Gary Neville has branded Argentina's World Cup final display 'a bag of s***' in an excoriating verdict after their defeat by Spain.

Lionel Messi and Co were out to become only the third nation to win back-to-back titles but failed to register a shot until deep into extra-time in a match that their opponents dominated.

Despite a resolute defensive display that kept Spain out until Ferran Torres's goal in the 106th minute, Argentina have been widely condemned for their physical approach to the match.

Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, Neville said: 'I did say that my first comments were to admire them. 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***.'

Neville also claimed the side would never have even reached a second final in a row were it not for the genius of Messi, who scored eight goals en route to Sunday's New Jersey showpiece. 

He added: 'If it looks like s*** and it smells like s***, it's s*** to be fair. 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."

Fellow former England star Ian Wright admitted he had sympathy for Messi but insisted the right team won. 

'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,' he said. 'But I'm quite happy for Spain.'

Lionel Messi was indeed left crying on the pitch - with his side refusing post-match interviews and not watching the trophy lift - and broke his silence on Monday.

While Argentina had to come back against the likes of Egypt and England - a game in which they were slammed for their physicality - but it was a step too far in the final. 

'The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal,' Messi 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.'