Would the unbelievable happen? Would Messi once again lead his beloved Argentina all the way to the top? Or would the resistance from stars like Rodri, Cucurella and the young Yamal prove too strong?
Even though I personally had Spain as clear favourites before the World Cup final, one can never really rule out Messi and his magical abilities. Even at 39 years old, he does things few others in the world can manage.
Emotionally, there is no doubt whom I support in this World Cup final, in the greatest World Cup tournament of all time. Spain is a country in total decline under a socialist prime minister who appears to know only corrupt people, like large parts of Europe.
Argentina is up-and-coming. When it comes to football, they have been at the top level more or less always.
Even in Cascais in Portugal the Spaniards are out to watch the World Cup final. Photo: Arnt Jensvoll/Document
We can only hope that the idiotic half-time show does not take too long. Who in the world wants to see Madonna in a World Cup final? Is the entire organising committee on speed? This is supposedly the icing on the cake after the idiotic drink breaks.
Donald Trump is in attendance. A dark-skinned lady howls and screams; I eventually realise she is singing the American national anthem. Robbie Williams and Dua Lipa deliver better. But I am already bored and dreading the break.
Then the World Cup trophy is presented, and something sacred descends over the living room. Tom Cruise appears, and I just go what??? He gives a sort of speech and does not embarrass himself. He concludes like this:
This is football. This is unity. And this….This is greatness.
Procession, national anthems, choral singing – get it over with! Finally, it is kick-off, six minutes of added time before the match has even started!
First Half
Finally, there is football. Already before two minutes have passed, Argentina’s player Tagliafico gets a fine header. After 4 minutes Yamal has a good chance, which Argentina’s goalkeeper Martinez saves comfortably.
The same minute Messi is almost played through, but Spain’s goalkeeper Simon is far out and prevents the opportunity. What a start to the match!
After 7 minutes Porro plays a fine one-two, but trips inexplicably. The referee is not fooled. What on earth is Porro thinking, he is right outside the penalty area with control of the ball?
Corner to Spain after 12 minutes, Olmo gets the ball on the back foot and tries to control it to set up a shot. It naturally does not end well; I chuckle in my chair at the legendarily goal-shy Olmo.
Two minutes later Olmo is brutally tackled by Mac Allister, he did not deserve that! Mostly an accident from Mac Allister, I think.
So much is happening that I realise the commentary must be reduced if I am to follow what is happening on the pitch.
Fortunately there is a drink break, and up to the half-hour mark little happens. One gets a breather.
After 38 minutes Spain deliver fine attacking football, ending with a good shooting opportunity for Oyarzabal, but the shot is not good enough. Spain have taken slight control.
In the 44th minute Lisandro Martinez has to go off with an injury, a major loss for Argentina.
The referee blows for half-time. The overall conclusion is clear: although it started energetically, Spain have created very little and Argentina nothing. In other words, it has been a rather boring first half, which will now be made worse by the half-time show with Madonna & co.
Second Half
As a staunch nationalist I must admit I appreciated that Norwegian rowing was part of the introduction. Then it was the Muppet Show and some artists unknown to me as well as Justin Bieber! Why does he keep going?? Even Shakira fails to lift the mood, no matter how beautiful she is.
Shakira performs during the half-time show in the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo: Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
One should also note that when Shakira performed the World Cup song in 2010, Spain won their first and so far only World Cup gold. Now Shakira is performing at the half-time of the final 16 years later, and this bodes new gold for Spain.
The show is topped by a children’s choir that cannot sing but tries to sing about love; I am dying. The USA is in the process of destroying its good name and reputation as the best World Cup host in history.
After a 23-minute break the players are fortunately visible in the tunnel on their way back onto the pitch.
Finally the match is restarted; both teams start fresh, as in the first half. But it quickly becomes quite calm on the pitch, so one gets time to suppress the dreadful memories from the ridiculous half-time show, which all the NRK studio guests claimed they loved. What idiots.
Spain are in the process of taking complete control. Oyarzabal plays what could have been a perfect one-two inside the penalty area, but stands like a statue. Olmo crosses to Cucurella (!). He is one of my favourites, but absolutely no goalscorer. I think: Don’t Spain want a goal?
Spain continue to press, and Messi has been invisible. After a corner in the 67th minute Yamal delivers a bit of magic and beats a couple of men. His cross is headed away by an Argentinian. Another corner. Argentina look hopeless.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Martinez has to work for his money today. Spain shoot and threaten; it looks like it is only a matter of time, and Argentina cannot even be bothered to attempt the few counter-attacking opportunities that arise.
After 80 minutes Spain get a huge opportunity, but the header from close range is terrible. Then 85 minutes are passed, and a rather boring World Cup final approaches full time.
Two minutes into stoppage time Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez receives a red card after a clash with Cubarci, who was first to the ball. Rather brainless from a player who already had a yellow card, but the clash was practically unavoidable. The replay showed that Cubarci’s somersault (with elements of diving) happened in the collision and not because of a deliberate tackle.
After 8 of 4 stoppage-time minutes have been played (!) Spain get a free kick, and Yamal’s attempt is not bad. But Martinez saves. So it ends with extra time.
How is Argentina supposed to defend for half an hour with 10 against 11 players? One cannot count on Messi in the defensive play, and he has not shown anything positive offensively in this match either.
Extra Time
Six minutes into the first period of extra time Spain score. But the referee disallows it. It seems completely incomprehensible after watching several slow-motion replays, but eventually we see a small stamp that the referee may have blown for. In any case dubious, in my opinion.
We reach 102 minutes. Spain deliver a perfect cross from the left flank, and Merino stands a few metres in front of an almost open goal. Then he completely misses the header! Is it possible not to score there, in a World Cup final?
The Argentinians are counting the seconds until a much-needed break. And the break comes; 15 minutes remain, and Argentina are still in the game.
But then Spain score in the first minute of the second period! Porro crosses towards Williams at the far post. He lays it back to Ferrán Torres who slots the ball firmly into the net!
What on earth is Argentina supposed to do now? I expect absolutely nothing; they hardly have any energy left.
Five minutes are added in the second period of extra time. Spain create chance after chance, and it is incredible that they do not score. Argentina defend heroically, but unfortunately give the ball away too easily when they win it.
This drains energy and makes it impossible to score goals. But they get several good opportunities right at the end; it is almost unbelievable that they have managed to wake from the dead.
But time runs out, and the referee blows the final whistle. Spain are well-deserved world champions in 2026, even though they did not impress today.
In Cascais in Portugal they are celebrating.
Today Argentina had no energy left after demanding matches in the knockout stages. A rather mediocre Spain delivered their worst match in this tournament, but who cares when you end up as world champions!