Soccer
World Cup final fails to deliver the showpiece finale as Spain edge non-contest with Argentina
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There were star names, fancy formations, fireworks and performances that will live on forever, sadly, all that came during the half-time show instead of the actual FIFA World Cup final.
Spain and Argentina produced one of the most disappointing finales in World Cup history as Spain finally broke down Argentina's rearguard with an extra-time victory.
For a long time, it was a game strangely serendipitous to the final, the last time the US hosted the tournament in 1994. Then, a colourful, wonderfully entertaining competition finished on a dour note as Brazil beat Italy on penalties after a goalless draw, and three decades later, history almost repeated itself in New York.
Thankfully, we did get a goal, and it was only ever going to be from one side, but it felt like a long time getting there.
The Spanish won't care as they celebrate their second World Cup win, but for everyone who watched along, it was one hell of a slog.
Argentina run out of ace cards
In reality, it was a game where Argentina finally ran out of lives.
So far in this tournament, we've seen them escape near elimination in games against Cape Verde, Egypt and England, and their luck finally ran out in a stunted performance by the now-former world champions.
Over 120 minutes, the South Americans created almost no chances and had no shots on target. Almost criminal stats as they almost tried to play for penalties from the moment Jennifer Hudson had finished singing the U.S. national anthem.
They didn't deserve to retain their crown. Yes, their defensive resilience should be praised. But not at the expense of any attacking intent and therefore creating a final that was pretty much attack vs. defence - and it wasn't pretty.
For everything Lionel Messi has done this summer, he was, for once left in the cold and even he couldn't aid that spark when his side only had one game plan in mind.
Getty
Worthy winners?
As defensive and disappointing as Argentina were, Spain, for long periods, were largely underwhelming, too.
They controlled the game but struggled to break down the blue and white shield in front of them, even when Enzo Fernandez was shown red at the end of 90 minutes.
The talk before the game was all about Lamine Yamal, but much like his whole tournament, he couldn't make an impact and his teammates struggled, too.
In the end, it was substitute Ferran Torres who finally found a way through, just minutes into the second half of the extra time, and he now can put his name alongside Andres Iniesta as Spanish match winners in a World Cup final.
It was far from pretty, it was far from entertaining and the star-studded American crowd were probably left wondering what all the fuss had been about after six weeks of entertaining action. And ultimately, it's another World Cup final on American soil that, other than the result, will be largely forgotten.
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