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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul Thomson

Ally McCoist couldn't resist cheeky England dig during World Cup final

Ally McCoist couldn't resist a cheeky dig at England as he commentated on Argentina's extraordinary World Cup final triumph over France.

The 60-year-old former Scotland striker was part of ITV's commentary team for the showpiece in Qatar, which has been hailed as the greatest World Cup final ever after a breathtaking six-goal thriller finished 3-3 after extra-time and required penalties for Lionel Messi's men to take the trophy, strengthening the diminutive forward's claim as the greatest of all time.

Messi bagged a brace either side of an Angel Di Maria strike, while French forward Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi shuts down Argentina retirement talk with national team pledge after World Cup glory

And it was as 2018 World Cup winner Mbappe struck his third and final goal of the game that McCoist popped up with a golden piece of commentary that will have been appreciated by millions across the UK, reports The Daily Record.

As Mbappe kept his cool from the spot to send Argentine goalkeeper Martinez the wrong way, McCoist quipped: "Mbappe is the first player to score a a hat-trick in a World Cup Final when every one was over the line!"

McCoist was referring to England's controversial 1966 World Cup win over West Germany when Geoff Hurst had a goal awarded to him despite the fact the ball appeared to have failed to cross the line after crashing down off the crossbar. England won the game 4-2 after extra-time and it remains their one and only World Cup final triumph.

That prompted co-commentator Lee Dixon to respond: "You are going to be getting some letters for that."

The joke from McCoist went down a storm with armchair fans and you can enjoy the moment for yourself, below:

McCoist later said on his Instagram page: "I am struggling to come to terms with what I have just witnessed there.

"I have never seen a game of such importance with so much drama unfolding before our very eyes. It was absolutely amazing, incredible.

"Mbappe has got a hat-trick and he is not even in the winning team. Work that one out!

"Imagine scoring a hat-trick in a World Cup final and finishing up on the losing team.

"It was just meant to be. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did."

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