When does a game become a great game?

[Bluebirdman Of Alcathays]

Lots of talk, understandably, about yesterday's final. "A classic!", "Best final ever!", "Thank you for blowing a 2 goal lead when in full control!", I hear them say. But for 80 minutes it was kind of humdrum and I don't remember much happening in the 1st period of extra time. The second period was dramatic to the point of crazy and then a penalty shootout. And you can't really knock 6 goals in a game.

One of my favourite ever games was France v West Germany in 1982. I remember being engrossed but in normal time it was only 1-1 before a mad extra time and West German fightback and another penalty shootout (rarer in those days). Although, of course, there was the attempted murder as well.

So is a great game a collection of moments or an end to end hammer and tongs battle? When does a game become a great game? I'm suggesting 3-2 with another incident, for instance, a red card. (However, if a team is 3 up and the opposition score 2 late consolations then that doesn't really count).

[the other bob wilson]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

It’s all in the eye of the beholder I suppose, but for me, the precise moment yesterday turned into a great game was when France’s second goal went in. Francehad been so passive that I thought their penalty would just be a consolation goal.

I agree that extra time seemed to be petering out and a shoot out looked inevitable, si I wasn’t too bothered when the dinner I’d been cooking could not be left in the oven any more. I went to the kitchen thinking I was not going to miss much and put the radio on - I couldn’t believe what I was hearing in those last few minutes - I’ve still not seen them, but the radio commentary made it clear that something extraordinary was going on.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

It’s all in the eye of the beholder I suppose, but for me, the precise moment yesterday turned into a great game was when France’s second goal went in. Francehad been so passive that I thought their penalty would just be a consolation goal.

I agree that extra time seemed to be petering out and a shoot out looked inevitable, si I wasn’t too bothered when the dinner I’d been cooking could not be left in the oven any more. I went to the kitchen thinking I was not going to miss much and put the radio on - I couldn’t believe what I was hearing in those last few minutes - I’ve still not seen them, but the radio commentary made it clear that something extraordinary was going on.

Brilliant game yesterday, loved it, it was a great game because there were six goals and penalties, and it was played out under high pressure by the two best teams in the World, with two of the best players in the World. You can't get better than that.

[alan_corneli]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

From about 70 minutes on.

[tforturton]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

It was a very good game, but for half an hour between Argentina's second, and France's first Goa, very little happened. And as good as the rest of the game was, I don't like to see major tournaments settled on a penalty shoot-out. Sort of makes the previous 120 minutes a bit pointless. After all that, it comes down to one kick? That's not right.

[Cleve van Leef]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

Sad to say the best ever final was 1966 England v West Germany closely followed by 1970 Brazil v Italy

[Ninja]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

It really wasn't a great game at all until France got right back into it with their second.
It had it's moments, but certainly wasn't a classic.
Even after that, a lot of extra time was just cagey, although it certainly seemed to lively up a bit in the second half of extra time.

Can't describe it as a classic, seen better league games many a time to be fair.
It was an exciting finale, but not a classic game overall for me.

[Cleve van Leef]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

They are trying to justify playing the Tournament in Qatar. All the hype from FIFA is OTT.

[bobh]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

Sad to say the best ever final was 1966 England v West Germany closely followed by 1970 Brazil v Italy

You've got that the wrong way round, NFQAT

[Swiss Peter]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

They are trying to justify playing the Tournament in Qatar. All the hype from FIFA is OTT.

I disagree. Think holding it in Qatar stunk from day 1, and I still believe that, but it's been a long time since I've enjoyed a tournament as much as this one, and I'm not really one to be taken in by hype - especially from people like Infantino and his mob.

Last night? Yes, long dull periods, but I loved the drama of it in the end. Best final I can remember.

[Cleve van Leef]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

You've got that the wrong way round, NFQAT

Personal opinion. 1966 was far more exciting, 1970 was a sublime Brazilian side in a one-sided game

[The Bloop]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

It was a good game for 80 minutes because one team was fully in control, whilst the other looked (surprisingly) that the occasion has got to them.
As soon as Mbappe put his first penalty away and hurriedly retrieved the ball it was game on. From then it was toe to toe stuff which turned it into a classic.

[fugsyphil]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

I would put the 82 and possibly even 86 ahead of this one which only got stsrted around 80odd minutes.

I'm too young for 66 + 70

[Bobby Dandruff]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

Lots of talk, understandably, about yesterday's final. "A classic!", "Best final ever!", "Thank you for blowing a 2 goal lead when in full control!", I hear them say. But for 80 minutes it was kind of humdrum and I don't remember much happening in the 1st period of extra time. The second period was dramatic to the point of crazy and then a penalty shootout. And you can't really knock 6 goals in a game.

One of my favourite ever games was France v West Germany in 1982. I remember being engrossed but in normal time it was only 1-1 before a mad extra time and West German fightback and another penalty shootout (rarer in those days). Although, of course, there was the attempted murder as well.

So is a great game a collection of moments or an end to end hammer and tongs battle? When does a game become a great game? I'm suggesting 3-2 with another incident, for instance, a red card. (However, if a team is 3 up and the opposition score 2 late consolations then that doesn't really count).

You are right. The first 80 minutes were awful and actually boring as France were so poor.

The rest was excellent though.

So not a great game, but a very exciting and dramatic conclusion.

[splott parker]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

FIFA and Qatar are trying to claim the adulation when that should be accorded to the teams who made it a great tournament. Once the teams were over the white line it didn’t matter which country they were in. Qatar, themselves, if anything were worse than us, so, football wise they’ve got frig all to pat themselves on the back for.