The Spanish system had the final say
The FIFA World Cup has come and gone. The excitement that had gripped the world has now faded away but what a lasting impression the event made overall! Expected only for, if anything no sport attracts the kind of patronage that football does and it must be emphasised, the support continues to grow. Yes, this time there was a fear after all the initial negatives seen and happened in connection with the hosting part mostly at the US-end but as the competition sharpened all was forgotten and it was just action, thrills and spills all over. The packed stadium in New Jersey for the final was a sight to behold even as millions of fans all over the globe, despite the huge time differences, soaked in the atmosphere so to say via the television! That is joga bonito for you!
But then did the final script in this edition live up to the expectations of all? Surely there would be a difference of opinion on this considering the way defending champion Argentina, led by that mercurial Lionel Messi was left to look a clueless lot till the end where Spain, the European Champion went about in a style that brooked no resistance as they picked up their second World Cup triumph. For the very many Argentine fans and that included many in India, it was disappointment for sure and more so because their favourite Messi could not fulfil one more of his dreams, that of taking his country to another triumph. The legend has already packed enough achievements in his career and perhaps this could have been another hallmark that few could even dream of reaching at least in the near future.
But then as they do, the best of plans can at times go awry. It did for the defending champion but not because it was not ready for the big occasion but perhaps it would be right to state Spain did not allow such a wonderful fruition to happen. Aggressive defence, possession football and precise attack were the ingredients that made Spanish approach a class different. The Spain captain Rodri Hernandez wielded a great influence and ensured that the short passing and then the thrust in the forward line were well executed and indeed had it not been for some great goalkeeping by Emiliano Martinez, he registered 11 saves, a record in a World cup final, it would have turned a total shocker for Argentina! It’s true that the Ferran Torres goal later spoiled everything for Argentina but Martinez ensured it did not stretch further into a rout like that famous 7-1 win that Germany registered against the great Brazil and host in the 2014 world cup semifinal. Brazil as a nation went into a state of mourning then for football was so dear to their hearts.
Though the end for Argentina was a touch tragic it was very much in the making from the way the Spanish players dealt with them. That Argentina could not take a single shot at the rival goal in the 90 min of play was a kind of unwanted record. Then again, Messi, ever the busy man on the field, could but just have around 15 touches of the ball in the first hour and less than 60 over in the match spoke of how effectively the Argentine legend had been tackled. Suffice to state, this Spain squad emulated the way their predecessors had done back in 2010 to win their first Cup with the effectiveness of possession football blended with tactical brilliance. The goal itself showed that, as Williams headed back a Pedro Porro assist and there was Torres free to bang the ball to the roof of the net. Back in 2017 as an Under-17 player, he had played in the U-17 world cup held in India and could collect only a silver medal after England came from arrears to beat it. It was tears then but cheers now!
Years have rolled by and if Spain proved anything it was that individual brilliance alone may not matter in the final analysis. There is value in collective thinking and on that eventful day in New Jersey, it was the Spanish thinking that took wings. What Messi could do came late in the match, in the 117th minute when for the first time he could get an aim to the goal only to find the head of Mikel Merino in the way and there ended a would-be opportunity. That moment also proved how the Spanish strategy worked wonders, the strategy of keeping Messi off the ball as much as possible. In the end the emotions and tensions on the field spilled over and the unwanted scenes of players fighting was caught by the cameras. Totally unexpected but an anticlimax to a great event. FIFA had taken up investigation and for sure some severe actions would come in before long.
Four years from now, the next World Cup will mark the centenary year of this competition and it will be Morocco, Portugal and Spain who would be the main hosts. The proposal is also to have the first few matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. It will present a new era of players, some who have already paraded their ability this time. There will not be Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar for instance and in all probability Messi too. The great Argentine, still playing like someone half his age, has not opened out on his future but age is catching up. But the focus will be on classy players like Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Haaland and many more of that ilk. Football’s quality is only going to grow and if FIFA’s planning is anything to go by, then the reach of the sport too is bound to grow.
Yet as an Indian the only fond hope would be can all this development stir the football in the country. Can the ‘sleeping giant ‘, as India was once described, shed its sleep and rise?