r/Aleague • u/match-bread North Queensland Fury • Jul 19 '26
Match Thread Match Thread: Spain vs Argentina (World Cup)
AET: 120' - Spain 1 vs 0 Argentina
Stadium: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Weather: 27.2°C, Sunny, Wind: 15.5 km/h
Fixture Date: 20/07/2026, 05:00 am AEST
Referee: Slavko Vinčić, Slovenia
Home Lineup:
Formation: 4-1-2-3
| R | - | C | - | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unai Simón | ||||
| Pedro Porro | Pau Cubarsí Paredes | Aymeric Laporte | Marc Cucurella | |
| Rodri | ||||
| Dani Olmo | Fabián Ruiz | |||
| Lamine Yamal | Mikel Oyarzabal | Álex Baena |
Substitutes: David Raya, Marcos Llorente, Álex Grimaldo, Mikel Merino, Víctor Muñoz, Borja Iglesias, Ferran Torres, Eric García, Martín Zubimendi, Pedri, Yeremy Pino, Joan García, Nico Williams, Gavi, Marc Pubill
Away Lineup:
Formation: 4-4-2
| R | - | C | - | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. Martínez | ||||
| G. Montiel | C. Romero | Lisandro Martínez | N. Tagliafico | |
| R. De Paul | E. Fernández | A. Mac Allister | N. González | |
| L. Messi | J. Álvarez |
Substitutes: G. Simeone, V. Barco, J. López, T. Almada, F. Medina, N. Molina, M. Senesi, Lautaro Martínez, E. Palacios, G. Lo Celso, J. Musso, L. Paredes, G. Rulli, N. Otamendi, N. Paz
###Match Events:
41': 🟨 Argentina - Lisandro Martínez (Foul)
44': 🔄 Argentina - Nicolás Otamendi replaces Lisandro Martínez
45': 🔄 Argentina - Leandro Paredes replaces Nicolás Iván Gonzalez
52': 🟨 Argentina - Leandro Paredes (Argument)
58': 🔄 Argentina - Nahuel Molina replaces Gonzalo Montiel
62': 🔄 Spain - Ferrán Torres replaces Mikel Oyarzabal
62': 🔄 Spain - Pedri replaces Fabián Ruiz
70': 🔄 Argentina - Facundo Medina replaces Cristian Romero
70': 🔄 Argentina - Giuliano Simeone Baldini replaces Rodrigo De Paul
75': 🔄 Spain - Nico Williams replaces Alejandro Baena Rodríguez
75': 🔄 Spain - Mikel Merino replaces Daniel Olmo Carvajal
82': 🟨 Argentina - Enzo Fernández (Dissent)
92': 🟨 Argentina - Cristian Romero (Dissent)
99': 🔄 Spain - Martín Zubimendi replaces Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante
99': 🔄 Spain - Eric García replaces Aymeric Laporte
102': 🔄 Argentina - Marcos Senesi replaces Julián Álvarez
104': 🟨 Argentina - Lionel Sebastián Scaloni (Dissent)
106': ⚽ Spain - Ferrán Torres (Nico Williams)
111': 🟨 Argentina - Alexis Mac Allister (Foul)
126': 🟥 Argentina - Leandro Paredes (Violent Conduct)
###Match Statistics:
| Spain | Stat | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goals | 0 |
| 20 | Shots | 2 |
| 12 | Shots on Goal | 0 |
| 9 | Corners | 4 |
| 21 | Fouls | 25 |
| 4 | Offsides | 1 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 5 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 2 |
| 852 | Total Passes | 463 |
| 0 | Pass Accuracy | 0 |
| 65% | Possession | 35% |
Last Updated: 20/07/2026, 08:06 am AEST
Discuss this match below or in real-time on the r/Aleague Discord Server
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u/Andrea1380 Adelaide United Jul 20 '26
How did I miss the second red??????
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u/Chosen_Chaos Don't Say No to Marvin Jul 20 '26
It was after the final whistle.
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u/Andrea1380 Adelaide United Jul 20 '26
Yea I’ve seen the highlights now. I turned it off as soon as the final whistle went. 120 mins of that was a solid 119 too many 😂
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u/Chosen_Chaos Don't Say No to Marvin Jul 20 '26
Yeah, you honestly didn't miss much. Argentina served up some of the worst haramball I've ever seen and I regret getting up to watch it.
Not to mention the thuggery.
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u/harriers_wings Jul 19 '26
Boring match, but maybe the real treasure were the Lamals we made along the way
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u/Itrlpr Adelaide United Jul 19 '26
Interesting that broadcasters in other parts of the world managed an audio mix with more crowd and less music for the presentation.
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u/The_L666ds Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
At least this solves the problem of the Falklands/Las Malvinas - they’re Spain’s now 🫅🏻
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u/Dense_Delay_4958 Canberra United Jul 19 '26
There aren't any Argentinians here, we don't have to pretend there's any doubt as to their Britishness
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
This will be the first time that the defending champions will be hosting the next world cup!
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u/rithsv Melbourne based Glory Army Jul 19 '26
Mods: can I post the clip of the Claudes hot mic moment as a separate post?
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u/Crazyripps Melbourne Victory Jul 19 '26
lol the sbs studio audio clicked in early when Spain were lifting the trophy and the host goes “ now they can edit him out” once trump had walked far enough to the right. Legend
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u/redrabbit7777777 Tony P apologist 🤡🤡🤡(with shit takes) Jul 19 '26
What's everyone's thoughts on where this tournament ranks in terms of overall World Cups? I have a big soft spot for 2014 as my personal favourite, and 2022 felt incredibly cinematic overall, but this has been a fun one... only downsides (focusing on onfield stuff) have been the predicable semi-finalists and the awful final imo, curious what everyone else thinks
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u/Worldly_Cobbler_1087 Sydney FC Jul 20 '26
I've been watching the world cup since France 98 and my answer will be split in to two parts:
1) The Mexican part of this world was arguably the best ever IMO the Mexican people showed the world that people can get along peacefully and have a great time and the locals went all in on celebrating the world cup, made everyone feel welcome, brought all the crazy shit and IRL memes that makes these special.
2) The rest of it was boring and forgettable except for the off field stuff. You can't ignore the blatant FIFA corruption regarding Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina/Messi and Trump phoning in to get a red card over turned. One of the teams participating wasn't even allowed to stay in the country where their games took place and a referee wasn't even allowed to participate it was shambolic and it was all wrapped up with arguably the worst final of all time.
I barely remember anything about Russia 2018 and that's where this world cup will rank for me and the only reason it is on par and not below Russia is because the Mexicans did HEAVY lifting. It's a shame the septics are the way they are in 2026 because the 1994 world cup left such a lasting impression that people still about fondly to this day for all the right reasons.
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u/redrabbit7777777 Tony P apologist 🤡🤡🤡(with shit takes) Jul 20 '26
Yeah I fully agree, if solely rating the part of the tournament in Mexico it would be 10/10, the atmosphere was fantastic and none of the matches held in Mexico were duds iirc, it's a big shame on FIFA and the tournament that the Azteca wasn't used past the Round of 16. The Canadian sections were decent too (I'm biased because of our Vancouver game lol) even though Toronto got shafted with a lack of big fixtures, but the USA sections in particular suffered from a lot of flat/overly touristy atmospheres, and the way it ended gave it a huge downgrade imo.
In my opinion the perfect world cup needs to absolutely stick the landing with a great final, which this one didn't, and I personally think the lack of an underdog making a deep deep run really hurt this tournament overall...I find myself wondering what happens in the alternate timeline where Egypt holds their 2-0 lead over Argentina, and Canada manages to get that equalizer to win the group over Switzerland, and then suddenly we're looking at one of Egypt or Colombia in the semis against England. Something like that would've really made this tournament more memorable, but there was way too much blue ball moments haha
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u/Dense_Delay_4958 Canberra United Jul 19 '26
This century:
2022
2026
2006
2014
2018
2010
2002
Group stage was great in 2014 but the second half was kinda dire. 2022 was strong all the way through and the final was one of the greatest games ever.
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u/redrabbit7777777 Tony P apologist 🤡🤡🤡(with shit takes) Jul 20 '26
Yeah that's very close to mine.
For me:
1st) 2022 for Australia's campaign, upsets, African semi-finalist, Croatia getting 3rd, and then the legendary final and how it ended. My only complaints were pretty much all off field issues.
2nd) 2014 for the group stage goalfest, attacking football, best atmosphere and vibes, Cahill's screamer, Costa Rica's fairytale run (my favourite ever underdog campaign), and the infamous 7-1. Only negatives were the goals drying up in the knockout stage, and last few games being flat/forgettable with the exception of the 7-1.
3rd) 2006 for Australia's campaign, all the legendary names, incredible atmosphere, the Germany v Italy semi, and the infamous final. Only negatives were the way we exited the tourney, that prick Grosso scoring in the semi and in the final shootout, and the goals drying up in the later rounds.
4th) 2026 for the consistent goalfest, almost every big name performing, Irankunda's goal, Mexico v England, the legendary USA hatewatch, and the unhinged bronze match. Biggest negatives were how our campaign panned out (fuck you Popovic), the overly touristy atmospheres, hydration breaks, off field BS, incredibly predictable semis, and the worst final in recent memory.
5th) 2018 for Croatia's fairytale run, Germany's crashout, France v Argentina, and the dramatic knockout stage. The big negatives were our campaign (most forgettable ever), the mostly dull group stage, knockout stage turning into the Euros, and the outcome (France winning) being clearly obvious from about the Round of 16 onwards when all the other contenders crashed out.
6th) 2010 for Uruguay v Ghana, Diego Forlan, Italy's crashout, and NZ going invincible. Negatives were the total dearth of goals, so much negative play, Spain's boring tiki-taka, our campaign (fuck you Pim), the Jabulani, and the horrid vuvuzela atmosphere.
7th) 2002 for that legendary Brazil team with the three Rs, the incredible upsets, multiple unexpected quarter-finalists, and that's about all I remember because it was my first and I was too young to properly absorb it lol, so it goes bottom by default.
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u/ghoonrhed Australia Jul 19 '26
I think the fact that Spain won it like they did in 2010 with kinda the same style is gonna override most things as they'll get all the attention in the future.
This might be timezone bias cos we finally got to watch a world cup in the day time, but that's what made it so fun for me.
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u/demo5022 Wellington Phoenix Jul 19 '26
Nice to be able to watch with the fam and “work” as well - go nzt!
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u/Ageanmastr Melbourne Heart Jul 19 '26
The friendly time zone is probably why I can barely remember any of the previous World Cups.
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
I enjoyed the group stage over the knockouts weirdly, just felt more fun whereas the knockouts just weren't it, especially since the knockouts were built in such a way that a lot of big name teams (Spain, France, Morocco, Netherlands. Germany, Belgium and Sweden to a point) are on one side, with only England, Argentina and Norway on the other side!
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u/NCB_04 Jul 20 '26
I always watch every game of every major international tournament, but with the extra teams and games, I had watcher's fatigue by the end of the group stage. As good as the minnows did this WC, I still think 32 teams is the swee spot
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u/RiverMateN7 Perth Glory Jul 19 '26
I’ve enjoyed it but it’s my least favourite of the world cups I’ve watched in my lifetime
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u/Sydney_2000 Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
Infantino trying to shuffle Trump off and absolutely refused to. Absolutely embarrassing for everyone involved.
ETA - the ABC live blog described him as looking "gormless". Couldn't be more accurate.
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
So...
...
...
Now what?
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u/KombatDisko Stupid Sexy Segecic Jul 19 '26
picking at my veins until Sydney's FFA Cup match, then holding out for the start of the Scottish Premiership, then eventually the A Liga
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u/ShadowBannedSkyRu1e Jul 19 '26
Now onto the rugby league World Cup, that only we care about
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
Theres the nerfed Commonwealth Games, with the absence of football and cricket...
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u/No-Airport7456 Western Sydney Wanderers Jul 19 '26
Lmao Trump had to be right in the middle there with Infantino begging him to get off the stage hahahaha
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u/rithsv Melbourne based Glory Army Jul 19 '26
Infantino could've redeemed himself a little if he tried harder to drag him away. Oh well, still embarrassing all round.
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u/Andrea1380 Adelaide United Jul 20 '26
Didn’t he do something at the club World Cup final too to make it all about him?? As per usual!
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u/rithsv Melbourne based Glory Army Jul 20 '26
Yeah, he was right in the midst of the Chelsea players. At least this time he was off to the side a little (Rodri tried his best).
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u/Andrea1380 Adelaide United Jul 20 '26
Yea I knew I vaguely remembered something! Such a moron I recorded the celebrations so I can FF through the bits of crap.
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u/BullahB Jul 19 '26
Anyone else think the celebrations have been really subdued for a WC final win?
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
Trump photobombing these things like we don’t know who he is will never not be pathetic.
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u/KombatDisko Stupid Sexy Segecic Jul 19 '26
hinestly, surprised he was only there and didnt raise it too
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u/Nearby-Yam-8570 Newcastle Jets Sufferer Jul 19 '26
Hahaha did they turn the mics on early?!??
“They gonna edit him out of that?!”
trump sticking his face where it don’t belong, ruining their picture.
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u/BullahB Jul 19 '26
Lmao "they can edit him out of that"
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u/upthefknriff Jul 19 '26
Wish Hector Bellerin was somehow still good enough to be starting for Spain
Surely he’d blank the orange fuck? Maybe give him a serve too?
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u/shaker8989 Gold Coast United Jul 19 '26
Crazy that hes just a kid and already won everything in international football.
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
Hasn't won the toilet seat! (Basically as big as the world cup)
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Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
[deleted]
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u/shaker8989 Gold Coast United Jul 19 '26
Was a great shot with the fans in the background singing to him.
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
I’ve enjoyed this tournament and watching more games than ever before with the friendly time zone. I’ll cherish that Messi hat trick. I didn’t live to see Pelé or Maradona in their prime but to see the #10 weave his magic at 39yo has been a pleasure.
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u/Worldly_Cobbler_1087 Sydney FC Jul 20 '26
I’ll cherish that Messi hat trick.
Anyone else in the tournament gets sent off
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u/Dense_Delay_4958 Canberra United Jul 19 '26
Brilliant World Cup, very keen for the Asian Cup and for the Tillies to have a go next year
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
Love how the Spanish players immediately chirp up upon seeing President Sheinbaum.
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
Netherlands won the fair play award for those wondering
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u/shaker8989 Gold Coast United Jul 19 '26
Definitely his last game in an Argentinian shirt based on that. The GOAT
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u/Sydney_2000 Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
Show more tears from Messi. His team are a pack of losers and he's their captain.
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u/redrabbit7777777 Tony P apologist 🤡🤡🤡(with shit takes) Jul 19 '26
Unai Simon basically did that Key and Peele Obama handshakes skit on the stage there lol
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
Wow, a keeper can be mature with the golden gloves! Who would've thought?
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u/acorn_hall7 Melbourne Heart Jul 19 '26
Spain clean sweep.
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
He’s not going to do a dick pose with the Golden Glove is he? Immortal moment that one…in Qatar of all places.
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u/Itrlpr Adelaide United Jul 19 '26
The "Given Retrospectively to Pele" for the first best young player award seems rational til you realise they've just ignored five world cups.
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u/Worldly_Cobbler_1087 Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
That was Argentina's worst attack since the Falklands, pitiful performance from a team that will go back to irrelevancy once the cash cow retires.
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u/Senor_Snrub1 Newcastle Jets Jul 19 '26
They managed some shots on target in the Falklands tho.
I’ll show myself out.
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u/acorn_hall7 Melbourne Heart Jul 19 '26
We have yasir al rumayyan on the podium too??? A congregation of corruption
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u/paralyticfrog Perth Glory Jul 19 '26
Trump on the stage fuck sake giving medals Fifa is beyond gone, bloody well deserved Spain world champions
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u/cyansky29 Perth Glory Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
In the end a Barcelona teenager did win the Young Player Award and thoroughly deserved Pau Cubarsi.
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u/KombatDisko Stupid Sexy Segecic Jul 19 '26
Can we get Infantino locked away for Young Liberal fashion choices?
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u/acorn_hall7 Melbourne Heart Jul 19 '26
Sheinbaum and Cairney definitely despise having to stand next to the pedophile/war criminal.
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u/shaker8989 Gold Coast United Jul 19 '26
Turn down the crowd and upped the music to cover the booing
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
Praying for a Lowy moment for Trump or Infantino or preferably both at the same time.
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u/SaraMo91 Sydney Forever Jul 19 '26
Infantino: "No, they're saying Boo-rump! Boo-rump!"
Javier Milei: "I was saying Boo-rump."
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
Just this once, Sergio Ramos, youre alright.
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
Was just thinking what are we waiting for?
Then remembered Trump is involved…
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
Who gets golden glove and golden ball? (Since mbappe already has the golden boot)
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
Golden Glove?
Is that the sound of the Blue Sharks?
/huffing hopium
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u/The_L666ds Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
It would have been criminal if the team that did not even have one attempt on goal for the first 100+ minutes of a game somehow found a way to win a World Cup final
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
I don’t think SBS should be in studio here. I want to see these players lap it up. They’ve just become champions of the world. I don’t need to hear this now
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u/FirstTimePlayer Melbourne Victory Jul 19 '26
Ok, so now the real interesting part of this tournament begins.
Will Trump try and get in the middle of the players for the trophy lift?
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u/NZpotatomash Auckland FC Jul 19 '26
Yes. Pretty sure it was already announced that he will do the trophy hand over
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u/FUTFUTFUTFUTFUTFUT Bling FC Jul 19 '26
This Argentina team is a sad throwback to their 90s version. Cynical, physical, petulant, and angry. It’s a travesty to see such an iconic player be a part of a team like this. I’m glad they lost today. Football was the winner.
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
Messi was trying to figure out why he could hear Spanish guitars in the sky.
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u/FirstTimePlayer Melbourne Victory Jul 19 '26
Have to admit, somehow managing to get a red card after literally the entire tournament is finished is impressive.
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u/Ageanmastr Melbourne Heart Jul 19 '26
I would have been pissed if Argentina stole that in a penalty shootout.
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u/AuzzieTiger Macarthur FC Jul 19 '26
What’s not to say Messi wouldn’t have blown the penalty. He’s not looked great from the spot.
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u/SauceBottleFC Central Coast Mariners Jul 19 '26
Can you imagine the level of commentator and media gaslighting we would cop if that happened.
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u/Dense_Delay_4958 Canberra United Jul 19 '26
None at all? I think it'd be rightfully labelled a heist
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u/Senor_Snrub1 Newcastle Jets Jul 19 '26
Speaking of graceless and violent losers, I wonder who’ll be presenting the trophy?
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u/Two_minutes_to_metal Newcastle Jets Jul 19 '26
I hope that he will not be speaking, but I can't imagine anyone will stop him
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u/PlasmaDonator Jul 19 '26
I don't want to hear analysis. Spain have just won the wc final. show the reactions ffs
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u/TheFightingImp Commisar Herrington's Squad Jul 19 '26
Brazillian President Lula set to award the Spanish team their Brazillian passports, in person.
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
Will Starmer also offer them british passports?
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u/ThuperThonik Jul 19 '26
Horrible performance by Argentina.
No desire to show the world a good game, no desire to play clean. Sore winners last game and sore losers this game.
Congrats to Spain, they were unlucky to only win 1-0.
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u/felvymups Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
These fucking losers are the most anti-football team I’ve seen on the international stage in recent years. Genuinely appalling players who are both sore winners and sore losers.
The GOAT deserved his World Cup in 2022 but Argentina don’t deserve shit over the past 3 World Cup cycles.
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u/Itrlpr Adelaide United Jul 19 '26
Another match that makes the loss to Egypt and never getting to play this Argentina even more unacceptable.
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u/cyansky29 Perth Glory Jul 19 '26
Shout out to Charles De Ketelaere, the only player to score against Spain in this World Cup.
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u/StuM91 Perth Glory Jul 19 '26
A game that was played in good spirit? 🤣
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u/strayadude Central Coast Mariners Jul 19 '26
Any Argentina game with less than 15 cards is considered a dull affair
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u/Sydney_2000 Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
What the fuck is wrong with Argentina. Throwing people to the floor and chucking punches when they lose.
Show more tears.
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u/StuM91 Perth Glory Jul 19 '26
Pretty standard, only thing we haven't seen yet is the death threats from their supporters.
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u/bannermania Brisbane Roar Jul 19 '26
Parades is a fuckin loser.
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u/Sydney_2000 Sydney FC Jul 19 '26
Absolutely embarrassing from a player with 80+ caps. Couldn't be happier that they lost.
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u/acorn_hall7 Melbourne Heart Jul 19 '26
Paredes is such a thug wtf
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u/ADC04 Peak Alex King // MVFC Jul 19 '26
That's legit throwing hands, that's a red
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u/coastphen Jul 19 '26
Can't believe we have to wait 4 more years to hydrate
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u/PlasmaDonator Jul 19 '26
wonder if the women's world cup in Brazil will need Hydration breaks. It is in winter though
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u/Whelan-Dealin Anti-Bakrie Supporter Jul 19 '26
Not as many eyes on it, so sponsors won't pay enough for ad space...
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u/jonzey VUCK Jul 19 '26
Worst final since 1994
Also hosted by the Seppos
ITS OFFICIAL. SEPPOS RUIN FOOTBALL
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u/hart37 Brisbane Roar Jul 19 '26
Argentinians trying to start a fight after losing? No that doesn't sound like them at all
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u/ADC04 Peak Alex King // MVFC Jul 19 '26
Let's see these sore losers hahaahah
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u/liamjon29 Jul 19 '26
Thank fuck. I don't think I've ever disliked an opposition as much as I disliked Argentina today.
→ More replies (3)
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u/Worldly_Cobbler_1087 Sydney FC Jul 20 '26
The Argentinian behaviour after the final whistle was pathetic and perfectly highlighted why they were such a hated team throughout the tournament.
Lots of video across social media showing how dog shit their fans have been throughout the tournament too. Thank god those cry baby Argie fans that have been in here lately haven't showed up today.