Neville calls Martinez and Romero the best 'worst centre-halves' in the world after Argentina's comeback

Gary Neville praised Lisandro Martinez’s fighting spirit while pulling no punches about his defensive vulnerabilities, after Argentina survived a dramatic scare to beat Egypt 3-2 in their World Cup last-16 tie in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez scored as the defending champions overturned a two-goal deficit late in the second half to keep their title defence alive. Martinez, who had scored in Argentina’s 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the previous round, started alongside Romero at the back.

Speaking in ITV’s post-match studio, Neville offered a verdict that was equal parts criticism and admiration. “You watch Romero and Martinez, and they’re the best ‘worst centre-halves’ in the world,” he said. “You watch them, they give goals away constantly. But they don’t care about giving goals away because they’ll score goals at the other end. They have massive personalities and they keep going.”

Neville pointed to Romero’s contribution to the comeback as evidence of the mentality that defines both defenders. “At that point in the game, you think Argentina are hanging on for dear life. They’re fighting for their lives and Romero is part of that comeback. You always ask the questions: ‘why is Martinez scoring in the last game? Why is Romero scoring there?’ Because they don’t give in and they fight, and they fight, and they fight.”

Former United captain Roy Keane, also in the studio, singled out Romero’s goal for particular praise, highlighting the Tottenham defender’s movement as the key factor. “It’s obviously a brilliant delivery. His movement is like a striker — he just peels off the back of the defender,” Keane said. “Yes, it’s poor defending, they’re trying to hold a high line. But his movement and his timing is like a top-class striker. Absolutely fantastic. We go back to that desire to try and get back in the game.”

The result means Argentina advance in the World Cup as they bid to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.