Unpopular Take on the World Cup Final

It was a good game to watch, despite the ugliness. All the soccer gurus are slagging on Argentina. This guy describes their game as anti-futbol. But here's the thing: wasn't this game better than the France-Spain game? Wasn't there more drama? More contrast? More tension? More to talk about?

I love the "beautiful game," but the purpose of the game is not to look good. The game is played to be won, and that is part of the beauty. Maybe the most underappreciated part. There is beauty in a stubborn Italian defense. There was a beauty in England's defense with 10 men against Mexico City in the Azteca. And yes, there is beauty in Maradona's "Hand of God." 

Argentina used a strategy. Hate it all you want, but it worked until that one idiotic, super-dangerous play by Fernández. They aimed to keep the game tied and win it via a moment of Messi magic or penalties. This was not a bad strategy against a superior opponent!

Here is another hot take: the Spain goal was a flukey play. Torres was in the right place at the right time with a good finish. And yes, Nico Williams, a nice play to keep the ball alive. The narrative around the subs scoring: good. But the play? The cross was mishit, and the exhausted Argentina defense hesitated a moment on the play, assuming the ball would not remain in a dangerous position. But Nico had a weird angle on the play and did what he did.

Commentators are slagging on them for not getting a shot on goal. Would Argentina rather be 0-0 at 90 minutes or down 4-1, which is probably what would've happened if they played open? They were a bunch of old guys who couldn't match Spain man for man. This is obvious. Only Argentina seemed to know it. The rest of the soccer world seemed to think they ought to play "futbol." Their best player was 39 years old. Granted, he's the best player ever. But still, he's 39! This is completely insane when you say it aloud. This would be like Michael Jordon on the Washington Wizards playing in Game 7 of the NBA finals against the Tim Duncan Spurs. They increased their odds to win by mucking it up and making it ugly and failed in a few moments of execution.  

Should Argentina play to win? Or play to win fans? 

I respect their choice. Still, FIFA should be heavy-handed toward to Fernandez and Paredes, who were pieces of shit.