The red card was deserved.

Football 1 Felons 0. It took extra-time to get there but, thank goodness, the sport prevailed. Spain won the World Cup and we are all better for that. Football is better for that. It needed Spain to win this final.

For all of Lionel Messi’s brilliance, his biggest contribution in this final was to try and get Spain’s Marc Cucurella sent off for covering his mouth in retribution after Enzo Fernandez was rightly dismissed in the added time of normal time.

Messi and Argentina deserved nothing because they did nothing as they became the first World Cup finalists not even to have a shot in normal time. Nothing apart from foul and foul and foul. In the first-half they had more fouls – nine – than passes in the final third of the pitch – eight. This was nasty, depressing anti-football. And it got what it deserved.

The goal came in the second period of extra-time with Spain’s brilliant winger, Nico Williams, who should have started, heading back a Pedro Porro cross for another replacement, Ferran Torres, to lash high into the net. What a relief.

Spain should have won far more comfortably but the European champions lived up to the claim made by their coach Luis de la Fuente and proved they are the best team in the world as they won this tournament for the second time and for the first since 2010.

They always have been and always will be. Their rough, chippy play coupled with their continuous diving at the slightest hint of contact have made me despise them for years. Calling back that second Spanish goal because of the Argentinian defender's theatrics was a joke. It was a good goal. Argentina do not compete honestly and somehow they get rewarded for it. I have no idea how they have gotten away with it for generations. It's nice to see the rest of the world finally catching on but I doubt FIFA will change anything.

Yesterday's game was an awful display, especially compared to the glorious 3rd place game on Saturday. England and France showed how good the game can be when skill is encouraged and on full display, only for Argentina to play so negative in the final.

The only highlight from yesterday's game, in my opinion, was Shakira. Holy smoke show. Waka Waka indeed.

Soccer needs reform!

(no message)

card and red card later, then Argentina hold tie in OT with 11 players which is very likely, and Argentina win the PK shootout. This scenario would make soccer game a joke. It almost becomes true.

(no message)

Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOpM1hNXUvY&feature=youtu.be

(no message)