How Argentina can defy logic to beat Spain and win tantalising World Cup final
|
It's finally time. After 103 matches of this record-breakingly big World Cup, we're ready for the 104th and by far the most important. The World Cup final awaits. Spain against Argentina with history on the line and a chance to become a legend.
Argentina have been here recently, beating France in perhaps the greatest final of all time four years ago in Qatar, and are looking to secure the rarest of feats – back-to-back World Cup wins, while adding to Lionel Messi's iconic status in the process. Spain won this tournament in 2010 and are reigning European champions – they've reclaimed their football identity and now enter as favourites.
Our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney sets the scene for a day unlike any other in sport and lays out the Argentina formula that can defy logic and sink the Spanish. Miguel has also delved into the idea that Argentina are a 'dirty' team and dissects their controversial strategy, while also relishing the prospect of Messi vs Lamine Yamal – the greatest of all time and the next 'best player in the world' going head to head, with a remarkable shared history that may never be repeated.
Meanwhile, Senior Football Correspondent Richard Jolly has argued that while Messi gets the plaudits, it is in fact Rodri who has been the best player at this World Cup. Rodri's tournament has produced no goals and no assists because his role is altogether more unglamorous but he serves as the ultimate reminder that football is actually a team game and may hold the key to tonight's final.
Finally, the 'bronze final' remains a pointless endeavour that should be retired by Fifa but if you're going to insist on a futile exercise, it might as well be fun, and England's ludicrous 6-4 victory over France on Saturday evening was certainly that.
A 4-0 half-time lead was suddenly reduced to 4-3 before the midway point of the second 45, with Kylian Mbappe becoming the World Cup's all-time top goalscorer in the process, but England hit back to claim victory in a wild encounter. Yet, as Richard Jolly wrote, the Three Lions were left with a sense of regret. Where was this expansive, attacking, dynamic display three days prior against Argentina? They played like World Cup winners too late.
Thomas Tuchel can argue that this is officially England’s most successful World Cup since 1966: with six victories and, unlike in 1990 or 2018, winning the third-place play-off. But that only served to underline what might have been.
|
|
|
|
|
Luke Baker | Deputy Sports Editor
|
|
|
Upcoming fixtures (just one left...)
|
- 8pm BST – Spain 🇪🇸 v Argentina 🇦🇷 (Final) - BBC One, BBC iPlayer, ITV1 and ITVX.
|
|
|
Inside England’s World Cup collapse: Why Tuchel’s tactics stunned Argentina and Spain
|
Bemused opposition players and coaches, stunned reactions from Spain, and an FA still convinced it all went to plan – Miguel Delaney picks apart the tactical collapse that shocked football, in his latest Inside Football newsletter.
Also inside:
|
|
|
|
|
- Argentina players laughing at English approach
- Spain shared Argentina’s bemusement, as they were wary of English pace
- Widespread shock around football, as virtually no one – outside the FA – agrees with Tuchel’s approach
- Spanish federation believe England didn’t learn the full lesson of the coaching revolution
- Lionel Scaloni weighing up big midfield decision
|
|
|
|
|
New members enjoy their first month of Inside Football completely FREE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
England finally play like World Cup winners – just three days too late...
|
When England played like World Cup winners, it was after the World Cup had already been lost. In a confusing, chaotic game, instead of going for gold, they brought home bronze.
For 45 minutes, England played like world-beaters; for 45, like a team who could be beaten from 4-0 up. By the end, Bukayo Saka had become just the fourth Englishman to score a World Cup hat-trick, joining Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham had made them the first team ever to score six goals against France in this competition.
But a result that would have been celebrated euphorically in another context should come with a sense of regret: given that they have only performed fitfully, where was this England against Argentina? Or even against Norway, DR Congo, Panama and Ghana?
A vibrant, dynamic display suggested that actually this could be part of their DNA, whatever Thomas Tuchel has said to the contrary.
Read Richard Jolly's full piece here.
And here's a selection of your comments about the frenzied third-place playoff:
|
|
|
|
|
Currently, England are a semi final team. But the playoff was a credit to both France and England. A great game and I hope French supporters are not too disappointed. Brilliant for Saka, given the racist abuse he received as a kid for his penalty miss in the Euros final. Racist knuckledraggers: this is our England – get over it! Hope Spain nail it in the final.
MajorClanger
Well done England, loved that game. I expect we will end this World Cup much happier than Argentina, once they lose tomorrow. Poor Messi, feel for him. Not!
UrEntitled2MyOpinion
Fantastic match, and played in a great spirit. Goals galore, no gamesmanship. Loved it.
AdamDelver
Well, at least it was great fun to watch.
Neuendorf
|
|
|
|
|
England are out - the same story but at a greater expense? |
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Richard Jolly in New Jersey and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta to react to England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.
|
|
|
|
|
England are out - the same story but at a greater expense? |
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Richard Jolly in New Jersey and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta to react to England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us
|
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email
You are currently registered to receive The Independent's World Cup Insider newsletter.
To unsubscribe from The Independent's Inside Sport newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.
This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
0 comentários:
Postar um comentário