Argentina VS France: Final

[Marty]

You must get your gear from incredibly close to the source

He's been trolling all tournament. I just ignore him.

 

[XIIIMPC]

Was there live. Only just recovered. What an absolute privilege.

 

[1882andallthat]

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

No I suspect not, I just wasn't sure what could happen if it persisted so I checked the rules out.

Maybe the refs warn goalkeepers that if they continue to do this amd ignore warnings then that's what can happen, because Martinez definitely refrained from it after the yellow card was given to him. As you said, I doubt very much whether the ref would have actually carried out the threat, but maybe the bluff is enough to stop it.

That all said, nothing should take away the fact that his excellent performance certainly tipped the scales Argentina's way. Some of the France players looked as awkward taking them as some of the England players were in the Euro final against Italy. So there is very much something that can be said that translates from the confident demeanour and psychology and mind games a goalkeeper can play at this stage. The body language of both sets of players at this very last stage could not have been more contrasting. Many of France players stepped up nervously and were clearly intimidated by the keeper and the occasion, whilst the Argentinian players positively embraced the pressure of the shoot out.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Madrid were extremely smart in snapping up both Tchoumeni and Camavinga, those two are going to be incredible together for years to come. Overlooked because of Mbappe, but Tchoumeni had an unbelievable tournament.

 

[easley91]

In pictures: Argentina celebrates as Messi joins Maradona in bringing home World Cup

Millions of Argentinians breathed a collective sigh of relief after their side's dramatic World Cup win - before letting loose on the streets of Buenos Aires in celebration.

news.sky.com

Just once I want us to win the World Cup so I can experience something like this.

 

[XIIIMPC]

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

He got the yellow way too late. At that point in the tournament a yellow didn't really matter, so they should have booked him for it immediately. I think he only got it after the third pen.

 

[DanoCanuck]

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.

Forget Hand of God, Goal of the Century epitomizes Maradona. I’ve probably watched it 100 times and it’s a perfect illustration of Maradona’s skill. If that goal was scored today it would be front page news everywhere. Messi has done a lot of amazing things and his case for GOAT is incredibly strong but once you see the Goal of the Century you’ll be thinking twice about it.

 

[nailsy]

Forget Hand of God, Goal of the Century epitomizes Maradona. I’ve probably watched it 100 times and it’s a perfect illustration of Maradona’s skill. If that goal was scored today it would be front page news everywhere. Messi has done a lot of amazing things and his case for GOAT is incredibly strong but once you see the Goal of the Century you’ll be thinking twice about it.

I'm sure Messi scored an almost identical goal.

Edit. Here you go. Sorry about the music.

 

[chrissivad]

 

[tevezito]

In pictures: Argentina celebrates as Messi joins Maradona in bringing home World Cup

Millions of Argentinians breathed a collective sigh of relief after their side's dramatic World Cup win - before letting loose on the streets of Buenos Aires in celebration.

news.sky.com

Just once I want us to win the World Cup so I can experience something like this.

It's been incredible. I can still hear people singing out in the street as I write. And the wife is at the Obelisk. Players come home tomorrow and will coach around the whole city. And it's been decreed a bank holiday.

 

[tevezito]

No I suspect not, I just wasn't sure what could happen if it persisted so I checked the rules out.

Maybe the refs warn goalkeepers that if they continue to do this amd ignore warnings then that's what can happen, because Martinez definitely refrained from it after the yellow card was given to him. As you said, I doubt very much whether the ref would have actually carried out the threat, but maybe the bluff is enough to stop it.

That all said, nothing should take away the fact that his excellent performance certainly tipped the scales Argentina's way. Some of the France players looked as awkward taking them as some of the England players were in the Euro final against Italy. So there is very much something that can be said that translates from the confident demeanour and psychology and mind games a goalkeeper can play at this stage. The body language of both sets of players at this very last stage could not have been more contrasting. Many of France players stepped up nervously and were clearly intimidated by the keeper and the occasion, whilst the Argentinian players positively embraced the pressure of the shoot out.

Dibu's psychologist is one of the most popular people in the country at the moment.

 

[olliec]

I'm sure Messi scored an almost identical goal.

Edit. Here you go. Sorry about the music.

Actually I think Messi’s is better.

 

[Marty]

Actually I think Messi’s is better.

Yeah but Messi's is in a run of the mill league game they won at a canter and not the winning goal in a World Cup quarter final. Context matters IMO.

 

[dirtyh]

Actually I think Messi’s is better.

yup, have always thought that whilst a fabulous goal, the defending was utterly shambolic (at least 2 players just sell themselves making it easy to get beaten) and in today's game he'd never have made it across the halfway line without someone taking him out via a tactical foul. check out ronaldinho's goal(s) for barcelona against madrid too, some of the greatest goals you'll ever see, done at such speed and precision.

 

[tevezito]

Yeah but Messi's is in a run of the mill league game they won at a canter and not the winning goal in a World Cup quarter final. Context matters IMO.

yup, have always thought that whilst a fabulous goal, the defending was utterly shambolic.

And remember that the context of that goal was that the England team had just been mentally destroyed by one of the worst refereeing decisions of all time. Context definitely matters, but goes both ways.

 

[nferno]

I'm sure Messi scored an almost identical goal.

Edit. Here you go. Sorry about the music.

literally burst out laughing upon reading “sorry about the music”, knowing full-well what sort of backing track it would be

 

[tototoner]

 

[rossdapep]

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

...and Salt bae

 

[HNIM]

Wow. Almost as big as Trump's inauguration crowd.

 

[Marty]

Which of course descended into chaos, people kept trying to jump onto the bus and the players had to be airlifted out.

Argentina's World Cup celebrations descend into chaos in Buenos Aires as fans clash with police

Football journalist Tim Vickery told Sky News there were people trying to jump from bridges onto the bus carrying Argentina's national team as millions gathered in the capital.

news.sky.com

It has also been confirmed that a 24 year old man died in the crush.

Rhetorical-ish question but at what point did humanity reach a state where people no longer can just celebrate without causing massive crushes and dangerous situations? Was it this bad there in 78 or 86?