Roy Keane could not hide his delight as England were eliminated from the World Cup in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night.
Lionel Messi once again proved his class for Argentina, helping the world champions book their place in Sunday’s final against Spain.
Anthony Gordon had given Thomas Tuchel’s side a first-half lead, raising English hopes of a deep tournament run.
However, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez combined to turn the match on its head with late goals that shattered England’s dreams.
Keane, the former Ireland captain, watched the action unfold alongside Gary Neville and Ian Wright on the Stick To Football World Cup Watch Party.
As Martinez netted the decisive goal, a grinning Keane was quick to remind his co-presenters of a prediction he had made earlier.
“I said he was going to score, didn’t I say he was going to score?” Keane said, clearly relishing the moment with his former Manchester United teammate.
“Martinez was going to score with the header, didn’t I say? It’s all down the right-hand side [to Messi]. What a game. I said Martinez would score, what an option he is off the bench.”
A deflated Ian Wright acknowledged Keane’s foresight, noting: “You had 2-1 Argentina…” to which a smirking Keane replied: “Who had 2-1 Argentina? Me?”
Keane then turned his attention to a visibly downbeat Neville, urging both former England internationals to appreciate what they were witnessing on the world stage.
“Give credit where it’s due – it’s his [Messi’s] weaker foot,” Keane said, barely concealing his amusement at his colleagues’ misery.
“We are watching greatness here, I am telling you. We are watching greatness, appreciate it, seriously.”
The comments drew a strong reaction online, with fans enjoying Keane’s gleeful winding up of two of England football’s most prominent voices.
Argentina’s victory sets up a blockbuster World Cup final against Spain, promising to be one of the most anticipated showpiece events in recent memory.
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