Wow, what a world cup, and what a final, some thoughts on all this emotional rollercoaster:
- Argentina's performance with (almost) the same team of the previous years shows that yes, you can have the best players of the world, yet you do need a coherent strategy in order to make it work. Ditching Maradona has been one of the best things that Argentina ever did.
- Spain's implosion was a hardcore case of the innovator's dilemma + hugely unmotivated players. Every team in this wc has already adapted and properly countered tiki-taka (while incorporating a bit of it into their playstyles), Real-Madrid VS Barça style. We have seen some Starcraft level of meta-game here (and some old and tired Spanish players too).
- Brazil's debacle was predictable. Brazilian team has been pure hype since a long time, despite the talent of their players. Utter lack of cohesion or anything resembling strategy, they forgot that their previous titles were born not because they abbandoned "jogo bonito" per se, but because they were able to reinforce their most lacking areas (mainly defense) in order to have some balance
- The final was close, Argentina was brilliant and played some of its best matches, but my God, did the Germans shone. Great soccer from all fronts, but in the end the best team won
- Argentina was held together by Mascherano, not Messi, which was almost a non-presence during this WC while his team mate organized the defenseby himself on a truthly impressive and, unfortunately, underrated way
- Holland, my forever favourite dark horse, chocking yet again
well, Argentina had one of their best teams this year, so you guys can be proud of what you did
- South American soccer is reaching is prime and finally diversyfing outside the two juggernauts (Brazil & Argentina), thanks to the talent of teams like Chile and Colombia, but the whole CONCAGAF tune about FIFA's alleged eurocentrism is patently laughable. First European WC in South American soil, yup, totes overrated soccer, that one
- Is that a proper American WC team what I am seeing? Holy crap. You guys have future, soccer will be even greater with you Americans on board. I will be glad to see your competitive spirit and obsession with statistics incorporated into the beautiful game!
