Alexis Mac Allister was on the losing team in the World Cup final as Spain beat Argentina thanks to a Ferran Torres goal that came in extra-time after a tight encounter
08:27, 20 Jul 2026
Alexis Mac Allister looks on after losing the World Cup final to Spain.
Alexis Mac Allister was on the losing side with Argentina in the World Cup final.(Image: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Liverpool was guaranteed to have a player on the winning side in the World Cup final, and unfortunately for Alexis Mac Allister, it is Victor Munoz who will return from the US with a gold medal.
Argentina frustrated Spain for large periods of the game, but there was no doubt that the right team won in the end, with Ferran Torres finding the back of the net to break the deadlock in the 106th minute.
How did Mac Allister fare, though, and what did the Argentine media make of their team's performance? Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi was the main focus after a quiet outing — but the Liverpool man didn't completely escape the spotlight.
TyC Sports gave Mac Allister a 5/10 rating, which was one point above Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo de Paul, and level with Messi and Julian Alvarez.
"Similar to his midfield teammates, positioned towards the left and also keeping an eye on Rodri alongside Julian, Alexis this time couldn't break free from his more defensive role and had to focus on containing and tracking back," it said.
"This meant Argentina lost the opportunity to unleash one of their most potent attacking players. He also failed to effectively challenge the Spanish midfielders."
Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina kicks the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Of the substitutes, Nahuel Molina picked up a rating of 3/10, while Giuliano Simeone made it four Argentina players who got a lower mark than Mac Allister, by getting a four.
ESPN was harsher on Mac Allister, noting that he could easily have been sent off for two bookable offenses. The Liverpool man left a foot in a couple of times in the first half.
"He was very lucky to get away without a yellow card after a very late challenge on Dani Olmo, and again when he handled the ball," it said.
Rather cuttingly, it added: "He looked uncomfortable all evening."
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While most of the coverage was about Messi's likely last World Cup appearance and the fights that happened at the final whistle as tensions boiled over, Mac Allister's performance wasn't allowed to completely go under the radar by Goal either.
"Several fouls and some decent defensive contributions, but did very little to seize control of the game," was its succinct assessment. That just about summed it up.
Liverpool.com says: Mac Allister really struggled for the Reds last season, but has generally looked pretty good in this tournament. Here, though, he was very much on the team that came out second-best.
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Coming back to Liverpool, he has lots to prove, but under Andoni Iraola, there is a chance for a reset once Mac Allister has been on holiday and recovered from his exertions of the last few months.