The most piercing comment during the Spain-Argentina World Cup match was made by a former footballer: “If Spain had played Arambagh, the local football club, instead of Argentina, it would have been far more exhilarating.”
The line, of course, was said in half frustration and half in a mood of levity, seeing the total disarray of the Albiceleste in front of an immaculate Spain. If a list is made on one-sided games, the World Cup final 2026 between Spain and Argentina would be on top.
The morning after the game, millions of football fans and football lovers, were left asking: what did we just watch?
Some are calling it a complete farce while others are using a little imagination saying: The battle cry of the Armada destroyed the Latino rhythm. Whichever way one wants to describe it, the final line remains: Spain played better, stuck to their plan, got the goal, won the game and the trophy.
Argentina, on the other hand, looked disoriented, resorted to cynical tackling, got a red card, played lamentably and lost. Credit to the Argentine keeper Martinez who, as we saw, was kept busy, making around 11 saves until his luck ran out.
How much can one man do!
That was the expression on his face when Torres scored the only goal in the second half of the added thirty minutes.
Argentina, a team which had played totally defensive almost all throughout the match, tried in the last ten minutes to bring back their blitz style of offence which they are known to do after falling behind. However, it was too little too late because Spain had come to the field after studying their Latino opponents.
Messi tried but when the team fails to play as a cohesive unit, there’s little he can do on his own. This final match is something Argentina will surely want to forget.
They were a shadow of the team which had adopted the ‘never say die’ approach all throughout the tournament and on the final day, all that ‘Gung Ho’ approach simply unravelled.
So, why such an appalling performance?
Some are blaming the pressure of winning the trophy a second consecutive time, others are pointing to the cynical style of play while a few, point to the red card which had a demoralising impact.
No doubt Spain was swashbuckling, Argentina, on the other hand, shambolic.
Firstly, it was not necessary to commit so many fouls. In a World Cup final, getting a red card is the pronouncement of ultimate doom.
Secondly, Argentina seemed too intimidated by Spanish attacks, sticking to the outer D Box.
In the whole match, we hardly saw the face of the Spanish goalkeeper. He was probably busy making plans for the party that would follow.
In the end, the answer is in one simple line: it was not Argentina’s day.
I have said several times before, football prowess, strategy, tactics are 90 per cent of a winning formula but that remaining 10 per cent is divine providence.
Were the stars in favour, did the Gods in Mount Olympus give their blessings?
Zeus and his lot were behind Argentina all throughout the tournament, but on the last day, seemed to have changed their mind. Without help from up there, the mere mortal cannot do much!
Splendid show Spain, kudos to Argentina for coming to the final for two consecutive World Cup tournaments. The Armada goes back home triumphant, with two stars and hopes of adding another one.
