Key events
36 min It’s a pretty bitty game. I was going to say that suits Argentina more than Spain, but after Wednesday I’m not so sure.
35 min “I think you’re being a bit modest after tipping Spain to win it all along,” says Andrew Goudie. “Did you ever have any doubts?”
Do I look like somebody who is susceptible to crushing doubt, whose entire existence has been defined by it? Do I?
33 min Don’t shoot the messenger, but this is rubbish.
28 min The match is back under way, and with any luck we’ll have some excitement in the second quarter.
26 min Here’s something to read during the hydration break. Reading is good for the soul.
25 min Time for the ad break.
24 min Messi beats Rodri with a delightful touch and is pulled back. Rodri could easily have been booked for that, but he wasn’t so what’s your point?
22 min Yamal’s early shot remains the only attempt at goal, on or off target, by either side. Possession is roughly 63:37 in Spain’s favour (sources vary).
21 min It’s not a classic, folks. But nor was the 2022 final at this stage and look how what turned out.
19 min Argentina are starting to leave a bit on some of the Spain players. Nothing extreme, just the occasional reminder that physical contact has the capacity to be uncomfortable.
19 min “A shaky start for Scotland,” says Simon McMahon, “but just wait until Mac Allister gets going…”
Jose Luis Brown scored in the 23rd minute of the 1986 final, so keep ‘em peeled.
17 min De Paul’s driven free-kick just evades Gonzalez, who timed his run well and was in on goal. The angle made it tough for De Paul to play a pass like that.
15 min Messi receives a pass 45 yards from goal and is eased to the canvas by Baena. Apparently that was his second touch of the game.
14 min Olmo rolls around after being fouled by the lunging Mac Allister near the halfway line. Not a great tackle, though not as bad as the reaction of the Spain bench suggested. The referee decides against a yellow card.
14 min Messiwatch: nothing much apart from that Unai Simon interception. He’s quiet, too darned quiet, etc.
13 min “There have been so many innovations in this World Cup,” writes Niall Mullen. “The match countdown; the advertising breaks; the Friday night at ‘spoons music; the political interference; the interminable celebrity cut-away shots; the scandalous treatment of some teams, fans, and one referee; the dynamic pricing; the half-time show, the god awful rings; and the gnawing sense that unaccountable people have corrupted beyond recognition the thing you love in service of their own power and wealth while laughing at the stupidity of your inelastic demand.
“On the plus side…”
12 min Fabian Ruiz’s cross from the left is turned behind a little awkwardly by Lisandro Martinez. Spain are dominating possession now; they look so relaxed, as if they’re playing a pre-season friendly or something.
Jacob Steinberg
10 min The pitch looks terrible and is playing weirdly. The ball is bobbling loads. Needs a watering during the hydration break.
9 min That Emi Martinez save was better than I first realised. He was diving to his right when the ball deflected off Lisandro Martinez, but he adjusted his feet very quickly to block it. Yamal didn’t quite get hold of the shot though.
8 min Spain are into their work now, with and without the ball. Their pressing is outstanding.
5 min: Chance for Lamine Yamal!
Spain almost score with their first attack. Yamal’s deflected pass infield reaches Olmo, who slips it neatly back towards the charging Yamal. His shot takes a deflection and is saved to his right by Emi Martinez.
Argentina break and Unai Simon runs 40 yards from goal to beat Messi to Alvarez’s through ball. He unwittingly plays the ball straight back to Alvarez, who is unable to control it. Had he done so, Simon may well have had to watch the ball sail over him and into the net.
3 min Argentina have had most of the ball in the first few minutes. Nothing dangerous, nothing vicious, but their players will feel better for having some assured touches early on.
2 min “I just want to get this over with,” says Charles Antaki. “I don’t mind who wins (actually I do very much mind who wins), so long as Emi ‘Mr Antics’ Martínez makes some hilarious blunder, preferably resulting in an own goal. Also: take your pick of any of the less Queensberry rules Argentinian players getting sent off. Yes I know this is a deeply unsporting position, thanks.”
For the avoidance of doubt, and before anyone peppers my inbox, I couldn’t care less who wins.
1 min Six minutes later than advertised, Argentina kick off from right to left as we watch.
Some red-faced bampot is shouting. Any chance of some football?
“Rodri and Nico Williams are the two Welshest-sounding players in the whole tournament,” says Matt Dony. “So, come on, Spain!”
The two captains Rodri and Lionel Messi shake hands in the centre circle. We’re only four minutes late, which in the circumstances represents a minor triumph.
“Nice New Jersey tribute from Robbie Williams,” writes my colleague Gregg Bakowski, “what with him coming dressed as Paulie Walnuts and all.”
Oh!!!!
The footballers of Spain and Argentina (remember them?) are in the tunnel. I suppose a delayed kick-off in the World Cup final is nothing new; remember Rene van de Kerkhof’s bandage in 1978? Or was it Willy?
Now Tom Cruise is out on the pitch, telling us that football “turns strangers into friends”. I’d like to hear him proffer that opinion on a football special circa 1982.
“It’s a bit of a surprise,” writes Tim Woods, “that Folarin Balogun hasn’t made either of the starting line ups.”
We’ll be updating this little beauty throughout the day
“I’m provisionally giving this tournament a solid six out of ten, rising to seven if the final is a classic,” writes Simon McMahon. “VAR checks and interventions from the leader of the free world notwithstanding, of course. I fancy Scotland strongly to bring it home tonight and no, I’m not still drunk after Dundee United channelled prime Pep’s Barcelona when spanking Arbroath 3-0 at Tannadice last night in the Scottish League Cup. May the best team win! Bring on the hydration breaks! Come on Scotland!”
Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger are now singing on stage. I thought they might sing ‘Desire’ so it’s a major surprise to hear Robbie launch into his verse from Punk’s Dead by Soft Play.
Never mind a delayed kick-off. Do we really need to bother with the game? Why should football get in the way a perfectly good festival of star-spangled horse pucky?
The second closing ceremony (sic) is late, and there is already speculation that the kick-off time will be delayed. Football: it’s one big beautiful game.
“Kudos on the biggest gig in the MBM calendar,” writes Daniel Barnett. “As per Sid’s piece on hot chocolate and croissants, can you talk us through your pre-match ritual? Any special foodstuffs or superstitions? Or just plenty of Tin? Good luck!”
I’m not sure anybody needs a peek behind that particular curtain.
ITV are reporting that there are growing queues outside the ground due to a glitch in the ticketing system. Great stuff.
With apologies for any tone-lowering, perceived or actual, here’s a bit of news from the England camp.
Thirteen of the past 14 World Cup and European Championship finals – men’s and women’s – have been won by the side who played their semi-final first. On the other occasion the semi-finals were played on the same day. Spain’s men started the streak, beating Italy 4-0 in the final of Euro 2012. Argentina have also benefited, enjoying four days rest to France’s three going into the 2022 final. This time it is Spain who have had an extra day’s rest.