When does a game become a great game?

[Dave Blue]

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.

Considering we congratulated ourselves for years when hosting the cup final, I’d say they have some reason to pat themselves on the back.

[blue matt]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

The whole game was good for me, the 1st 80 mins was a very good performance by Argentina, they completely controlled the game, was that due to France being poor or them being very good ? ? I dont know ? ? of course it could be a bit of both

then it all went mental and just got better and better, the best World Cup and best final I have ever seen

[bobh]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

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

I'd say 66 was only an "exciting" game if you supported one of the sides.
We had some "exciting" games when we played in the basement division, but I wouldn't call them great games.

[lardy]

Re: When does a game become a great game?

I'd like the people who think this wasn't a classic match to give some examples of games that were.

Context is everything. This wasn't an ordinary league game that somehow caught fire. It's the world cup final, and the two best players in the world, with all that pressure on them to perform, scored five of the six goals between them.

The final 45 minutes of the game were as exciting and end-to-end of any game I've seen, and the world cup itself was at stake. There was a period in the second half where the game looked like it was heading to a mundane finish, but the first half was still good even though Argentina were so in control and France were so bad. I don't think any game has 90 minutes of pure excitement.

But if people really want to take a game like that and conclude 'meh' then fine, I guess. Each to their own.

[North Cardiff Blue]

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

It never crossed the line though so 66 was a silly game with a massive mistake from the Referee.

[Harry Bosch]

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).

On Sunday I found myself thinking that I’d just watched the best game of football I’d ever seen on TV, with the exception of Wales V Belgium in Euro 2016. It had been a pretty dull affair through the first half, although Di Maria’s goal was a fantastic sweeping move of one touch football. But then came the first French penalty and then the match just exploded into life with Mbappe’s superbly taken second goal. After that it was just incredible. For the last decade or so, I’ve watched less and less live British football on TV despite having Sky Sports. The matches are on but rarely hold my attention unless I’m watching a City match, and even then it’s rarely enjoyable. But that World Cup final had pretty much everything. For me a great game is simply one that gets the blood pumping in a neutral. It does not need to be end to end attacking, or even 90 minutes of incredible atmosphere like City v Leeds in 2002. It does has to have a blend of the unexpected and several moments of pure quality and that in itself can be a great game. But add in the chance that possibly the greatest player of all time will win the World Cup with his country and cement his legacy, extra time and penalties and a real Jeckyll and Hyde performance from one of football’s heavyweights and you have a classic.