World Cup Final Takeaways

Photo by Julio Cortez from The Associated Press

Every four years, the World Cup reminds me that, despite the modern style of possession, build up, and waiting for the absolute perfect opportunity to shoot annoying me so much about soccer, this sport still is fantastic.

And now, we wait another four years for it.

But we have one more game to discuss.

Spain defeats Argentina 1-0

Spain came into this game with the best defense.

They didn’t have the household names that the 2010 Spanish team that won the World Cup did, and I feel that, apart from Rodri, and we’ll see where Lamine Yamal’s career takes him, this team won’t have guys remembered as some of the all time greats like they had with Iniesta, Xavi, Ramos, Casillas, etc.

Their defense was incredible, and they had their best game against France, who many considered to be the other top team in the tournament, in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Argentina was a good team that got to the Final by continuously pulling it out, but often playing with fire.

They had comeback wins against Egypt and England.

They had closer than it should have been extra time victories against Cape Verde and Switzerland.

Does this sound familiar at all?

It should, because this was the Super Bowl back in February.

The Seattle Seahawks defense did not have the Legion of Boom recognition, but they clearly had the best defense.

They got to the final with the game of their lives against the Rams to get to the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile the Patriots, who were obviously talented, had a close game against the Chargers despite a horrible game from Justin Herbert, a close game against the Texans, despite a horrible game from CJ Stroud, and a close game against the Broncos, despite the Broncos starting a backup quarterback.

And if you remember that Super Bowl, you’ll remember that that game was not close.

It was close for a while, in theory, as the Seahawks didn’t score a touchdown until early in the 4th quarter, but you knew from watching that game that it wasn’t close.

The Seahawks defense was so dominant in that game, that there was never a threat of the Patriots winning that game.

That is exactly how the World Cup Final went.

Spain didn’t score until the 106th minute in extra time.

That didn’t matter.

Argentina was not going to win this game.

Argentina became the first World Cup Finalist to not have a shot on goal in the final in 90 minutes.

And it’s not just a shot on goal.

They didn’t have a shot, at all.

Spain didn’t give them a sniff of the goal.

They didn’t even give them the possibility for a long range strike.

Luis De La Fuente deserves the respect. The Spanish team deserves the respect.

And even though this Spanish team may not be remembered in terms of individual talent, they will be remembered as the team that gave up 1 goal all tournament, which is a World Cup record.

And they did it despite playing an extra game than previous World Cups.

Lionel Messi’s World Cup career is likely over, and what a career it was.

But it’s the Spanish who for the next four years can consider themselves champions of the world.