In its analysis of the World Cup final, the Guardian reports that Argentina sought to turn the match into a physical battle while Spain stuck to its possession approach, contributing to what the outlet described as one of the most tedious finals.
Key facts
- The Guardian published an analysis of the World Cup final under the headline 'Patience beats overreliance on Messi: how the final was won and lost'.
- The Guardian reports Argentina, under Lionel Scaloni, sought to make the match a physical battle and disrupt Spain's passing game.
- According to the Guardian, Spain declined to engage physically and continued with its possession-based approach.
- The Guardian described Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic as lenient, allowing Argentina to push physicality to the limit.
- The Guardian noted Alexis Mac Allister could have been booked for an early foul on Dani Olmo.
In an analysis of the World Cup final, the Guardian described the match as a slog, reporting that Argentina attempted to make it a physical battle while Spain kept passing. The available report does not detail the final score or state which side won.
According to the Guardian, Argentina could not match Spain’s possession approach but had other ways to level the playing field. Lionel Scaloni’s side brought physicality with the aim, the outlet said, of killing the spectacle before attempting to take control in the second half.
The Guardian reports Argentina were allowed to take their approach to the limit by the Slovenian referee, Slavko Vincic. The outlet pointed to Alexis Mac Allister, who it said could have been booked for an early foul on Dani Olmo.
That leniency, combined with a pitch the Guardian described as not conducive to flowing football, allowed Argentina to disrupt Spain’s passing game and created the conditions for what the outlet called one of the most tedious World Cup finals.
As the first half drew to a close, the Guardian noted a thought had emerged among observers: whether the half-time show would prove more entertaining than the football itself.
Why it matters
A World Cup final draws one of the largest audiences in global sport, and analyses of how it unfolds shape debates about tactics and team-building. The Guardian's account focuses on how a physical, disruptive approach can shape the character of a showpiece match.
Frequently asked questions
How did Spain win the World Cup final?
According to the Guardian, Spain refused to be drawn into Argentina's physical battle and kept passing, sticking to their possession-based approach rather than taking the bait.
Who refereed the final?
The Guardian identified the referee as Slavko Vincic of Slovenia, describing him as lenient in allowing Argentina's physical approach.
What was Argentina's game plan?
The Guardian reports that Argentina, under Lionel Scaloni, aimed to kill the spectacle with physicality and disrupt Spain's passing game before attempting to take control in the second half.