled Argentina’s advantage after a well-worked goal.
Assessing Dembele’s performance at half-time, Neville told ITV Football: ‘It’s pathetic [from Dembele].
‘Di Maria’s position has stretched Jules Kounde and the French team, they haven’t come to terms with it. It’s a genius selection from the manager so well done to him.
‘Dembele, I know he’s a wide player, but honestly, that challenge… We know what he’s going to do Di Maria, he’s been doing it for 10 years.
‘It’s embarrassing from him. I’m a little bit torn because it’s a soft penalty, but you deserve to be found out because of the stupidity of the challenge.
‘Dembele gets found out because he gives Di Maria the opportunity. Dembele gets played like a little boy to be fair.’
Neville’s former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane was full of praise for Argentina at half-time but said they were taking advantage of a dismal France display.
He added: ‘Argentina have dominated every part of the game. They’ve been fantastic but France are losing every battle.
‘They’ve been sloppy in possession, they don’t look at it physically. Argentina are hunting in packs and when you talk about desire, Argentina are showing that. They’ve been brilliant.’
Argentina are bidding to win their third World Cup trophy in Qatar in what Messi has said will be his final World Cup game.
Former Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta said on BBC One: ‘There are 45 minutes to go but it was fantastic first 45 minutes from Argentina.
‘On the front foot from the first minute in the game, playing good football, high tempo on the ball.
‘Well done to [Argentina boss] Scaloni for moving Di Maria to the left as well, he has been on fire for the first 45 minutes. We spoke about how important he was too that team and I am so happy for Di Maria.’
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