Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'couldn't take any more' in World Cup heartbreak

Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero could only complete 70 minutes as Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Ferran Torres' goal in extra time sealed the European champions' second-ever star after a game that only ever looked to be going one way, especially when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for a challenge in stoppage time.

Argentina did not have a single shot on target throughout the contest, with their only two shots having come after they went behind.

Romero and Lisandro Martinez enjoyed a superb World Cup, and both defenders' absences in the final stages saw Lionel Scaloni's team weakened significantly.

Tottenham will now expect progress on Romero's departure to accelerate, with a move expected this summer.

The likes of Inter Milan and Barcelona have been linked, with the Lilywhites set to demand around £50million for their captain.

Argentina media react to Cristian Romero

Romero's World Cup had been in doubt before the end of the Premier League season.

The defender suffered a knee injury against Sunderland in April and was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

It was touch and go if he would make it to North America for the World Cup, either, but it would have taken more than just injury to keep him away.

Romero looked to be back to full fitness when he played 120 minutes against Cape Verde, before featuring for the vast majority of the subsequent games against Egypt, Switzerland and England.

But in the final, Romero clearly had attempted to go one step further than his body was capable, and he was substituted.

"What a World Cup Cuti played! He cleared everything that was around the box. When he had to drop back to help out wide, he did a fantastic job," Argentine outlet TycSports wrote, rating him a six out of 10 for the game.

"When he had to make runs forward to intercept, he delivered. When he had to drift out to the left side of the defence to help cover, his contribution was remarkable.

"But, unfortunately, his body couldn't take any more, and he could only play 70 minutes. Perhaps with him on the pitch, when Argentina finally took the initiative, very late, very near the end, things would have been different."

Romero's Tottenham exit to accelerate

Romero's departure from Tottenham has appeared to be on the cards for some time now.

The defender has been hugely critical of the club's ownership over the years and has seemed to care less and less about what happens on the pitch.

Tottenham are now finally ready to cash in on the 28-year-old, and his World Cup exploits will not have done their price tag any harm.

With Romero now set to return from the World Cup, a move can be expected within the coming weeks.