Former England international Jermaine Jenas accused Rio Ferdinand of lying as the pair debated the performance of William Saliba during France's clash with Portugal.
It was a match that ended goalless, with only a penalty shootout eventually sending Les Bleus through to Euros 2024 semi-finals. After 45 minutes, neither side had produced a shot on target but ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand was keen to highlight the efforts of Arsenal star Saliba.
The Frenchman played every minute for the Gunners in 2023/24 and has broken into the French starting lineup to become a key player in Didier Deschamps' backline. Jenas didn't think he proved much against Portugal however, even with Cristiano Ronaldo as his opposition.
"We spoke about Saliba before the game," Ferdinand began. "The way he has commanded that box and any individual battle he has and any duel he is having he is coming out on top. He's just looked so formidable and so commanding. For somebody so young, in his first tournament, to show this kind of authority, I think is something to marvel at."
Jenas quickly remarked: "I think this is a stretch. There's not been any real players put under major pressure to defend."
Ferdinand looked to strengthen his argument: "I think three balls have been put into the box and he's headed them out of the penalty box. That's something you have to do. You think that's just normal stuff, you see a lot of people not doing it, you still have to do it."
"That is his job," came the Roy Keane-like reply from One Show presenter Jenas. That prompted Ferdinand to take a slight dig at his co-pundit.
"Yeah, this is a midfielder talking who was always shouting, 'Where are you? Can you get up? Can you help me?" he said. Jenas hit back: "That's a lie. That is a lie. There's only one person who defenders call on when they're in trouble, and it's a midfielder."
Ferdinand then continued to make his point amid a highlights package of Saliba's actions in the opening half of the match. Jenas then clarified that he appreciates the young defender's talents, but insisted that he had been untested.
"What I am saying is the game has not lent itself to us to say there has been incredible defending," said the former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder. "It's been a poor 45 minutes. He has been different class but I don't think he's been tested."
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