19/12/2022
AFA - Selección Argentina are deserved winner. They are talking a lot about and felt sorry for him and we too, because who doesn't want to lift the Cup after a hattrick performance. But, France were nowhere in the game in first 80 minutes.
It was departure of aging Angel Di María who played his part, and Argentine workhorses really got tired then he was only able to exploit the spaces. If Argentina bench would have the strength, he would still be suffocated. But, that's beauty of the game. You can't take anything away from the opponent until the final whistle is blown.
It was a beautiful game. It's like a film script. The director couldn't have done better to make it a superhit.
The lethal twilight duo had their say. The dream come true as we saw Di Maria crying when he left the pitch. Then comes Messi's error when he gave away the ball as we have see many times in the past. Mbappe ruthlessly take a bang on strike with precision. Nicolas Ottamendi got punished as he got carried away to offer France the ultimate prize and Mbappe at his age showing maturity converted the penalty with calmness and brutal force.
Extra time also kept the drama alive. It wasn't a boring defensive game.
Spectators around the world were on their feet, heart rate pumping, getting goosebumps. Team Messi thought they had the final say when little talisman got his historic goal, not the best he has ever scored but vital. Then referee comes with his own ace offering penalty for a handball which could have been avoided and you know Mbappe never going to miss on his day.
But, the hero of this World Cup was Emiliano Martinez. He is a character surely. He has confidence in himself as he told his teammates, " don't worry, I'm going to save some penalties. You just do your job."
The man from Aston Villa, a club which name you'll hardly find when World Cup finalists have been talked about, rise on the occasion.
Argentina were not the better team from their past failed attempts but they surely were more united.
The younger one's who haven't earned enough for their family and made names had the hunger or desire to achieve something for themselves and their hero whom they have idolize during their growing years.
Likes of Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandes, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, and Mac Allister knows it's going to change their lives. The world football has never heard about them because they have yet to play for fancy football clubs and big names.
But, they have upsurge on global stage. Now, the world had witness them. They'll surely be watched closely now and going to make big money moves in upcoming transfer windows.
The legend got his final reward. But, I hope he's not going to hang his boots. He has still game left in him. And, I know the best version of Messi is not a goal scorer or dribbler. It's footballing brain and passing ability. He can play deep lying midfield and orchestrate the game just like Andre Pirlo. Pirlo dominated the game in his old days. Messi can do better with less foot moving.
