Spain Wins WC Final 1-0, Messi gets ripped off in Awards

Ok lets start with the World Cup final – Spain scored the winner late and held on for the 1-0 victory (Highlights) in Extra time thanks in large part to the send off of Enzo Fernandez on a hard tackle earning his 2nd yellow card. (The shame is his first yellow was for dissent and his sendoff ruined the game basically giving the win to Spain). Yes Spain dominated possession and deserved the goal after making Argentina’s GK Martinez (should have won Golden Gloves) make the most saves (11) ever in a WC Final. But Argentina had come back so many times late and in Extra Time but never had to do it a man down – and yes they had 3 shots on goal in ET (not zero) as many folks in the Press have reported – (more than Spain BTW in ET). Either way Spain kept the ball from Messi for the first 95 minutes of the game – and took the game out of his hands with their high press and ball control. Cudos for Spain a deserving World Cup winner who gave up just 1 goal in the World Cup. But the awards at the end were ridiculous! Unai Simon for Golden Glove? He had 10 saves all World Cup long (4 impressive) – Martinez had 11 in the final. Real Top 10 WC Goal Keepers. The 2nd was Rodri winning the Golden Ball as best player? Seriously? Across the entire WC NO ONE was better than Messi (8 goals, 4 assist, 5 Man of Match, created 29 chances on goal). Messi got ripped just because he couldn’t pull off a Miracle late game goal for a 4th straight game. Whoever decided the individual awards was simply blinded by Spain winning, Best young player was right in Pau Cubarsi (of Spain) however and best coach – though not a category was Spain’s De La Fuente hands down. I was extremely disappointed in the fighting post game by Argentina – the poor sportsmanship was astonishing. However the MEDIA got it wrong when they said Argentina turned their backs on the medal presentation to Spain – the Argentine Fans were singing goodbye to Messi – who stood alone in tears looking into the crowd and his teammates simply joined him in acknowledging the Argentine fans who were singing to Messi. The Real Reason Argentina Turned Their Backs on Spain … Folks can get on Argentina all they want about the after game fights – but THEY DID NOT PURPOSELY TURN THEIR BACKS ON SPAIN during the medal presentation – so just stop!

So what really happened to Argentina in this final? That was not the Argentina we have seen this World Cup late in games. I have heard conspiracy theory’s about FIFA sending a letter to Argentine officials telling them they can’t win, I have heard about a fight between coach Scaloni & Messi pregame (evidently Scaloni wanted to play a low block and counter – which is what Argentina did) and Messi wanted to attack and possess more. While some of that may be true – I think Spain simply took the fight out of Argentina much they way these did vs France. They kept possession and did not let Messi get comfortable with the ball – until the last 10 minutes or so when Argentina was pressing for the equalizer. (an equalizer I feel would have come late if Argentina was not a man down in the last 15 minutes). Give Spain and Del Fuente credit – all he’s done is won his only 3 tourneys coached – Nations League 2023, Europa 2024, World Cup 2026. That’s 13 wins no losses and 1 tie during the streak. (that’s never been done before). Somebody tell Del Fuente its nice in the US in the winter time – maybe he’s ready for a change. LOL. I will have more about the US breakdown and my personal trip across the west to follow the US in next week’s OBC.

Haaland reacts to his funniest memes.

MLS Allstar Game Wed, 8 pm on Apple/MLS Skills contest Tues 8 pm Apple Free

Lionel Messi is one of four players to have been ruled out of Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game at Charlotte, N.C., as he recovers from the World Cup (More); everything you need to know about the All-Star game (More) |The game has evolved beyond a typical exhibition. For MLS, it represents an opportunity to showcase the league’s growth and competitiveness. For Liga MX, it is a chance to defend its long-established reputation as the region’s traditional powerhouse. Thanks World, We’ll Take it From Here – MLS is Back

Indy 11 Loses at Home 1-0, Travels to San Antonio Fri 9 pm, Returns Sun 8/9 @ 5 pm vs Hartford

Indianapolis – Indy Eleven had its 10-game home league unbeaten streak (9-0-1) snapped in a 1-0 loss to Loudoun United FC at Carroll Stadium. The run without a home loss in the USL Championship lasted nearly a full calendar year, starting last August and concluding with a 2-0 win over Charleston Battery on July 4. The Boys in Blue earned a plethora of chances, finishing with 20 shots, 14 shots from inside the box, 10 shots on target, nine corners, and 36 crosses. But Loudoun goalkeeper Ethan Bandré had an extraordinary performance, making 10 saves, tying the the most in a USL Championship match this season. At the midpoint of their season, Indy Eleven is in playoff position in eighth with 15 league games remaining. The Boys in Blue take a 2-0 record against the USL Championship Western Conference this season to San Antonio FC on Fri. July 31 at 9 p.m. on CBS Sports Golazo Network. Indy Eleven returns home on Sunday, August 9 at 5 p.m. vs. Hartford Athletic. It is a 317 Night, so fans can purchase $11 tickets through the link and add on an Indy Eleven Medical Scrub Cap at checkout for $15 (cap must be picked up at the match). Ticket options include the new Desnuda Tequila Deck, Family Four-Packs, and Flex Mini-Plans.

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TV Schedule

Wed, July 29
8 pm Apple Free MLS Allstar Game vs Liga MX
8 pm CBSSN KC Current vs Racing Louisville NWSL
10 pm CBSSN Bay FC vs Gotham FC
Fri, July 31
7:30 pm Apple Free NYCFC vs Toronto FC (Stewart)
8 pm Prime NC Courage vs Orlando Pride (Marta) NWSL
9 pm CBS Golazo Indy 11 @ San Antonio FC
Sat, Aug 1
4 pm CBSSN Racing Louisville vs Chicago Starts NWSL
6:30 pm Tubi, Ion KC Current vs Angel City (Thompson)
7:30 pm Apple Free Cincy vs San Jose
7:30 pm Apple Free DC United vs Nashville SC
7:30 pm Apple Free Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew
7:30 pm Apple Free Vancouver Whitecaps vs LAFC
8:30 pm Apple Free Chicago Fire vs Charlotte
8:45 pm Ion, Tubi Bay FC vs Seattle Reign NWSL
10:30 pm FS1 Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders
Sun, Aug 2
12 noon ESPN Wrexham vs Sunderland
4 pm ESPN+, Des Liverpool vs Leeds United
4 pm CBSSN Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs San Diego Wave
7 pm Victory+ Utah Royals vs Portland Thorns
9 pm ESPN Denver Summit (Heaps) vs Boston Legacy
Wed, Aug 5
10 pm CBSSN Denver Summit (Heaps) vs NC Courage
Sat, Aug 8
8 am CBSSN Chelsea vs AC Milan
11 am CBSSN Man United vs PSG
4 pm Ion, Tubi Denver Summit vs Utah Royals
4:30 pm Apple Free New England vs Houston Dynamo
6:30 pm Ion, Tubi Washington Spirit (Rodman) vs NC Courage
8:45 pm Ion, Tubi Houston Dash vs KC Current
Sun, Aug 9
4 pm CBSSN Boston Legacy vs Portland Thorns
5 pm My Indy TV Indy 11 vs. Hartford Athletic
9 pm ESPN Seattle Reign vs Angel City (Thompon)

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