Alexis Mac Allister struggled to make a telling impact as Argentina resorted to theatrics and physicality in the World Cup final, with low ratings in the media.
Liverpool’s No. 10 had been a huge presence for Argentina throughout the World Cup, including in his attacking role as they reached the final at England’s expense.
But with Lionel Scaloni’s side only managing two shots on goal – and none on target – over two hours against Spain on Sunday, and their first coming in the 117th minute, it was a very different story.
Argentina were dominated throughout, largely due to their allowing Spain to take control, and Mac Allister was part of a weak midfield effort.
He received scores of five out of 10 or below across the board as the Argentine media delivered their player ratings after the 1-0 loss.
5/10 ratings for Mac Allister vs. Spain
NEW JERSEY, USA - Sunday, July 19, 2026: Spain's Dani Olmo is challenged by Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister (R) during the FIFA World Cup Final 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the Met Life Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ole‘s Hernan Claus was among those to rate Mac Allister with a five out of 10, writing that he “faded as the game went on” and “failed to make a positive impact either in regaining possession or retaining it.”
“He ended up being part of a midfield that Spain controlled from start to finish,” the journalist added.
Per FotMob, Mac Allister only recorded 43 touches of the ball over the entire game, which was significantly fewer than Spain counterpart Rodri (116).
TyC Sports‘ Ernesto Provitillo agreed with Claus, writing: “Alexis this time couldn’t break free from his more defensive role and had to focus on containing and tracking back.
“This meant Argentina lost the opportunity to unleash one of their most potent attacking players.
“He also failed to effectively challenge the Spanish midfielders.”
NEW JERSEY, USA - Sunday, July 19, 2026: Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister during the FIFA World Cup Final 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the Met Life Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There was a similar verdict from Diego Provenzano, writing for Clarin, who determined that Mac Allister “started strong but faded.”
“His influence waned as the minutes ticked by,” he explained. “Like much of the team, he ended up having no impact on the attack.”
GOAL‘s Ryan Tolmich concluded of Mac Allister’s five-out-of-10 showing: “[Made] several fouls and some decent defensive contributions, but did very little to seize control of the game.”
Even harsher critics give Mac Allister 4/10s
NEW JERSEY, USA - Sunday, July 19, 2026: Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister react to losing the final after the FIFA World Cup Final 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the Met Life Stadium. Spain win the World Cup 1-0 in extra time. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Mac Allister also received lower scores of four of 10 from a number of reporters, including ESPN‘s Nicholas Baier.
Pagina 12‘s Adrian De Benedictis concurred, noting how the 27-year-old “lost his ability to influence the game due to the opposition’s superiority in that area of the pitch.”
Perhaps the most critical was Bolavip‘s Lautaro Toschi, who argued that after a “difficult start,” Mac Allister “did not contribute much in either attack or defence” and had “no participation” in extra time – despite staying on the pitch throughout.
NEW JERSEY, USA - Sunday, July 19, 2026: Liverpool teammates Spain's Víctor Muñoz (L) and Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister shakes hands before the FIFA World Cup Final 2026 between Spain and Argentina at the Met Life Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Despite his struggle in the final, it was a largely positive tournament for Mac Allister on the whole – and he will now take a well-deserved break.
After at least three weeks off, the midfielder is then set to rejoin his Liverpool team-mates at the back end of pre-season, where he will properly meet new signing Victor Munoz, who lifted the World Cup as part of the Spain squad.
Liverpool will travel to the United States on Monday without any of their World Cup players, with friendlies scheduled against Sunderland (July 25), Wrexham (July 30) and Leeds (August 2).