Match Between Argentina and Spain Has Killed Futbol For Me Another 4 Years
If you like soccer (futbol) you may want to divert your eyes now. My opinion on last night’s game may not be taken kindly by you. Nearly the biggest highlight I enjoyed while watching the Spain vs. Argentina World Cup Final yesterday was seeing Victor Wembanyama appear on the television. The game was not mesmerizing and felt more like watching 10-Y U.S Treasury yields trade. I prefer other sports like rugby, baseball, American football and basketball I admit.
Credit to Spain, they won 1-0 and completely suffocated Argentina for a vast majority of the match. Spain completely dominated the ball during most of its World Cup 2026 games. La Roja allowed one goal during the entirety of the tournament.
One score from Belgium in the quarter-final upon Spain was the only offender. Yes, that is astounding. Spain is a terrific team, however for myself yesterday’s game versus Argentina would have been better spent reading a book. There is nothing quite like watching soccer develop into a chess match for field dominance, it is a bit like watching professional boxers circle their opponents and not throwing a punch. Forgive me for wanting more action.
South Africa farm land in the Western Cape outside of Worcester
I had little skin in the game. I root for Argentina because members of my family and plenty of my friends are fans of La Albiceleste. I enjoy their brand of soccer too admittedly, it is rough and tumble, and there is also Messi.
During the match I found myself hoping Argentina’s lack of attack was a tactical. A strategy to make Spain tired, and to try and capitalize on a Spanish mistake with a counter-attack and score a decisive goal. This never materialized because Spain simply kept the ball away from Argentina with extremely capable possession play including skillful passing.
Argentina’s aggressive defensive play while keeping nearly nine players back along with their goaltender (and Messi lurking around midfield waiting for a chance) left them vulnerable most of the match. Argentina didn’t record a shot on goal most of the game. It was like watching a no-hitter being pitched in baseball by the opposing pitcher.
The chances Spain got on Argentina’s net were only stopped in many cases by the superior goalkeeping of Dibu Martinez. Spain could have justifiably been ahead 2 to 0 at the end of 90 minutes. But they weren’t winning, though their victory did feel inevitable.
Zero to zero at the 93rd minute (during stoppage time) Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a rather aggressive challenge on Pau Cubarsi, some will call it reckless. Fernandez had already received a yellow card previously in the match and was dismissed with the second.
Why do World Cup final matches have to end with players getting sent off and influencing the outcome? Zidane in the 2006 Final as France then lost to Italy and culminated into drama that influenced the outcome. Yes, I know penalties are part of the game, but this absurdity seems better suited for theater.
The death rolls via feigned injuries and constant arguing with referees in an exaggerated manner make for too much nonsense in my opinion. Perhaps people will say the extracurricular activities are part of the spectacle. The money I paid for streaming the game last night (my time and my problem) made me feel like I was being ripped off. Had I not invested in the game, and had it not included Argentina and Lionel Messi I would have walked away.
During the final five minutes of extra-time the game became passionate and watchable. Argentina pressed ahead and had a couple of opportunities to tie the match. But alas, no goal, only disappointment. The first handful of minutes after the game included watching Messi sit on the turf of the MetLife stadium and taking in the moment. What was Messi contemplating? We are unlikely to see him on the pitch as a player in a World Cup again, he will be missed. Time passes for everyone.