Well, that would be a complete change in the rules of how the game has been played forever. After 90 minutes of play, plus stoppage, then 30 more minutes, plus stoppage, you seem to think that going to penalty kicks is a random way to decide the winner. Just wow.
Today, Messi, Mbappe, and several others players ran their asses off for 2 hours and 10 minutes, and the score was still tied. The PK’s were impressive. In my mind, that’s a lot of athleticism exhibited by both of these world class teams.
Phenomenal game, perhaps the best I’ve ever seen. The first half was a clinic on how to control the ball. I’ve never seen such perfect passing.
Congratulations to Argentina, and also France. Also the center official was perhaps one of the best I’ve seen too. Great refereeing today.
Correct. It's like having each team having their kicker having to kick their field goals in overtime in an American football game. Each kicker gets five field goals each. Seems random to me. That's all. My opinion. I am not a life long soccer fan.
I am an amateur photographer who has photographed some local adult soccer tournements. I don't like the game as a game (ditto for golf).
But I will say, having been at field level, it can be quite rough and running like crazy for 90+ minutes is impressive.
“...you seem to think that going to penalty kicks is a random way to decide the winner. Just wow.”
I’m not the original poster, but . . . isn’t it just random in a way? In American football, penalties can give the opposite team a chance to make a play that turns into a score. In soccer, a player actually gets a direct chance to score. There’s not even a play, just a direct shot on goal.
How much more boring would basketball be if all free throws occurred only after regulation time ended?
In soccer, 87 minutes of a typical game is pure boredom.
I’m with you on the quality of the center referee. He was on top of everything. I’m glad you commented on him.
It was an amazing game that Argentina deserved to win. The buildup to Di Maria’s goal was a master class. Messi’s ball skills that opened up the counterattack was incredible. Messi is the GOAT.