Argentina VS France: Final

[cwy21]

I wonder what the Fox TV viewing figures were for these WC games after the USA went out.

Up about 43% in the semifinals compared to 2018. That doesn't include whatever viewership the Spanish language Channel had.

 

[Entomologist]

Agree with this 100%. Maradonna almost single handed won the Scudetta for an average Napoli team and the WC for an also average Argentina team in 1986(Hand of God notwithstanding). I would rate him as the greatest of all time because of that(Pele played for Brazil teams that were probably the best National teams ever, apart from the 1966 version).

Would it be fair to say George Best played on worse pitches and balls that could get heavier?

 

[kmk]

Look at this tweet from 2015.

 

[Amo]

Look at this tweet from 2015.

I mean hasn’t he basically predicted Argentina will win the World Cup, just in a lot more words?

 

[h2005]

Maradona was always for me the greatest. After today Messi is at least on a par. So lucky to have seen both play.

 

[bubble07]

I reckon messi will be in the squad for the next world cup but hardly play

 

[ralvy]

WIl be funny if Messi misses the pen that wins France the cup - just sayin

Stop wishing for Messi to become Kane, you should be wishing the exact opposite actually.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

 

[rossdapep]

I still can't believe he did that. The expression on his face after as if he forgot for a moment where he was

 

[PrettyColors]

Embarrassing tbh

 

[Led's Zeppelin]

Agree with this 100%. Maradonna almost single handed won the Scudetta for an average Napoli team and the WC for an also average Argentina team in 1986(Hand of God notwithstanding). I would rate him as the greatest of all time because of that(Pele played for Brazil teams that were probably the best National teams ever, apart from the 1966 version).

Having seen them both over many years I have no doubt that Messi is the better player. It’s close but I’m not in doubt.

I saw Pele a few times too. Not enough to make a sensible comparison, and I was probably too young then to judge.

But of all the players I’ve seen since the mid to late 60s to today, and that’s a lot of players, no one in my opinion quite compares with the range and breadth and consistency of skill of Messi and his ability to do things that seem either impossible or inexplicable, and often both. Time after time. No one.

 

[HNIM]

FIFA and the Qataris will take full credit for what the players did in the final hour today.

 

[DenverSpur]

Having seen them both over many years I have no doubt that Messi is the better player. It’s close but I’m not in doubt.

I saw Pele a few times too. Not enough to make a sensible comparison, and I was probably too young then to judge.

But of all the players I’ve seen since the mid to late 60s to today, and that’s a lot of players, no one in my opinion quite compares with the range and breadth and consistency of skill of Messi and his ability to do things that seem either impossible or inexplicable, and often both. Time after time. No one.

I agree with you about the skill levels of Messi many of which were on display in this WC. His assist for the 3rd goal against Croatia in the semi final was a sublime example of what he is capable of. He’s on a different level.

Nevertheless this is the first year in his international career, which spans, what 18 years, in which he has helped Argentina to win trophies- Copa America and now The World Cup. It has to be said that as well as he’s played in this WC and todays final he was ably supported by some outstanding performances from team mates especially MacAllister, De Paul and Fernandez in midfield and the selfless running of Alvarez.

The reason I believe Maradona
is the greatest of all time is not down purely to his skill level but rather to his charismatic ability to basically put an average team on his back and carry them to victory. It’s easy for a great player to display his greatness when he is surrounded by really good players but it is an exceptionally great player who can use his skill and personality to carry a team of average players to glory. That’s what Maradona did with Naples leading them to their only 2 league titles, the first one part of a league and cup double, plus a European trophy.

That’s what he did In the 1986 WC where he not only led Argentina to victory, dominating all of their team stats but completely dominated the whole tournament like no other player has ever done before or since. Without being anywhere near his best he nearly inspired Argentina to victory in the 1990 WC only losing to West Germany in the Final through a very controversial penalty.

Messi is a great player, the likes of which we are unlikely to see again and I was really pleased to see him deservedly win the WC but he has never had the charismatic effect on a team or tournament that Maradona did.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Embarrassing tbh

Amazing goalie, but came across as a bit simple. Once a gooner, I guess...

 

[1882andallthat]

As a minor point I was wondering what could potentially happen if Martinez kept up his antics in the penalty shoot out after his yellow card for deliberately throwing the ball away and going up to the French players to psyche them out.

After checking the rules out I've discovered that a goalkeeper can be sent off during a penalty shoot out, say he gets a second yellow. The rules say that the goalkeeper can only be replaced by another player who finished the game, there can't be a substitution to bring on another goalkeeper.

 

[glacierSpurs]

As a minor point I was wondering what could potentially happen if Martinez kept up his antics in the penalty shoot out after his yellow card for deliberately throwing the ball away and going up to the French players to psyche them out.

After checking the rules out I've discovered thay a goalkeeper can be sent off during a penalty shoot out, say he gets a second yellow The rules say that the goalkeeper can only be replaced by another player who finished the game, there can't be a substitution to bring on another goalkeeper.

No ref will ever has that balls to do that, not to an Argentina with Messi especially.

 

[Wig]

FIFA and the Qataris will take full credit for what the players did in the final hour today.

They can and will say anything they like, but no one will listen.

 

[DJS]

The black robe looked like it was from Harry Potter lol.

Wonder what Kane would have done if we’d won it after all the armband controversey? ??

 

[spursfan1991]

Wow what a fantastic final, it was fitting that Qatar got the greatest final of all time. They were a great host and it was good to see the matches were of high standard. I think Lloris should have done better on penalty shootout but Martinez should have saved 2 of Mbappes penalties.

Either way, great tournament and a final. Hopefully we will see more tournaments in this region and winter too.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Wow what a fantastic final, it was fitting that Qatar got the greatest final of all time. They were a great host

You must get your gear from incredibly close to the source