Spurs star handed 3/10 rating by nation’s media after World Cup display

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Argentinian outlet Ole did not hold back in their assessment of Cristian Romero and his performance during Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, with the Tottenham Hotspur defender handed a 3/10 rating.

Many will be rethinking their pre-tournament prediction of backing the Copa America champions to go all the way in Qatar.

Argentina took the lead early on with Lionel Messi converting an early penalty. But Saudi Arabia were able to turn the game around, with two brilliant goals in the second-half.

Cristian Romero slated after performance in Argentina loss

Argentina tried to pile the pressure on in the latter stages. But they were unable to ask too many questions. And actually, they rarely came too close to finding an equaliser.

Romero came off six minutes after the goal which proved to be the winner. And according to Ole, no player in an Argentina shirt produced a worse performance.

He was beaten too easily for the equaliser. He did actually make a very good block before the winner. But Ole issued a brutal verdict on his display.

“His worst game in the national team,” they wrote. “To the point that Scaloni took him out after 13′ of the second-half, for Lisandro Martínez. He paid in the goal of Al-Shehri’s equaliser. And he was vulnerable as rarely. It was noticed that it didn’t arrive well physically.”

Romero is definitely facing a battle to keep his place in the side. Lisandro Martinez replaced the Spurs star just before the hour mark. And Martinez has been in excellent form this season.

Romero went into the tournament with an injury. And he had not played in the Premier League in more than a month.

Perhaps Lionel Scaloni felt that the clash with Saudi Arabia would be a good opportunity to get him back up to speed.

However, it proved to be one of the darkest days in Argentina’s recent footballing history. And they now face an uphill battle to ensure that they get through to the next stage.