Alan Sugar has been called out for his comments over Ally McCoist’s commentary during Spain’s 2-0 win over France in their World Cup semi-final.

The Scottish commentator is one of the most popular among British football fans and joined Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon to call the game on ITV. It’s the first time the broadcaster has used a three-man commentary team during the tournament.

McCoist has been covering other games in the USA, Canada and Mexico and has often been praised by fans for his passion and comedic tone. Sugar took issue with him calling the action during the clash at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday night.

Sugar acknowledged McCoist’s experience in the game but riled up viewers with a controversial claim. He wrote on his X account: “Ally McCoist is very well respected for football knowledge. But I am sorry to say I can’t understand a word he is saying.”

McCoist’s Scottish accent seemed to irk Sugar, who seemingly hadn’t heard him commentate on other games during the World Cup. His remarks didn’t go down well with fans who felt they were unnecessary.

One fan responded to The Apprentice ‘boss’: “Says more about you than him I can understand every word and he is a great pundit.”

Another viewer hit out at the British businessman: “How can I, a Nigerian understand him very well and you an English man is struggling to understand him? make it make sense!”

One added: “Just rude. Not hard to understand at all…”

Another replied: “That’s a “you” problem I’m afraid.”

One gave a brutal response: “Maybe just an ignorant old man who chooses not to try. Weird how we can understand your accent but we apparently speak in an alien language.”

Another added: “Typical Englishman remark really, extremely wealthy and successful individual yet so ignorant and rude in your old age.”

McCoist usually calls Premier League action on TNT Sport but also works for ITV for events such as the World Cup. The legendary former Scotland and Rangers striker has become one of the most adored pundits.

There was plenty of excitement for McCoist to call during Spain’s 2-0 win over favourites France. An early penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal gave the European champions the lead before Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro added a second in the second half.

McCoist’s appearance on co-commentary will have come as a pleasant surprise for many viewers who have taken issue with ITV’s main duo. Many fans have been critical of Matterface and Dixon due to a lack of chemistry.

Particularly Dixon’s lack of energy, and despite this, ITV have persisted with him to call England games. The Arsenal legend is often deemed monotone and this hasn’t gone unnoticed by the media.

The i Paper claimed that Dixon was “sucking the joy out of the World Cup” while The Telegraph describe him and Matterface as the “not-so-dynamic duo.”

Perhaps that’s why McCoist joined the pair for Spain’s encounter with France. There have been debates over which broadcaster is winning, and many believe the BBC’s commentary has been the better of the two.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic singled out one player after Spain beat France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday to reach the World Cup final.

The reigning European champions put in their best performance of the tournament to beat the favourites in convincing fashion. They took the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal’s 22nd-minute penalty after Lucas Digne had unintentionally kicked Lamine Yamal.

Spain controlled proceedings and Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro added a second in the 58th minute. He produced a fine finish after a clever ball from Dani Olmo.

Ibrahimovic Hails ‘Magnificent’ Spain Star

REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Luis de la Fuente’s men haven’t quite been at their best until tonight, when they completely bossed a France side many expected to reach the final. Much of that was due to dominance in the middle of the park, which Ibrahimovic pointed out in his post-match analysis.

The legendary former Swedish striker hailed one of Spain’s men while speaking on FOX Sports: “I have to mention, Rodri was all over the place. What a game, what a player. He’s a player who doesn’t get a lot of credit, but this game he was everywhere. He was just magnificent. Football won today.”

Rodri came into the tournament after a somewhat frustrating season at Manchester City. A persistent hamstring problem took hold, and he was unable to help his side beat Arsenal to the Premier League title.

The 30-year-old has well and truly put his fitness struggles behind him, dominating in the middle of the park not just tonight but throughout Spain’s World Cup campaign. He’s played in each of their seven games thus far and would be a worthy winner of the Golden Ball after doing so at Euro 2024.

Pep Guardiola Predicted Rodri’s World Cup Revival

Rodri’s injury troubles had many questioning whether his best days were behind him amid unconvincing displays for City. Some envisioned the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner returning to La Liga to join Real Madrid, who have long held an interest.

One person who stuck by the veteran midfielder was Pep Guardiola, who backed him to be back to his best come the World Cup. The former City boss said back in October (via ESPN):

“Rodri has been and is an outstanding player. Everybody knows it. But I said to Rodri, and maybe he struggled to understand: it’s not about six months or seven months [after the injury]. ‘Ah, [after] eight months I’ll play and be the Rodri of before’. No.”

Guardiola added: “Rodri will be good at the World Cup with Spain [next summer]. In the World Cup it will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri.”

Rodri’s performance against France proved Guardiola right, as he delivered a world-class display that City fans have enjoyed throughout his spell at the Etihad. He achieved an 87% pass accuracy, completed 15 carries, won all four of his aerial duels, both of his tackles and made two clearances.

Next up for Rodri is a first-ever World Cup final and the chance to add the one trophy evading his trophy cabinet. His Spain side will face either Argentina or England at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday.

With the 2026 World Cup final less than a week away, England will be desperate to make their first final since 1966. They don’t have any easy path to that point, however, with Argentina to come in the semi-final.

Not only are the South Americans a very good team, having won the FIFA tournament in 2022, but there is also a great deal of history between the teams, which will only add to the occasion. Infamously, Diego Maradona scored his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the 1986 quarter-finals, while David Beckham also picked up a red card against the same country as the Three Lions crashed out of the 1998 World Cup.

Add the 1982 Falklands War into the mix – which means English referees Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor have been banned from officiating Lionel Messi’s side this summer – and it’s not hard to see why the semi-final could be a fiery affair. Perhaps adding fuel to the flames, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named three Argentines who aren’t as hard as they make out to be.

Scholes Discusses Former Argentina Teammates at Man Utd

Scholes played 66 times for England – starting that notable 1998 World Cup loss against Argentina – but opted to retire early in 2004 to focus on his club football with Manchester United. At Old Trafford, he was one of the all-time great Premier League midfielders, winning the English top flight 11 times.

During his time with the Red Devils, he got to play alongside some quality Argentinian players such as Juan Sebastian Veron, Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football about his time spent with South American stars, he praised their personalities, but claimed the trio were ‘pussycats’ really:

Joe Cole Makes Bold Argentina World Cup Claim

Joe Cole looks on as a TV pundit via REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

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Scholes isn’t the only former England player to risk antagonising the Argentines ahead of the semi-final. Indeed, 2006 World Cup star Joe Cole has confidently claimed the Three Lions will send Messi packing. He said this week:

“We will have to put Lionel Messi to bed. We’re going to put him to bed.” Before adding: “We are, 100 per cent. I’m saying it now, England are going to the World Cup final, we’ve got too much pace for Argentina and we’re going to beat them, I feel it in my bones!”

With all that history between the two nations, plus plenty of eye-catching comments in the media from the likes of Scholes and Cole, sparks could fly when they meet at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday.