A touch of Messi genius saved the game going to extra time.
For half an hour Tuchel’s “parking the bus” worked. But you have to keep the counter-punch possibility otherwise you come under too much pressure. As events proved.
Making the semifinals was a good performance but it’s disappointing to have missed out again.
The final really is a coin toss. Both teams seem to be coming into best form.
I think there's a sense of history repeating itself, which makes people feel angry. England play OK, score a goal, then go into their shell, then lose, we've seen this before. I can see bitter comments, that Southgate is still in situ. The beauty of footie, eh? The check-out lady in Waitrose was ranting about it.
It’s something when a football journalist can tell current footballers “I remember your father” but I expect he can remember some of their grandfathers.
1-0 is not a "lead" at this level. I know damn all about football but I was appalled that England went straight into "defend the lead" mode after they'd scored, and the substitutions backed up that disastrous approach.
For those who haven’t seen the England v France World Cup third place match, don’t miss it. It wasn’t perfect, but it was watching (unless you’re a manager).
Spain deserved to win. It almost looked as though Argentina were playing for a penalty shootout right from the start. And many of them lost with bad grace. Whereas Spain played football! It was,better for football that they won.
The better side won. I would have been very annoyed indeed if Argentina had managed to squeak the penalty shoot out after doing nothing but defend for two hours.
The better side won. I would have been very annoyed indeed if Argentina had managed to squeak the penalty shoot out after doing nothing but defend for two hours.
I’m sure they “Played for penalties” as they didn’t have a shot on goal until Spain scored. After that, they had one really tricky chance but that came to nothing.
I am so pleased Spain won. Goals win matches but your defence will win the tournament.
Comments
For half an hour Tuchel’s “parking the bus” worked. But you have to keep the counter-punch possibility otherwise you come under too much pressure. As events proved.
Making the semifinals was a good performance but it’s disappointing to have missed out again.
The final really is a coin toss. Both teams seem to be coming into best form.
He’s been reporting on the World Cup almost as long as I have been alive.
Wow! My parents hadn't even met when he first reported on a football World Cup. I am impressed at the length of his career.
Unless Messi manages to put 3 past Spain (unlikely I think) Mbappé gets the consolation of the Golden Boot.
I’m sure they “Played for penalties” as they didn’t have a shot on goal until Spain scored. After that, they had one really tricky chance but that came to nothing.
I am so pleased Spain won. Goals win matches but your defence will win the tournament.
Then Spain did a Tuchel for about 10 minutes. It might have cost them but fortunately it didn’t.
The real pity is that Argentina can play. I just can’t understand their negativity and cynicism.