More half-time emails<\/p>\n
\u201cI love that Rodri plays with his shirt tucked in. Class (am I showing my age?)\u201d \u2013 Norman Guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 19th-minute entry<\/a>, a good example of total $hit. I guess this is an in joke. Pity I have no idea what it is talking about. Sorry I have other things in my life\u201d \u2013 Steve Taylor.<\/p>\n \u201cHow big is your TV screen? Can you post a picture of yourself please? I am a Guardian fan, though\u201d \u2013 Annu.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Half-time postbag<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I see they\u2019re showing the muppets. And also Jim Henson\u2019s famous creations, etc\u201d \u2013 James Humphries.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t they have a two-hour concert with a penalty shoot-out at half-time, instead of this dross. Much more of this will cause me to lose the will to live. Out, at least, the will to carry on watching\u201d \u2013 Asia Narcizo.<\/p>\n \u201cYamal did not take his chance and the game has grinded into a scrappy match-up. Super Merino will be the one to win this game for Spain<\/a>. He\u2019s the one who can unlock this game\u201d \u2013 Imad Sabi.<\/p>\n \u201cSpain must be a nightmare to play against, like being suffocated by a boa constrictor. As its victim breathes out, the snake tightens the grip, making it more and more difficult to breathe. When Spain advance, they occupy every bit of space their opponents leave unguarded. It\u2019s undoubtedly impressive, but hard to warm to as a neutral\u201d \u2013 K\u00e1ri Tulinius.<\/p>\n \u201cDo we name this the bathtub derby\u201d \u2013 Krishnamoorthy V.<\/p>\n \u201cAt a watch party for refugees in our community in the Pacific Northwest, and every time Lamine Yamal touches the ball everyone under the age of 20 goes berserk. Messi will draw more attention in the second half, to be sure, but I think it\u2019s hard to underestimate the enthusiasm he has within the Muslim youth community in particular\u2026\u201d \u2013 Chris Amirault.<\/p>\n \u201cYour referencing Barry Davies\u2019 commentary from that \u201891 FA Cup Spurs Arsenal semi-final makes me think of my favourite Davies line from that game, after Lee Dixon had upended (I think) the late Justin Edinburgh. \u2018Well, if Lee Dixon\u2019s had a worse-timed tackle this season I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t see it. That really is a dreadful tackle for an international full-back\u2019\u201d \u2013 Martin Gamage.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to reassure Niall Mullen about the credibility of this World Cup<\/a>. As the great TV philosopher G. Costanza once said: It\u2019s not a lie if you believe it\u201d \u2013 Giovanni Cafagna.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.18 EDT<\/p>\n Half-time entertainment<\/p>\n Those of you who followed our liveblog of Switzerland v Canada<\/a> may remember a charming half-time poem written by Ollie, aged. 12. I\u2019m delighted to say he\u2019s written another poem for the final.<\/p>\n double quotation markWhat a sensational World Cup! Argentina v Spain for World Cup glory! In the semis, Spain made France look poor. Meanwhile, in the other game, England\u2019s run ended in tears Right now I feel I need a day off Spain v Argentina: the biggest match this year! He means the football, Gianni.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.09 EDT<\/p>\n It\u2019s time for the half-time show. I\u2019m going to to take a break but you can follow it all with the great Tom Lutz. See you back here in a couple of hours for the second half.<\/p>\n Yes, this is actually happening. Photograph: Michael Regan\/FIFA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.08 EDT<\/p>\n Half time: Spain 0-0 Argentina<\/p>\n A forgettable first half in New Jersey. Argentina<\/a> had no corners, no attempts at goal and no touches in the opposition area. Spain were much better in general play but struggled to create clear chances. It doesn\u2019t help that the pitch is dreadful.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.09 EDT<\/p>\n 45+2 min \u201cTelegram from the Department Of The Bleeding Obvious, but this match is crying out for a goal, as that will surely open it up,\u201d writes Guy Hornsby. \u201cSpain have all the possession and momentum, despite the stop\/start nature so far. A goal feels likely from only one team too, but how many times has that blown up in our know-it-all faces, Rob?\u201d<\/p>\n At last count, 714141325235234590.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.55 EDT<\/p>\n 45+1 min \u201cHello from a packed bar in NYC which I thought was leaning Argentina<\/a> but has slowly revealed itself to be going for Spain,\u201d writes Rachel Clifton. \u201cTrump and\/or Infantino getting booed hard every time they are on screen.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s not their fault the first half has been crap!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.55 EDT<\/p>\n 45 min Four minutes of added time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44 min: Argentina<\/a> substitution Nicolas Otamendi replaces Lisandro Martinez, who has pulled something and needs to go off. To go off injured in a World Cup final must be devastating for any footballer. Martinez, tough as old boots, is impassive as he limps round the touchline.<\/p>\n Lisandro Martinez goes off injured. Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.55 EDT<\/p>\n 43 min Cucurella uses the overlapping Baena by not using him \u2013 hat tip Barry Davies \u2013 and has a pop from the edge of the area. It rolls a few yards wide of the far post.<\/p>\n Spain have been the better team, no question, but Argentina<\/a> will be comfortable with how little Emi Martinez has had to do. The deeper this goes, the more Argentina winning mentalty will kick in. They\u2019ve got the collective will of Keyser Soze.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 min I knew they shouldn\u2019t have bothered with the football.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 41 min De Paul has a cross blocked by Cucurella after a relatively rare Argentina<\/a> attack. Spain break and Lisandro Martinez is booked for an entirely cynical foul on Oyarzabal. Might as well get it out of the way.<\/p>\n Lisandro Mart\u00ednez<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.48 EDT<\/p>\n 39 min Baena\u2019s quick pass forward is stabbed round the corner by Fabian Ruiz. Olmo dummies it \u2013 what a lovely player he is \u2013 and Oyarzabal drives a low shot from 20 yards is comfortably saved by Emi Martinez. He didn\u2019t quite get hold of it.<\/p>\n Mikel Oyarzabal has a decent effort on goal easily stopped by Emi Martinez. Photograph: Hannah McKay\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.50 EDT<\/p>\n 38 min \u201cI\u2019ve got a theory that if it wasn\u2019t for his hair, Cucurella would be more widely recognised as a mostly very calm, solid defender,\u201d writes James Humphries. \u201cCase in point: he cleared up that dodgy ball from Porro very neatly, but because of his barnet it looked like a spaniel hurling itself enthusiastically into a river in pursuit of a tennis ball. You watch, if he gets a short back and sides and becomes a manager it\u2019ll all be unfussy, sort the defence out and the rest will follow solidity.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s definitely something in that. It\u2019s probably both his hair and his hair-trigger temper, but he\u2019s a seriously good player.<\/p>\n Marc Cucurella<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.45 EDT<\/p>\n 36 min It\u2019s a pretty bitty game. I was going to say that suits Argentina<\/a> more than Spain, but after Wednesday I\u2019m not so sure.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 35 min \u201cI think you\u2019re being a bit modest after tipping Spain<\/a> to win it all along,\u201d says Andrew Goudie. \u201cDid you ever have any doubts?\u201d<\/p>\n Do I look like somebody who is susceptible to crushing doubt, whose entire existence has been defined by it? Do I?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 min Don\u2019t shoot the messenger, but this is rubbish.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 min The match is back under way, and with any luck we\u2019ll have some excitement in the second quarter.<\/p>\n Rodri gets closed down by Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Julian Alvarez AND Alexis Mac Allister. Argentina are pressing anything that moves. Photograph: James Lang\/IMAGN IMAGES\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.41 EDT<\/p>\n 26 min Here\u2019s something to read during the hydration break. Reading is good for the soul.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 25 min Time for the ad break.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 24 min Messi beats Rodri with a delightful touch and is pulled back. Rodri could easily have been booked for that, but he wasn\u2019t so what\u2019s your point?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 22 min Yamal\u2019s early shot remains the only attempt at goal, on or off target, by either side. Possession is roughly 63:37 in Spain\u2019s favour (sources vary).<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.32 EDT<\/p>\n 21 min It\u2019s not a classic, folks. But nor was the 2022 final at this stage and look how what turned out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 19 min Argentina are starting to leave a bit on some of the Spain players. Nothing extreme, just the occasional reminder that physical contact has the capacity to be uncomfortable.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 19 min \u201cA shaky start for Scotland,\u201d says Simon McMahon, \u201cbut just wait until Mac Allister gets going…\u201d<\/p>\n Jose Luis Brown scored in the 23rd minute of the 1986 final, so keep \u2018em peeled.<\/p>\n Scotland\u2019s Argentina\u2019s Jose Luis Brown scores the opening goal in the 1986 World Cup final. Photograph: PA Images\/AlamyShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.33 EDT<\/p>\n 17 min De Paul\u2019s driven free-kick just evades Gonzalez, who timed his run well and was in on goal. The angle made it tough for De Paul to play a pass like that.<\/p>\n Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.28 EDT<\/p>\n 15 min Messi receives a pass 45 yards from goal and is eased to the canvas by Baena. Apparently that was his second touch of the game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.22 EDT<\/p>\n 14 min Olmo rolls around after being fouled by the lunging Mac Allister near the halfway line. Not a great tackle, though not as bad as the reaction of the Spain<\/a> bench suggested. The referee decides against a yellow card.<\/p>\n Dani Olmo gets a late one from Alexis Mac Allister. Photograph: Carlos Barr\u00eda\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.29 EDT<\/p>\n 14 min Messiwatch: nothing much apart from that Unai Simon interception. He\u2019s quiet, too darned quiet, etc.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 13 min \u201cThere have been so many innovations in this World Cup<\/a>,\u201d writes Niall Mullen. \u201cThe match countdown; the advertising breaks; the Friday night at \u2018spoons music; the political interference; the interminable celebrity cut-away shots; the scandalous treatment of some teams, fans, and one referee; the dynamic pricing; the half-time show, the god awful rings; and the gnawing sense that unaccountable people have corrupted beyond recognition the thing you love in service of their own power and wealth while laughing at the stupidity of your inelastic demand.<\/p>\n \u201cOn the plus side\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 min Fabian Ruiz\u2019s cross from the left is turned behind a little awkwardly by Lisandro Martinez. Spain<\/a> are dominating possession now; they look so relaxed, as if they\u2019re playing a pre-season friendly or something.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> 10 min The pitch looks terrible and is playing weirdly. The ball is bobbling loads. Needs a watering during the hydration break.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 9 min That Emi Martinez save was better than I first realised. He was diving to his right when the ball deflected off Lisandro Martinez, but he adjusted his feet very quickly to block it. Yamal didn\u2019t quite get hold of the shot though.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min Spain are into their work now, with and without the ball. Their pressing is outstanding.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>5 min: Chance for Lamine Yamal!<\/p>\n Spain almost score with their first attack. Yamal\u2019s deflected pass infield reaches Olmo, who slips it neatly back towards the charging Yamal. His shot takes a deflection and is saved to his right by Emi Martinez.<\/p>\n Argentina break and Unai Simon runs 40 yards from goal to beat Messi to Alvarez\u2019s through ball. He unwittingly plays the ball straight back to Alvarez, who is unable to control it. Had he done so, Simon may well have had to watch the ball sail over him and into the net.<\/p>\n Lamine Yamal has an early effort for a lively Spain. Photograph: Bradley Collyer\/PA Photograph: Carl Recine\/Getty Images Photograph: Ashley Landis\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.20 EDT<\/p>\n 3 min Argentina have had most of the ball in the first few minutes. Nothing dangerous, nothing vicious, but their players will feel better for having some assured touches early on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2 min \u201cI just want to get this over with,\u201d says Charles Antaki. \u201cI don\u2019t mind who wins (actually I do very much mind who wins), so long as Emi \u2018Mr Antics\u2019 Mart\u00ednez makes some hilarious blunder, preferably resulting in an own goal. Also: take your pick of any of the less Queensberry rules Argentinian players getting sent off. Yes I know this is a deeply unsporting position, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n For the avoidance of doubt, and before anyone peppers my inbox, I couldn\u2019t care less who wins.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 1 min Six minutes later than advertised, Argentina<\/a> kick off from right to left as we watch.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Some red-faced bampot is shouting. Any chance of some football?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cRodri and Nico Williams are the two Welshest-sounding players in the whole tournament,\u201d says Matt Dony. \u201cSo, come on, Spain!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The two captains Rodri and Lionel Messi shake hands in the centre circle. We\u2019re only four minutes late, which in the circumstances represents a minor triumph.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNice New Jersey tribute from Robbie Williams,\u201d writes my colleague Gregg Bakowski, \u201cwhat with him coming dressed as Paulie Walnuts and all.\u201d<\/p>\n Oh!!!!<\/p>\n Paulie Walnuts was a loyal solider to Tony Soprano. Photograph: Anadolu\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n The footballers of Spain and Argentina (remember them?) are in the tunnel. I suppose a delayed kick-off in the World Cup final is nothing new; remember Rene van de Kerkhof\u2019s bandage in 1978<\/a>? Or was it Willy?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.57 EDT<\/p>\n Now Tom Cruise is out on the pitch, telling us that football \u201cturns strangers into friends\u201d. I\u2019d like to hear him proffer that opinion on a football special circa 1982<\/a>.<\/p>\n A surprising speech on the disastrous ID Card scheme proposed by the Thatcher Government in the 1980\u2019s by Tom Cruise. Photograph: Yuki Iwamura\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.07 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a bit of a surprise,\u201d writes Tim Woods, \u201cthat Folarin Balogun hasn\u2019t made either of the starting line ups.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ll be updating this little beauty throughout the day<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m provisionally giving this tournament a solid six out of ten, rising to seven if the final is a classic,\u201d writes Simon McMahon. \u201cVAR checks and interventions from the leader of the free world notwithstanding, of course. I fancy Scotland strongly to bring it home tonight and no, I\u2019m not still drunk after Dundee United channelled prime Pep\u2019s Barcelona when spanking Arbroath 3-0 at Tannadice last night in the Scottish League Cup. May the best team win! Bring on the hydration breaks! Come on Scotland!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger are now singing on stage. I thought they might sing \u2018Desire\u2019 so it\u2019s a major surprise to hear Robbie launch into his verse from Punk\u2019s Dead by Soft Play.<\/p>\n Sadly no \u2018Rock DJ\/Don\u2019t Cha medley. Photograph: Timothy A Clary\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.54 EDT<\/p>\n Never mind a delayed kick-off. Do we really need to bother with the game? Why should football get in the way a perfectly good festival of star-spangled horse pucky?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The second closing ceremony (sic) is late, and there is already speculation that the kick-off time will be delayed. Football: it\u2019s one big beautiful game.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cKudos on the biggest gig in the MBM calendar,\u201d writes Daniel Barnett. \u201cAs per Sid\u2019s piece on hot chocolate and croissants, can you talk us through your pre-match ritual? Any special foodstuffs or superstitions? Or just plenty of Tin? Good luck!\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019m not sure anybody needs a peek behind that particular curtain.<\/p>\n Live shot of the Guardian offices. Photograph: TwitterShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.50 EDT<\/p>\n ITV are reporting that there are growing queues outside the ground due to a glitch in the ticketing system. Great stuff.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.50 EDT<\/p>\n With apologies for any tone-lowering, perceived or actual, here\u2019s a bit of news from the England camp.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n
Two more games to wrap it up.
48 teams, now down to four.
Football\u2019s Big Apple munched down to the core.<\/p>\n
To finally end this thrilling story.
Messi\u2019s on the for the Golden Boot
But will Yamal finally score that beaut?<\/p>\n
They managed to shut out that deadly front four.
Spain\u2019s midfield held on to the ball
And Mbapp\u00e9 just couldn\u2019t answer the call.<\/p>\n
Thomas Tuchel took some blame
For putting five in at the back
When we really needed to attack!<\/p>\n
To the deafening sound of Argentine cheers.
Rooney, Hart and Richards dismayed
But admired the way that Messi played.<\/p>\n
To recover from that third place play-off.
What a game! Jude\u2019s skills were sick!
That banger from Rice! Bukayo\u2019s hat-trick!<\/p>\n
Hopefully it brings us lots to cheer.
Who will win it? I don\u2019t know\u2026
Please just give us a hell of a show!<\/p>\n![\"Jacob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784492593_774_Jacob-Steinberg,-L.png\")
Jacob Steinberg<\/p>\n