SPAIN ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS! Spain Beats Argentina 1-0 | World Cup Final Match Reaction

Project 90 Soccer: This podcast is brought to you unofficially by Coors Light. When the mountains are blue, you know what the fuck to do. right, Marco, we are live. Welcome to another episode of the Project Ninety Podcast. My name is Antonio, and I'm here with, as always, the man in blue, the man wearing the jersey of all jerseys, the blue, the azurri, Italia, Marco Antonio Munoz. Marco, how you doing, man?

Marco: What is going on? I'm hyped. Because of

Project 90 Soccer: You're hyped. I can't even believe what just happened. You see what just did you did you know that there was a game on today?

Marco: The game of games was on today. The sport of sports was on today. The most popular game sport in the world was on today. Nobody went out, stores were empty, businesses were closed because everybody was at home. We're at the stadium watching the game.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. I That's a fact. And you know what? We're gonna take a quick guess on viewership. How many people viewed this World Cup? We're gonna look it up after the fact. We're gonna put it on the next episode. I'm going one point six billion people watch this World Cup final.

Marco: I might just one up here, one point seven.

Project 90 Soccer: How dare you do that? Anyway, guys, look, this is the most special episode thus far. This is the match recap reaction video episode to the final, the FIFA World Cup final. Spain versus Argentina. Spain taking home their second World Cup. Wow. Beating Argentina one to zero. you know, it was a game of Lot of possession, a lot of things happened this game, a lot of questionable things, a lot of subs, a lot of there's a red card, whole lot of things went into it. Marco, I'm gonna let you open this up. First half, what is your first impression? What was your impression of the starting lineups? What was your impression of just the whole entire thing this first half?

Marco: Well, I gotta say, it was a special game, but the game itself wasn't special. Right? I've ch just like I mentioned in the semifinal, a little two different halves, right? Usually we we're talking about the adjustments made after the hydration breaks. But this one, I I wanna talk about the second half. I'm gonna just jump ahead. It was a Nico Williams show. Because without Nico Williams, I don't think we'd be here talking about Spain because it would have been a close one.

Project 90 Soccer: Ooh. Okay. Yes. You're right, man. And we talked about that previous episode, you know. I I laid out those three players I thought needed to make a big difference. Rodri, Laminha Mall, and Nico Williams. And god damn it did he do that today. It just makes you wonder what it would have been like if he played this whole tournament. But nonetheless, even without him, look what they were still able to do, right? They went to the final, he got on, they still won the thing, so amazing, man. Yeah.

Marco: And let me say one thing. And let me say right off the bat, total domination. La Roca, Espana, majority of the possession. Man, they just wouldn't, they just wouldn't give the ball up. They just did not want Argentina to be involved in this game whatsoever. So huge shout out to La Roca. A big part of them winning is obviously one, not getting scored on, and two, just possession that they had and the shots on target. 20 shots before or by the time the goal came. So Anto, I'll pass it on to you.

Project 90 Soccer: Uh-huh. Right. Yes. Yeah.

Marco: Give me some details on the stats of this game.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, man. So just a sh quick touch on the first half. Total dominance from Spain, complete possession. tons of shots. Obviously, Martinez, we'll get it we'll get into him a little later. He had the most saves ever in a World Cup final match today. I believe it was eleven saves or something like that. but yeah, man, Spain completely dominant. noteworthy in the forty fourth minute, Lisandro Martinez, big component for Argentina's defense.

Marco: Eleven saves.

Project 90 Soccer: Got subbed out for injury due to injury for Otamendi. And yeah, man, that was pretty much the story of the first half. Spain was just on their ass. Possession. They had most of the ball. They were passing the ball all day long. Argentina just couldn't get anything together. No possession. Nothing worthy of an opportunity of any sort. So total dominance in the first half. Moving on to the second half. Immediately, Nico Gonzalez comes off, who I thought was going to start this game like he did today. Did not have the impact that I thought. So Scaloni changed that up, brought on Leon Leandro Paredes. And you know, second half sort of left off where the first one did, in a way, right? Possession stayed the same. got real chippy in the second half. Argentina started coming out swinging. Paredes got a yellow. It's really getting in there with some tackles. in the fifty-eighth minute, Montiel off for Molina. Then Oyarza ball came off and Fabian Reese came off. Right, which were two big players for Spain this tournament, Ferran Torres, which we'll get to in a little bit, and Pedri come on the field. Okay. what did you think before we go any further here of let's say Oriaz Bobal, Fabi Nuriz, Montiel and this game in particular?

Marco: I we have to give it to De La Fuente. He had all the right adjustments. He made the right adjustments. Right. I I think we're talking about this during game. every sub, you know what I mean, played out. Every sub played out. And I think for those guys in particular, they weren't outstanding today, right? I think if we if we want to say somebody was outstanding, we gotta give it a Kubarsi out out in the back, right? He was just solid.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: And then he trying to get shots out when he was on the attack. But I kinda wanna take it back to the first half. That Lisandro Martinez injury was a was a gut check to Argentina, man, because that that guy was balling up until that injury. He was just all over the place. And losing him, man, that I'm gonna just say it, it just created a huge hole for them in the back.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah. It's big big loss, big loss for Argentina. You know, later in the second half also, Romero, who had been playing the whole game, went down with injury. He had to get taken off as well. So it's a it's a big loss there for Argentina. you know, would that have changed the end result? Would that have ch I I'm not too sure, to be honest, but it definitely was, you know, a first in this tournament for Argentina, not seeing them both in the center back position. So, you know, speaking of Kubarsi in the 77th minute. That man absolutely fires one on goal, like we saw him do. I I think it was against Belgium, right? Which, you know, is is a part of his game that maybe doesn't come out often, but when it does, it's usually, you know, quite quality, it's quite effective. shortly after that, though, or should I say shortly before that, there was another substitution, which is a a big one in my opinion, as well. Danny Olmo coming off and Alex Baina coming off. And then we saw Merino and Nico Williams coming onto the field. Seventy fifth minute, perfect time to really close out this game, bring some intensity, bring some speed. And yeah, man, from that point on it just seemed like, you know, it was a matter of when is Spain gonna soar. That's what it felt like, you know.

Marco: Nico show, Niko show, Niko show. All second hand.

Project 90 Soccer: They were absolutely, yeah, absolutely just bringing it to Argentina, man. They had opportunities left and right. There was a chance for Mikel Marino heading it wide. There there were just a few really close chances for Spain that they just couldn't get on target. There was a nice save, a couple nice saves from Emmy Martinez. But man, Spain was just knocking on the door. and fun fact here, a little stat I wrote down the eighty fourth minute. As we'll come to find out this entire game, actually. But in the 84th minute, I was shocked to see that Argentina still had zero shots. Zero shots in 84 minutes. Wild, if you ask me. And the game changing moment right here. We I couldn't believe this, right? Absolutely stupid mistake. you know, he let the moment get to his head. I think he just lost control, lost all composure. Enzo Fernandez.

Marco: Yeah.

Project 90 Soccer: Terrible challenge on Kubars. He gets sent off in the ninety third minute, right before extra time would have started. What do you think?

Marco: You just can't do that, man. You just cannot do that, right? Especially if a player of Enzo's caliber, right? Such important piece for that just important piece for that team. You can't do that. You gotta be smarter than that, right? Cooler heads prevail, but what do we say about the Argentinians? They're not always too cool, right? They it feel like points of this game, they didn't come to the final, right? They came to for fight club because man, these guys were fouls left and right. They were just very physical and had in the right way.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: and fortunately for them, man, they didn't see more than that one red card because there's some questionable questionable plays there, but you gotta give it to Spain. They were very good in tight places, and Argentina just just couldn't do anything. And them not having them not having a lot of possession, Messi really Messi's one guy, right? You Argentina needs to have possession in order for him to create a lot of plays, to create a a lot of opportunities, which he was trying. At times I feel like he was by himself.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yes, yeah. Right. Yeah.

Marco: trying to create things for for for the team and it just didn't happen.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah, Messi, you we'll we'll touch a little more on him in a little bit, but you know, he he created a you know good couple opportunities there. You know, Argentina wasn't really attacking much today. There was no real good possession in the Spanish half. nonetheless, Messi's still able to get on the ball, put in some crosses, deliver some passes, but you know, props to Spain. They really just shut down Argentina altogether today, you know. So moving here into extra time, there's another big call, right, which We were wondering if he was offside or not, but Nico Williams goal that was disallowed. Or was that that was when he got stepped that was when

Marco: Yeah, that's when there was that that that foul in the box.

Project 90 Soccer: The offside came after, that's correct. For for Ferran Torres. Yeah, so Williams, there's there's that goal that seemed like you know, it was a goal. And then they show the replay, they zoom in, Otamendi gets stepped on, which did he receive contact on the foot? Yes. Was it enough to be called a foul? That's the debate at this point. And that's where it always comes down to interpretation. It seems like, you know, so they ended up calling that a foul. Goal was disallowed. And the game went on. And then Zubamendi. For Spain came on, made his World Cup debut, and Eric as well came on for Rodri, big player for Spain, and Laporte. Okay. Now, in the hundred and second minute, I think we were both shocked when we saw this happen. Alvarez came off, right? He was pretty quiet this game, wasn't able to get anything going. I mean, the whole Argentina team, we keep saying the same thing. They had no shots on goal. He came off for s Senesi. Okay. I think we were both shocked though to not see Lautaro Martinez come on in this game. Right. What did what did you say? I mean, the past couple of games he has been their guy coming on. And this game, all of a sudden, not even a look. What'd you think of that sub?

Marco: Yeah, especially I think you should thrown him in there like they did in the last game, right? All the meat on the skillet. You just gotta go after it. You're one man down, right? You've proven you've been doing this all tournament, getting these late goals. But ultimately, I don't know what Scaloni and his staff were seeing, but I would have liked to see Martinez late in the game to just make things happen and just put himself put himself in Argentina position to score. Ultimately, that is not what we saw. What we saw are some again there subs that they they think we're gonna pan out, but ultimately it just did not. And here we are talking about La Roja, Espana, being champs. And Anto, I don't know, is it one of those things where you need to win the Euros and then you're gonna be the champion? Because it's the second time that they do this.

Project 90 Soccer: Man, think talk about like two World Cup finals, two wins. Double, right? Euro to World Cup, Euro to World. Now in 2008, 2010, they won the Euro, the World Cup, and then back in 2012, the next Euros. They also won that one. So now, you know, Dela Fuente has the opportunity now. He did the Euros, he did the World Cup today one. He can go to this next euro and maybe secure a third trophy. Still undefeated Spain, thirty-seven wins straight. I believe no, I believe it's their thirty-eighth now, right? With this game today. And thirty-eight, and they, you know, beat Italy, who was at thirty seven, and what a way to do it, right? World cup final. What better game to say we've gone undefeated now thirty eight games, secured two major trophies within those thirty eight games. So it's it's truly history for Spain.

Marco: Thirty

Project 90 Soccer: But here, let's finish out this game real quick. Zuba Mendi, Alvarez off, Senesion. And then the hundred and sixth minute, the big moment for Spain, where Ferran Torres got his first goal this World Cup. But what a what a time to get. I've been criticizing this guy. I'm like, he never scores. I don't understand. And there he is, right when you need him the most. First goal, hundred and sixth minute, Ferrand Torres. Good finish with the left foot. You know, it's one of those where you can easily kick it straight over the goal, right? It just seemed like he was

Marco: Your boy.

Project 90 Soccer: Probably one of those mom man, Simeone had a golden opportunity as well, man, at the end there. And you know, after the Ferrand Torres goal here, hundred and sixth minute, they they were saying how there was twenty shots for Spain on goal. And they were finally able to get one, still zero for Argentina, you know, throughout this game. And yeah, man, it's it's shocking when you see those stats. And then the hundred and thirteenth minute, Ferrand Torres again got the breakaway.

Marco: I Giuliano did it.

Project 90 Soccer: Slotted it past Martinez, but it was called back off sides, which it was we saw in the VAR. But those last let's say six minutes, six, eight minutes, nine minutes, whatever it was extra time, Argentina man had a final push. And then boy, did they have they had about two or three chances there where I think, you know, they could have scored and they probably wish they could get those moments back. But you know, what an effort from Argentina.

Marco: Yeah. All their ass.

Project 90 Soccer: You know, it did not go their way today. They were completely outclassed. That's the that's just the brutal fact. you know, Lionel Messi, what can you say about the guy? Truly one of the GOATs. He's already been to the final three times now. He won one of I mean, he's won every trophy you can possibly win. He's not just on the team, like participating in this World Cup. He's quite literally like carrying this team. he's doing doing so much for them and to see him go out the way he did today, it's It's bittersweet, you know, you get to see someone like Lamal win, Laminha Mall win his first World Cup at such a young age. But then you see someone like Meshews has such a legendary career just kind of go out. Probably his last game for Argentina, just in this way. It's kind of it's kind of sad, you know, for the for not just for Argentinians, but I think for just fans around the world just to see that. but nonetheless, look, Spain champions one to zero. There were a few trophies after this game here. man of the match. Which we assumed for An Torres, much deserved, came on, made the impact. Young player award, not surprised by this either. Kubarsi. He's really made he's really made a name for himself if he already hasn't, right? He's truly gonna go down ten next ten, fifteen years. He's gonna be one of the most elite defenders when it's all said and done. so you know, what a what a what a start for him. he did not win the Euros, but I'm sure he's gonna have plenty of other opportunities in the future to win some of these major trophies.

Marco: All are

Project 90 Soccer: the golden glove, Unay Simon, again, today, Spain, another clean sheet, right? We were talking about that last episode. Seven clean sheets this World Cup. It's undeniable to say that they were just on a different level. Unay Simon much deserved this golden glove award. And then the golden ball, the best player of this tournament was Rudery, right? Holding it down in the center mid, really leading Spain to this title, controlling the midfield.

Marco: Roger.

Project 90 Soccer: So yeah, man, you know, it's it was it was a game. It wasn't maybe the most exciting final back and forth necessarily, maybe if you think back to like a a France versus Argentina type game. but it was it was it it almost felt a little more boring only because Spain was like so completely dominant. You know what I mean? It just they took over the game, they controlled it. A little scary at times 'cause they weren't getting a goal, you know, and you know that's not a good thing against Argentina, but nonetheless they finished it, man. So yeah, wild times, another World Cup concluded. Do you have any last final notes, thoughts, comments on this game? Anything you wanna bring up that maybe I may have missed?

Marco: I'm sad. The World Cup is over. What am I gonna look forward to? But you know what? For our followers and fans and subscribers, we're looking forward to a lot of things. MLS, SEDIA, Premier League, your favorite leagues, leave us a comment. Also, leave us a comment of what you think about that foul on the Nikos Nico's goal because you guys gotta educate me on these VAR rules that I feel like we're picking and choosing sometimes.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yep. Yeah.

Marco: So leave us a comment, let me know, educate me. But yeah, man, bittersweet, World Cup is over. Shout out to Spain, shout out to Argentina, shout out to the host nations, Canada, Mexico, United States. You guys did a solid ass job. One of my favorite World Cups to watch. I look forward to what's coming up next.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Yes, man, I couldn't say it any better. And to be honest, man, you know, we got four more years to the next World Cup. you know, the World Cup might be ending, but Project 90 is just getting started, right? So, like Marco said, make sure to like, subscribe, Project 90 Soccer dot com. Go to our website, leave comments, get involved in this conversation. Tell us what you think, what you felt about the game. You know, challenge our opinions, man. Give us your opinions. We wanna we wanna get everyone involved. in this conversation because this is not just our game, this is the world's game. Okay. And we love the conversation. We love to talk about it. Well, I just gotta say that concludes that concludes our coverage, you can say, of this FIFA World Cup. We'll come back and you know in the next couple days or weeks we'll do a couple fun episodes, favorite goals or moments and shocks of this tournament. We'll kind of do a a recap in depth like that and yeah man it's another final another world cup really really excited to have watched this world cup see it in united states mexico canada and look forward to hearing from everyone what they thought and if you listen to this whole episode we appreciate it until the next episode though guys this has been project 90 thanks for watching peace

Marco: Spania

Project 90 Soccer: España