Argentina performed a miracle just getting there; they were only the second defending champions (after Brazil in 1998 and France in 2022) in the last 30 years to reach the decider again. And they had to do it the hard way; extra time against Cape Verde, 2-0 down against Egypt with less than 15 minutes to play, extra time against Switzerland and trailing England with six minutes of normal time on the clock. It was crazy stuff; they rode their luck – and benefited from some decisions – but showed incredible resilience.
Monday was a bridge too far, against a Spanish team who had a more serene path to the final and a day longer to prepare. And Spain, like their 2010 predecessors, are a step ahead of everyone. They have evolved their pass-and-move game – to be even swifter – but it is their defensive structure that catches the eye, as they are so hard to break down.
Lionel Messi (left) had limited impact on the final. Photo / Photosport
This final was never going to be a classic, though it could have opened up if Argentina scored first. But that was less likely as the match progressed, with their positional discipline and unwillingness to commit numbers forward.
We have also been spoiled by the last two finals. The decider in 2022 was an all-time classic – perhaps the best World Cup match ever played – as both France and Argentina forgot the occasion and attacked with endeavour and verve (3-3, before penalties). 2018 in Russia was also a beauty, with six goals and plenty of drama.
But otherwise, finals can be “one moment” games, with a lot of duels and not too many jewels. The 2010 decider was forgettable, as the Dutch tried to hack their way to an unlikely title (though had one golden chance). The 2006 final was also far from an epic: a stalemate between France and Italy. 1998 was strangely one-sided, as Brazil never turned up, while 1994 was a stodgy, uninspiring affair, given the talent on the field.
And 1990 was the worst of the lot, a spiteful match between an understrength and undermanned Argentina and a mechanical West German side. Back then, Diego Maradona – who was carrying an injury – could barely get in the game, like Messi, while Argentina had a player sent off, then got caught up in an ugly fracas at the final whistle, copping another red card.
Argentina, rightly, will be criticised for their conduct on Monday, as they showed their ugly side. They push the limits and have rough edges, though you have to also admire their passion, their hunger, their fight, something that is the envy of most nations.
Despite an economy that is constantly in chaos, despite all the poverty and social problems, despite most of their squad having to play in Europe, they keep producing. They are the only non-European nation to reach a final in the last 20 years and have done so on three occasions (2014, 2022 and 2026), more than any other country apart from France.
Argentina’s players were dejected after the World Cup final. Photo / Photosport
Argentina went for an unusual tactical recipe on Monday but would have felt on track at the end of 90 minutes, knowing they had played and won more extra-time contests at the World Cup than any other team (11/13 before Monday) in history.
But the Spanish symphony got their reward, with an unmatched display of precision, panache and skill. They were also patient and willing to persevere as Argentina hung on grimly.
And in the end, as the late Brian Clough would have observed, they won it “the right way”.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
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