France–France–VIVE LA FRANCE!
Well, another World Cup is in the books. In what many soccer pundits are calling the Greatest World Cup ever, France’s big name players were just too much for Croatia, as they took the title 4-2 for the second World Cup title, their first being 1998. It was an interesting game up until France’s third goal. That goal from Pogba really killed Croatia’s will. A fourth by Mbappe killed the game and even though there was a little life after the GK gaffe and goal by Mandzukic, France controlled the game and was a deserved winner. I was not thinking that right up until the 3rd goal.
After what I felt was an obvious dive that earned a free kick, that resulted in the OG and a 1-0 France lead and then the hand ball in the box that led to France’s second goal, I was thinking…..please score another goal so there won’t be a bunch of controversy about France winning. I wasn’t really cheering for either team, hoping for PK’s! After the first goal, I must admit, I did start cheering for Croatia a bit. That first goal just bugged me a bit. So thank you Pogba anbd Mbappe…controversy over…France well deserving. Their big name stars were just better than Croatia, who were a true David vs. Goliath underdog who really had to battle just to qualify for the World Cup. Hats off to them. They controlled large parts of the game, were the better team in the first half and somehow were down 2-1. They really needed the perfect game to upset France. An OG, a very soft hand ball and PK were just too much to overcome.
For 33 minutes and at 1-1… I was on the edge of my seat. Great game, full of action. After the hand ball PK and 2-1 lead, it just slipped a little. And then of course, class is just class, Pogba…Mbappe….wow!
Game Highlights
A Few Takeaways.
Greizmann Flop or Foul. It felt like flop. He leaves his feet and is going down way before any contact….and the contact was minimal. Didn’t like the call….and it had a huge impact on the game. I think the Center Ref, if he watches that again will agree, should have been a no call and play on. I don’t like players who look for these type of calls….just feels wrong and not good for the game or the sport.
Hand Ball. I hate when it is called, especially when it’s in the box and a PK. Especially when it just feels arbitrary. I don’t think the Croatian player was attempting to block the ball with his hand. It just happens to hit it. It should be an intentional move of your hand toward the ball to block it. Not when it just happens to hit your hand during the normal play of the game. We can’t expect players to put their hands behind them when playing defense or defending a cross…that is just dumb. Rule needs to be defined better. Today’s call seemed harsh. If that is a good call then the rule needs to change. These calls change big games and it is just too harsh for what occurred. Maybe don’t award a PK. Soccer has been slow to change rules so not expecting anything to happen.
Mbappe. He is 19 years old. Let me repeat that….19 years old. Makes $20m per year, scored a goal in a World Cup Final. Wow! The last player at 19 to score a World Cup goal….Pele. I think that is all you have to say about that!
Third Place Game. If you missed it, Belgium looked the better team all afternoon and took third place with a 2-0 win over England, Eden Hazard looked dominant, scored the second goal, and Belgium just had more quality than England. Great tournament for England, they have some really good young players and an energized coach, so hope in 4 years they can make another deep run. Belgium had a chance to win it this year. 2-1 defeat to France was for me, the World Cup final. Whoever wins that, wins the World Cup. Can Belgium’s stars hang on until 2022? One question…How did Phil Jones make this team. The defense on Hazard’s goal and in general his play all season seems suspect. England needs to improve their back line.
Next Up: Qatar in 2022. It won’t be a traditional July World Cup. To void 100+ degree temperatures, Qatar will be held in November and December of 20-18. Do you think the USA can qualify??
Premier League Action is back In August. Saturday August 11 is Match Week 1. Gamer of the Week: Arsenal v. Manchester City. Can’t Wait! Get your popcorn ready!