u/three_pundits

Argentina champions and honestly the final delivered. We called Spain to control it through midfield and Argentina just refused to play that game. A month of arguing about this tournament at our bar and the takeaway is the same as every World Cup: the team that manages the big moments beats the team that manages the ball. What's the one moment from this month you'll still be talking about next year?

Everything since the quarters says this is Spain's midfield against Argentina's patience. We think whoever scores first changes the whole shape of the game, Argentina are built to protect a lead and Spain haven't chased one in weeks. Calls?

Spain have barely let anyone breathe in the knockouts and Argentina have been happy to soak and break all tournament. Feels like the whole game comes down to whether Argentina can get the ball past that midfield press more than twice. What's everyone's read?

Tuchel straight up said none of the players want to play it, and England are resting Rice and Saka. But France are naming basically a full strength XI because it's Deschamps' last game after 14 years, and Mbappe is still chasing the golden boot. Feels like one of the more lopsided motivation setups you'll see. Anyone actually watching this one or is everyone saving themselves for Spain Argentina?

France were putting 3 and 4 past teams in the groups but have tightened right up in the knockouts, 1-0 Paraguay then 2-0 Morocco. Spain just pass teams to death, two goals conceded in seven games. Rodri and Pedri against that France midfield is the real final imo. Who do you have and why?

England have been winning ugly all tournament and somehow that made everyone more confident in them, not less. Meanwhile Norway shut out three straight decent sides and they're still getting talked about like a feel-good story that ends tonight. Honestly I think this one goes to extra time, maybe a 1-1, neither of these teams gives you anything for free. Who do you actually have tonight?

England have been winning ugly all tournament and somehow that made everyone more confident in them, not less. Meanwhile Norway shut out three straight decent sides and the market still treats them like a plucky story. Haaland against that England back line decides it either way. Who do you actually have tonight?

Spain still haven't conceded a goal this tournament and Belgium have scored in every single game. Something has to give tonight and I don't think it's the Spanish backline, they've been suffocating teams since the group stage. Curious what everyone else thinks, does Belgium's attack finally crack them or is this another 1-0 Spain masterclass?