For the first time ever, France with a successful venture in Moscow? Mandzukic says otherwise! (well, for now, anyway)
I'm convinced that more accurate refereeing in and near the box, which VAR arguably brings to the party, results in higher scoring games. You have more dangerous set pieces (both quality and quantity) and more penalties called. Defenses have to play a bit looser, also allowing more goals. VAR is good for the game. MLS needs to refine it by centralizing the system and having it be a VAR team similar to Germany and this WC.
4th final to have at least 6 goals in the 90 minutes of regulation. First since 1958 (that finished with a 5-2 Brazil win over Sweden).
It’s too bad France wasn’t in England’s group, then Mbappe would have a decent chance at the Golden boot. I know, I know. I’m just kidding England/Spurs fans.
Are you not entertained? This match has everything. Arguably the best keeper in the world suddenly takes cues from his J-league heroes.
Hey, I'm all for a WTF in a WCF. We've already had some wacky and great goals scored in this tournament, and a pitch invasion during the Final to boot!
Between the CL Final, the Argentine gk earlier in the tournament, and that from Lloris, methinks there will be fewer would-be Manuel Neuers next season.
If I were on the French team, I'd absolutely not leave the field for a sub until a yellow was shown. This Croatian team doesn't know it's dead and I would be trying to kill every nanosecond possible.
The documentary on this World Cup will be titled: "Dr. Machnik, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love J-League Goalkeeping."
I imagine Lloris saying to the Croatian after he picked up that ball in the box... "no no no, not this time... fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Wait... shame on me, that was horrid earlier. "
We've seen some of the very best and very worst of play over the last month, mixed with brilliance and comedy from players representing professional leagues across the globe. It truly has been a World Cup for the ages! Well, only because with technology, we've been able to see just about every game either live or via replay more than any other World Cup in the past...complete with plenty of replays and the ubiquitous VAR decisions.