And apologies if I’ve come across as aggressive. Please believe me it’s not aimed at you. I’m just gutted.
Same, sorry, I know how it feels.
This was the Obelisk:
https://i.imgur.com/vkVD7J6.mp4
A kind person took a photo of me and my sister in the celebrations:
They were never known as Kicks from the Penalty Spot, always from “the Mark”, but I see that the current LOTG now just refer to it as “penalties”. I agree with you, though. They’re not penalties, because they’re not a result of a foul. In the US, they’re frequently called “PKs”, which is subject to derision elsewhere in the world.
I can’t watch this upcoming final. Spain and Argentina, two of the most annoying fanbases in sports, ugh…
(I don’t mean you, Frodo)
Thought the booing during the national anthems set the tone as expected. My Welsh wife was genuinely shocked at the animosity on show in the first half, she hadn’t quite appreciated what a grudge match this was, she thought I was exaggerating.
Back at work today, we have a spotify playlist of break-up songs playing in the studio just to make everyone feel worse. Anyway, Viva Espana.
Once the anthems were done, on the pitch the tone was set with that arm/hand into the back of Anderson’s neck, as clear a yellow as you’ll see but as the ref let them get away with it, it was obvious Argentina would keep doing it all half. I almost laughed when England were the team that got the first yellow. England tried to play but any time they got hold of the ball it was basically ‘let’s foul them’. I think Simeone must’ve set some sort of record.
Second half, once England went ahead and Argentina realised that had to come out and actually play football, they were miles better, although it probably helped that England decided to set up camp about 11 yards from the goal line and forgot they were allowed to attack. The turnaround was inevitable to be honest and by the end we were well beaten, undeserving of going through. Such a missed opportunity though (story of our history).
Sunday’s final with Spain, not exactly averse to rolling around in ‘agony’, is going to take shithousery to new highs (should that be lows?). If there’s actually football played then I’d expect Spain to win, but will Argentina try the same tactics to wind them up? Not sure that will work so well this time.
Yep, England’s fundamental mistake (Tuchal’s, actually) was to defend a 1-0 lead for 30 minutes. It was crazy, it was always just a matter of time before they pulled back. Agony to watch. I really feel for the players.
Can’t bring myself to watch the runners-up match. No one will be up for it. Haven’t decided yet about the final, watching Argentina leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I may just skip it and hope Spain come good.
Tuchel himself was very blunt and critical of Gareth Southgate’s tactics that failed to get England over the line to win a trophy. Only for him to do the exact same thing in a manner worse than Southgate. 12% possession between going 1-0 up and going 2-1 down. Filling the pitch with as many defenders you have on the bench as possible. Even if it went to extra time they weren’t going to hold on until penalties with that many people at the back.
Nice picture !
It’s just a shame about the circumstances !
great picture!
Not sure if we’ve properly highlighted the remarkably perfect cross from Messi’s right foot to Martinez’s head. I’ve been watching Messi since his early Barca days, and I don’t remember any shot or pass better than that one with his right foot.
Also Argentina must appreciate how Lautaro isn’t Gonzalo. Imagine how much many more trophies Messi would have if Higuain finished off a couple of goals.
Finally, North New Jersey (where MetLife / NY NJ stadium is located) currently looks like we’re living on Mars with Venus’s atmosphere. Canadian wildfire smoke is thick and heavy, and air quality is pretty rotten. I wonder how that might these players if it lasts until Sunday. I assume practices are mostly going to be indoors, but there will be no roof for the Final.
Great picture, glad you had something to celebrate. Hope you lose in the final!
Yeah. Not wanting to mess with tradition is, IMHO, a good enough reason.
Man, the two teams I least wanted to see in the final. I may not watch, except my daughter will want to watch the “halftime show”.
This can’t be a real picture, you are way too tall, Frodo is a hobbit! 
It’s great you can really enjoy yourself with all those other fans.
//i\\
I dunno, Spain-Argentina sounds like a real cool pairing on paper. At least it’s a final that has never happened before. Which makes me wonder if both ever met in a knock-out game. I can’t remember such a game.
I may have overdone it with the Ent draughts…
Basically this is the reason I, and I suspect, many other Argentinians get so crazy about the world cup, we are a divided country, we are an argumentative people, gather 2 Argentinians and you’ll get 3 opinions.
But on the World Cup… everything changes, if Argentina wins a semifinal, if Argentina wins a semifinal against our Designated Villains like last night…
Suddenly everybody is happy, we all love each other and the boys in the national team, the flags fly high and the songs reach the sky.
Yesterday it even suddenly started raining and it went on for only 5 minutes, so we could all dance under the rain in the Obelisco in Buenos Aires, in the Monument to the Flag in Rosario,in the center of every city, of every town, in bases in the Antartic, in Barcelona, in Madrid, in New York…
Whenever there were 2 Argentines there was a party.
So it feeds on itself, we want our people to be happy and winning games in the world cup get that’s done so we want to win and winning makes us happy which…
If I’m not mistaken we only met in '66 but it was a group game.