Gary Neville has launched a scathing assessment of Argentina's World Cup final performance, claiming Lionel Messi's side "played like a bag of s**t" as Spain deservedly lifted football's biggest prize.
The defending champions were hoping to emulate the great Italy and Brazil sides by retaining the World Cup, but they produced an uninspiring display in New Jersey and rarely threatened Spain's goal.
Argentina failed to register a shot until deep into extra time, spending almost the entire contest pinned back by Luis de la Fuente's side before Ferran Torres finally broke the deadlock in the 106th minute.
Although Lionel Scaloni's men frustrated Spain for long periods with a disciplined defensive display, their physical tactics attracted widespread criticism throughout the tournament and again in the final.
Neville, speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, admitted Argentina deserved credit for remaining in the contest for so long but insisted there could be no disguising the quality of their performance.
"I did say that my first comments were to admire them," Neville said.
"But they played terribly, let's be clear, they played poorly in the game.
"What I'd say is: if they stayed in the game, you've got to hand it to them. Well done to them, but they played like a bag of s***."
The former Manchester United defender also argued Argentina's remarkable run to a second successive World Cup final was only possible because of Messi's brilliance.
The 39-year-old captain scored eight goals during the tournament and repeatedly rescued his country as they fought their way through the knockout stages.
Without him, Neville believes Argentina would never have come close to another appearance in the final.
"If it looks like s**t and it smells like s**t, it's s**t to be fair," he continued.
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"What we watched in the final was a performance that was poor, and they've played poorly at times.
"But they've got massive chemistry and fierce competitiveness that gets them through, and they've got an incredible player up top who gets them over the line.
"Without him, I said this in the last tournament, they're a team that would probably struggle to get to the same point."
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also reflected on Argentina's defeat, admitting he felt sorry for Messi after seeing the veteran reduced to tears, while maintaining Spain were worthy champions.
"I'm delighted that Argentina didn't win but I am sad, I didn't like to see Messi crying like that, you saw what it meant to him," Wright said.
"But I'm quite happy for Spain."
Messi was visibly emotional after the final whistle, remaining on the pitch as Spain celebrated their triumph.
Argentina's players also declined to conduct post-match interviews and chose not to stay on the field to watch their opponents lift the trophy.
The defeat brought an end to another dramatic World Cup campaign for Scaloni's side, who had fought back from difficult positions against both Egypt and England before their luck finally ran out in the final.
Breaking his silence on social media the following day, Messi thanked supporters and congratulated Spain after the heartbreaking defeat.
"The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal," he wrote on Instagram.
"But I also hold onto all the good things... The matches we turned around by giving it our all - moments that will remain in our memories forever - and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group's hard work and effort, brought us back among the world's elite once again.
"It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message.
"Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine. I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship."
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