This was supposed to be Messi and Ronaldo's World Cup!
So much for all the predictions.
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For those who's still are hang up on this rivalry: even in their defeat, Messi played somewhat better today than Ronaldo.
No, really, Argentina scored 3 today, for god's sake! All engineered by Messi... What else is the man to do? Kylian Mbappé says: well, sorry, NOT enough!
As for me, I'm moving on to enjoying watching Suarez, and Cavani, and Modric, and the whole of French and Belgian teams, Coutinho - the wizards of the new football.
Are the Spanish to amaze too? Possible. At least they are to please us tomorrow with crushing the Russian pretenders. Will be no more military style forehead salutes by the Russian coach and players... By the way, does anyone pay attention to these celebrations? Any familiar? Does 1936 come to mind?
It is sad that the best World Cup in living memory had to be placed in this country. The best so far, truly, game-wise of course... As for the numerous incidents off the pitches, and mosquitoes, and those forehead salutes - well, all that remains unreported of course. The Russians keep a lid on most of that. What happens in Russia, stays in Russia, I guess... Perhaps I would even agree with that notion any other time, except now it's the World Cup and naturally the whole world is kinda involved.
As for the game, it has been amazing indeed! Smaller nations steadily making their way towards the semi finals, and by no means by accident as it typically was the case before. With so many usual contenders out of the way, we might even see a new World Champion this year, a team that has never won before. And there is also the French squad - a thing of beauty, if you ask me.
Let's enjoy what's left of this incredible World Cup.