Football Extra: An incredible World Cup – almost until the end

Spain were made to wait and had to navigate dubious tactics from Argentina, but they emerged worth winners [Getty Images] It was a an incredible World Cup, but sadly you cannot add the word 'Final' to that phrase. You probably had to be Spanish or more specifically a Spanish football fan to truly enjoy the120 minutes that were frequently tedious for the billions watching who aren't true football aficionados. How could this happen after such a tournament. I don't think it was difficult to predict basically because I did exactly that in my last Newsletter, 'It should be an interesting game. I use the word interesting because I reckon it might take a while to get exciting.' That was a 106 minute wait until Ferran Torres finally scored. Whose fault was it then that the game billed as the greatest sports event in four years was so dull? Clearly Argentina's game plan has to be scrutinised, they lost 1-0 but all the other statistics underlined that they were hammered. They seemed determined to cling on defensively hoping for a break, a stroke of luck or penalties. Spain for their part did their own passing possession thing, limiting the amount of risk they took with the ball, playing in a more cerebral, if over controlled way most of the time. In football it doesn't matter how you win, it is winning in the end that is the most important thing. There were positives, the right players were chosen as player and young player of the tournament. Though you do get the feeling Rodri and Pau Cubarsi's names had to be engraved over those of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal who FIFA were desperate too give the awards to. Most importantly, the right team won, the best team and on the day the more honest group of players picked up the trophy, They admittedly picked it up only after Donald Trump was unceremoniously ushered off, stage left, by Gianni Infantino who finally read the room and realised he could do without the US President in all the celebratory pictures. That could have been my favourite moment of the entire day. The real reason for extended World Cup final half-time show A fact for you: Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS had as many shots on goal as Argentina managed in normal time [Getty Images] Argentina aren't new to playing the villains and just as against England before they lost a goal, the shadier side of the game was never far away from this performance. It was attritional stuff with all the usual spoiling tactics which was a real shame because, as they showed against England and others throughout the last month, there is as very talented team in there. This World Cup didn't deserve this kind of showpiece final, then again it didn't deserve the equally underwhelming half hour half-time showpiece either. For those who complain that America just doesn't get football, it was a whole load more fuel to their argument which I personally don't want to hear. The extended half time isn't about those 'stars' being wheeled out, it is clearly for the advertising dollars that can be made from the gap between end of the 'show' and restart of the game. Is that really worth changing the whole of football for, with all its history? Is it really worth endangering the health and fitness of the players? There was clearly the possibility of injury with the players stiffening up over such a long half-time break, particularly the older players. I am sure it didn't help Lionel Messi one little bit. Will Lionel Messi return to World Cup stage? One wag beside me said after about 85 minutes, "why don't Argentina bring on Messi?". Spain did a number on the great man and that was what truly won the trophy. Just because Messi had one quiet match against the best national side in the world however, it doesn't mean he is finished. The question has to be asked though – will we see him at another World Cup? We may not as I am sure he doesn't want his legacy tarnished. Was Cristiano Ronaldo's return this time seen as a last hurrah or a hindrance to his country's chances? It depends on whether or not you are a CR7 fan, but there are plenty who have seen his return this time as a negative or maybe even worse, an irrelevance. I do hope that never happens to Messi, he is greater than that. A final victory for the 'good guys' Enzo Fernandez is about to receive his marching orders following this 'tackle' [Getty Images] This World Cup didn't deserve this kind of final, though I did briefly think we deserved the excitement of a penalty shoot-out for us lasting all the way to extra time. What it did deserve and what it turned on was the red card to Enzo Fernandez. Maybe the former champions would have survived to penalties had he stayed on, but it was somehow fitting that the dark arts employed eventually turned out to be their downfall. Enzo's first yellow was apparently for his reaction to a refereeing decision, something that any Chelsea fan will tell you is far from being a one off. He had to be ultra careful from then on. Was his second offence a brutal nasty definite yellow card tackle, probably not though it looked that way as his opponent cartwheeled into the air. He probably just left a little bit in that challenge, as we say in the game, 'he let him know he was there' by being a little more physical than was absolutely necessary. He paid the price and it was hard to be sympathetic considering the way his team played and indeed the petulant way they finished the match. There were few neutrals that could have been on their side by this point and one thing that sports fans like, especially Americans, is seeing 'the good guys' win. On this occasion, I suspect this happened which was a relief for football in the widest sense. England v France proves all that glitters is not gold How many?! England celebrate scoring six against France [Getty Images] Why did the 'Bronze Medal' match between England and France turn into a classic, when the final was an anticlimactic affair. Almost everyone expected to nod off for 90 minutes on Saturday while watching two reserve sides playing through duty not desire. Instead, there was drama, entertainment, skill and yes even a desperation to win what many, including me beforehand, felt was a meaningless fixture. No doubt the changes to both sides had an effect, with some slightly lesser quality players on show, certainly that was the case for the French in the first half anyway. They ended up with that almost unimaginable 6-4 scoreline partly because of great attacking and creative play, but also some truly average defending at times. If you are not 'on it' 100% as a defender against world class players, you will suffer the consequences. Even so, one thing stuck out more than anything else and that was fearlessness. There was a willingness for players to try everything and anything. This is not the modern way when keeping possession and limiting mistakes is seen as far more important. It has proven to be the way to win too as Spain don't give the ball away too easily too often and that is why they are champions. This never-to-be-forgotten play-off game was instead a throwback, like an old school cup tie where everyone was having a go and ignoring the consequences. It was old school football but on a better pitch with a higher number of truly technically talented players. It was great fun to watch and doubtless just as joyous to play in. Could this madness be the new exciting direction for football? No chance. That fearlessness only happens when the outcome is not crucial and in the end a third v fourth place play off isn't actually that important.