Internationals – Romero lifts World Cup with Argentina, Lloris a runner-up

Cristian Romero is a World Cup winner!

The 24-year-old centre-back was part of the Argentina side that defeated France on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw in Sunday’s final in Lusail, with Hugo Lloris picking up a silver medal as captain of the runners-up.

Both ‘Cuti’ and Hugo saw plenty of action throughout the game, the pair colliding early on before making some vital interventions for their respective nations, Hugo notably denying Lionel Messi in the last few seconds of stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes when the score was 2-2.

Winners last time out in 2018, France had to come from behind twice to keep themselves in with a chance of retaining the trophy, having struggled for much of the first 80 minutes. Indeed, Argentina looked to be cruising to victory thanks to a penalty from Messi and Angel Di Maria’s effort in the first half, before a quickfire brace from Kylian Mbappe – the first one from the spot – with just under 10 minutes left turned the momentum in France’s favour.

Messi scrambled his team back in front three minutes into the second half of extra time after an initial brilliant save from Hugo to deny Lautaro Martinez, before Mbappe completed his hat-trick with his second penalty of the game to make it 3-3 in the 118th minute.

Both sides had late chances to win amid a frantic ending, but ultimately it was Cristian’s Argentina who were left to celebrate after winning the penalty shootout 4-2.

Cuti and Hugo both completed the full match.

Following Ivan Perisic’s bronze medal with Croatia on Saturday, it means one of our players each picked up a bronze, silver and gold medal as the curtain came down on an eventful tournament in Qatar.

Congratulations to Cuti and all 12 of our players who graced the tournament – all roads now lead to Boxing Day and the return of Premier League football, with a trip to Brentford first up for us at 12.30pm UK.