Roy Keane and Ian Wright lock horns with Gary Neville over Mexico's opening goal of World Cup

Roy Keane and Ian Wright have locked horns with Gary Neville over Mexico's opening goal of the World Cup.

Julian Quinones' right-footed effort got the scoring started for the co-hosts, being gifted the opportunity after Yaya Sithole gave away the ball on the edge of his penalty area.

Keane and Wright were both in agreement that South African goalie Ronwen Williams was at fault for passing the ball into the middle and letting the shot go through his legs.

Neville instead blame laid with Sithole for his poor touch, which gave Mexico the opportunity to pounce.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Keane said on ITV: "It's not like Pirlo, where he likes to get on it and get on the half-turn, he is on the edge of his box nine minutes into a World Cup game.

"Talk about possession, [the pass] is too straight, a top midfielder would make an angle."

Wright chipped in with: "The fact is that is where he could take a bad touch.

"For me, he has taken a chance passing it because if he does get a bad touch there, that's what can happen, Gary."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS

• World Cup 2026 day two: Mexico and South Korea kick off campaigns with wins, two games to come
• Jose Mourinho officially announced as new Real Madrid manager 13 years after first taking job
• Wimbledon break prize money increase record but players still not happy

Neville responded by disagreeing with his colleagues, accusing Wright of being "facetious".

After Keane explained how his "eyes would light up" at the type of pass played by the South African goalkeeper, Neville said: "There's 48 teams in this tournament and 48 coaches and most of them will be saying - most of them will be setting up to play that little pass in there and bounce it back to the goalkeeper or bounce it back to the right centre-back."

Trying to avoid the interjections from Keane and Wright, the former Manchester United full-back added: "It's not how we played, I get it."

Keane and Wright disagreed, as the Reds' former midfielder criticised the goalkeeper's decision-making, while ex-Arsenal forward Wright said: "Where would you rather have a bad touch?"

As the second half got underway, commentator Ally McCoist weighed in on the matter, agreeing with Neville's perspective.

Fans have been reacting to the heated exchange between the trio, with one saying: "Sorry (Gary Neville), I'm in Roy's camp with this one.

"That straight pass is a dangerous one to make from the keeper when he had better options."

Another said: "Half time of the first game and Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Wrighty are already arguing."

One other added: "Gary Neville already had enough of Roy Keane, it's game one."

Mexico comfortably saw off South Africa 2-0 in the contest, with Raul Jimenez getting the second goal of the game.

Three players were dismissed from the contest, as South Africa finished the game with just nine men.

The other game in Group A saw South Korea come from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter