Graeme Souness slams Argentina for shock Saudi Arabia loss & says England have ‘nothing to fear’ against them

GRAEME SOUNESS has insisted that England have nothing to fear should they come up against a “dreadful” Argentina.

The Scottish pundit hammered Lionel Messi’s team after their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener.

AFPLionel Messi was unable to inspire Argentina to victory over Saudi Arabia[/caption]

Graeme Souness was left unimpressed with ArgentinaRex

Messi gave Argentina the lead with a 10th-minute penalty, but goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari in the space of five second-half minutes were enough to give the underdogs the victory.

Souness was left “gobsmacked” by the performance from the Copa America champions.

He also admitted that it would be “good news” for England should they come up against them in the tournament.

He said on ITV: “I am gobsmacked, I have never witnessed an Argentina team not be up for a cup in terms of a physical encounter. They were wishy-washy.

“The referee was obviously going to be lenient, Saudi Arabia were super aggressive, the referee let it go.

“At that point Argentina had to say to themselves ‘We have to match this or we will be in trouble’. And that’s what happened.

“I thought Argentina had another gear but they didn’t. Unless they find a yard of aggression from somewhere, they can be rolled over.

“Really good news for England, if they have to meet them in the competition.”

Most read in Football

ARGENTINA 1 SAUDI ARABIA 2

Messi and co suffer torrid start after Saudi ends unbeaten run

NOT KEANE

Keane leaves pundits laughing with brutal assessment of Iran after England defeat

TRAGIC DEATH

ITV Technical Director behind World Cup coverage Roger Pearce dies in Qatar

SOUTH BARK

Southgate ‘miserable’ despite Iran rout and says England ‘must be better’ vs USA

KANE PAIN

England fears as Kane spotted limping with ankle strapped after knock vs Iran

JACK OF HEARTS

Heartwarming moment Grealish keeps promise to young fan after goal vs Iran

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP AND WIN A SHARE OF £50k

Souness went on to suggest that the Argentina team was a “shadow” of itself from previous World Cups.

He added: “Argentina historically are a team that don’t get intimidated, they got intimidated today by Saudi Arabia.

“They got rolled over from a very enthusiastic and well-organised Saudi Arabia team.

“I am so disappointed in Argentina, not because they lost but the manner of the way they lost. You have to match the aggression and they never did.

“That was a shadow of any Argentina team I have seen. They were a shadow today.”

Lionel Messi could not inspire Argentina against Saudi Arabia