THE WORLD CUP

[BSR]

Because it’s being played at a godless hour in Manila (3am), I wasn’t planning to watch the World Cup final until my best friend here (from Murcia) convinced me I simply had to.  This might be the last time in my lifetime that Spain plays the World Cup final.  A bunch of us from Spanish Meetup are going to a watch party at a local Spanish restaurant, even some who have to work the next day.  Oh man, they’re gonna need liters of coffee to make it through their workday.  

@Becket, thanks for the brief summary of the semifinals and a preview of the final.  Of course, I’ll be rooting for Spain but won’t exactly be devastated if Argentina takes it. 

Interesting factoid:  the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar made $7.6 billion (yes, with a B) in revenue whereas the 2023 women’s WC in Australia/NZ made $570 million.

[Stormy]

Hell no to Messi and Argentina.  I’m going with  Spain.  Love their color combination! 

[BuffaloKyle]

I just watched the halftime show but seems like the 3rd place game was way more exciting than the final.

The halftime show was ok. I didn't understand Justin Bieber's song choice. What a way to bring the show to a halt and almost put me to sleep. I think next time they need to cut it down to just one or two performers. I get though they wanted to include a mix of performers since it's a worldwide audience. Here's the halftime show:

 

Edited yesterday at 01:28 AM by BuffaloKyle

[BSR]

The World Cup final started at 3am here in Manila, yet I stayed up to watch it because it might be the last time Spain plays a final in my lifetime.  Yes, I am deliriously happy that Spain won.  I am a bit baffled about what happened to Argentina because it’s like they didn’t bother to show up.  The game was a snoozefest.  The two Spaniards I watched it with said WC finals often are poor quality because both teams are so freaked out by the nerves, pressure, etc.

I got to bed at 7:39am, yet despite the obscenity of the hour, I still can’t get to sleep (almost an hour later) because we went to Starbucks after midnight for fear we wouldn’t be able to stay up all night.  I know I am going to hate myself when I get up.  But I will never regret staying up all night to watch the match.  Once-in-a-lifetime experiences merit a bit of suffering.

[mike carey]

3 minutes ago, BSR said:

Once-in-a-lifetime experiences merit a bit of suffering.

Suffering for football is not a rare thing. England have been doing it for 60 years, and it is yet to come home.

[Becket]

As usual I was wrong. Spain did indeed stop Argentina....right in their thousand dollar shoes. Argentina had two shots at goal the entire 120minute game and those came at the very end. Messi had no magic today, hounded by three or four defenders at a time.

Spain simply played their game. Great players but no superduperstars. Spain played with class and grace the whole tournament. They simply wear you down. Argentine players were so frustrated that they were left with no tatic other than falling over to receive a free kick. And at the end, when the Spanish players were beginning to celebrate, two different Argentine players attacked,  got into fist fights,with some of the Spanish reserves.

I think both teams got what they deserved. Spain gets the trophy, the glory.  Argentina get  the mirror to look  at, to see if this is the team we want  to be.

Viva Espania!

[Becket]

On 7/16/2026 at 1:18 AM, BSR said:

Because it’s being played at a godless hour in Manila (3am), I wasn’t planning to watch the World Cup final until my best friend here (from Murcia) convinced me I simply had to.  This might be the last time in my lifetime that Spain plays the World Cup final.  A bunch of us from Spanish Meetup are going to a watch party at a local Spanish restaurant, even some who have to work the next day.  Oh man, they’re gonna need liters of coffee to make it through their workday.  

@Becket, thanks for the brief summary of the semifinals and a preview of the final.  Of course, I’ll be rooting for Spain but won’t exactly be devastated if Argentina takes it. 

Interesting factoid:  the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar made $7.6 billion (yes, with a B) in revenue whereas the 2023 women’s WC in Australia/NZ made $570 million.

Yes,  and for the first  time, Both the men's teams and  the women's teme  hold their trophies at the same time.'Spain knows football!

[Becket]

One every four years is plenty  for me.I enjoyed this world cup. Typically America with lots of commercial breaks and half time shows resembeling a Super bowl.  Not necessary, but probably inevitable.Next time it will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Moroco. Perhaps a better ethos Will exist then

In the end both teams goes what they deserved.

Goodby Mr. Messi. You  were indeed a wizard. I will miss you.

[Becket]

And fear not! American football starts practicing in two weeks.

Bye, ya'll.

 

[mike carey]

38 minutes ago, Becket said:

Yes,  and for the first  time, Both the men's teams and  the women's teme  hold their trophies at the same time.'Spain knows football!

Those of us in Australia well remember the semi-finals and finals in 2023, especially the drama after the final (although nothing quite matched the AUS-FRA quarter for drama). But the excitement of the whole tournament and enthusiasm of supporters is what will be remembered long after any drama has faded.

¡Viva España!

[EZEtoGRU]

More than a hundred minutes of football played in yesterday’s final before there was a single goal. What a snoozefest.   Americans often complain that soccer is a dull game with too many faked injuries and not enough scoring. I have watched exciting soccer games in the past but yesterday’s final was not one of them. 

[+ SirBillybob]

15 hours ago, mike carey said:

(although nothing quite matched the AUS-FRA quarter for drama)

When the football’s frequent flyer status by breakfast practically bankrupt Qantas.