Messi sure is on fire today.
ETA: Well, I said so. Unbelievable assist.
Ok, 3-0.
What a move by Messi.
Well Argentina have a date with the World Cup final, their 6th, joint 3rd (or 2nd if 1950 is not counted) most and @Frodo is doubtless out celebrating somewhere (and looking up flights to Doha).
Something seems to have changed with Messi last couple of years. He always appeared to be almost ambivalent about Argentina, he never showed the passion he had with Barca. In contrast with Ronaldo who was extremely passionate about playing and winning for Portugal.
It’s almost as if after Maradona’s death he felt that the torch has passed to him. And it was now he who had to truly defend the colours.
A potential Messi versus Mbappe final is so enticing. Not sure which was the last individual matchup in a final of comparable stature. Maybe Cruyff versus Beckenbauer in 74 ?
Modric goes off. Almost certainly the end for him as far as internationals are concerned. What a player.
Baggio v Romario in ‘94.
Possibly Maradona v Matthias in 1986 and certainly in 1990.
Ronaldo / Zidane 98? Or was that Zidane’s real coming out match…
I know Morocco is the underdog, but I’ve got to cheer for a non-European final.
Ronaldo vs Zidane is up there though of course there was the famous Ronaldo health controversy before the game.
Messi’s moves to get free and pass the ball were a thing of beauty.
I’m hoping Argentina win the final to secure Messi’s GOAT status. He already is the GOAT in my mind and has been for years. But a World Cup gets that monkey off his back. It’s the only thing that keeps Pele and Maradona in the argument. Ronaldo is an amazing goalscorer but Messi scores goals at an equal rate and much, much more. He’s a playmaking genius in picking passes to unlock defences and is the greatest dribbler of all time certainly.
The town of El Chalten (pop. ~1600) went crazy today after Argentina’s win. Almost an hour after the end of the match, the main street (maybe one km long) still has about a hundred vehicles cruising back and forth, draped with Argentine flags and blowing horns. Each pickup truck (of which there are a good number) has about a dozen fans in the bed, all jumping up and down.
I imagine this is the story in every town and city. What will this country be like on Sunday, should they win the final?
I am rooting for Argentina to win an Argentina-France final. My platonic ideal of a World Cup is one where one or two underdog teams make a courageous run to the semis but the final is between the big boys just like 2002. I want Argentina to win because the Europeans have won four in a row and also because I think Messi deserves one not least for the brilliance and heart he is showing here at age 35.
Well, what can I say? I would be at the Obelisco celebrating but I’m still recuperating from covid, also cannot let my wife who today was feeling ill alone. (we were in a clinic until 1 hour before the game).
This is the first time in my life than a futbol player made me cry, I’ve cried countless times for futbol, starting on the 1990 final, but never for only one player. Never.
Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini, the man who came back to the seleccion, time after time.
They said he wasn’t Argentinian, but he came back.
They said he didn’t really felt the colors, but he came back
They said he didn’t sing the anthem, but he came back
They said he was a choker, a “pecho frio”, AND HE STILL CAME BACK.
Anyone else in his place would say “fuck it” and remain in Europe enjoying his millions, his beautiful wife and his lovely kids.
But the man still came, he got frustated once and was out for what? 3 matches? and then came back.
Today, with 35 years on his back, with a leg that was clearly bothering him, he made magic in the field against defenders 10 or more years younger.
When I saw, in the last minutes of the first half, how he ran with the ball and took the team on his shoulders I started to cry.
We don’t deserve you Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini, thanks for being argentinian.
Congratulations. You have been chosen to be a World Cup TV commentator.
I thought Messi was a lot quieter than the Netherlands match, and then he pulls THAT out? Damn. Which assist was better?
Watching Messi now… how did Argentina not win everything when he was younger? I guess they threw away 2010 by hiring Maradona and the defense/midfield had aged out significantly by 2014 and completely by 2018, but this team isn’t super talented compared to France/Brazil/England.
I still can’t see France losing, but I’ll be pulling for Morocco and then Argentina.
Eh, Messi and Higuain both bottled shots they should have made in the Final. That was an excellent side.
Messi’s was a good chance, but not a sitter.
By aged out I mean you have Demichelis past his prime and then Samuel, Heinze, Cambiasso, and Zanetti gone (the latter two completely inexplicably left off the 2010 team, I mean jesus christ). Their roster was still alright, they made the final after all, but if you compare the starting midfield and defense to Germany (or France 2018, Spain 2010, Italy or France 2006, Brazil 2002) it’s behind other winners. IMO, of course.
No. No they will not.
Croatia is a country of four million people who did little in the World Cup before 2018. The Canadian coach and goalie are unimpressed with them. But I am. Gooooooooooooooooooooal!^
^ on many other occasions.
I love the fact you use each players full name. But what do you call them when you’re angry? 
Get well soon. If France beats Morocco, I want Argentina to win!