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Argentinian and Netherlands football players forgot how to behave properly— FIFA World Cup Qatar end of a quarter-final talking point

A match overshadowed by inappropriate behaviour from all parties involved.

By Matic CretnikPublished about a year ago 4 min read
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📷 © Pixabay

A match between Argentina and Netherlands was promised to be an exciting thriller. In the end, it was. But unfortunately overshadowed by something that was not appropriate for a football match on that level. Players from both teams forgot how to behave themselves. They have set the badest example possible. Even the greatest of them all Lionel Messi.

They say that emotions cloud your judgement. True. Yet, football is a rollercoaster of emotions. So, mastering them is essential.

As a former footballer, I know that it is easier said than done. Especially in the nervous parts of a game where there is a lot to play for.

Everyone has moments they are not proud of when they look back at the whole situation. That said, Argentinian and Netherlands players should be disappointed with their behaviour from the first to the last minute.

Some irrational shots were fired even before the game, so let me correct myself. They should be ashamed of themselves in general. They have crossed the line.

Although there was a lot at stake, they should have been aware that they are role models that a lot of people follow. Kids as well. Seeing that side of their faces set the worst example possible for future and present generations.

First things first. Irrational statements aside, to be offended by the quotes that the opposing team know how to stop you so that you have to show off in front of the opposition bench after scoring a penalty is childish.

If Lionel Messi thought that Louis van Gaal would “kill” his team by lifting him, probably the greatest players of all time, in the sky is naivety. Of course, the Netherlands manager had to give his players hope.

Not on anybody’s side, but imagine Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating like that. He’ll be done for good for quite some time.

Secondly. The moment a referee blew his whistle for a start players on both sides started to commit fouls. Most of them were committed on purpose. Even the dirties ones.

Crucially, when you start to commit bad fouls on purpose, expect to be beaten backwards. What goes around comes around right?

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz tried to calm down the situation with very strict criteria booking every serious challenge. However, from a start, he was just a character in a play, destined to fail.

Whatever he did, was certainly to be questioned from at least one side. Like a little boy stuck in the middle of a labyrinth with no clear way out.

Statements from both teams after the match support my judgement. I am not a fan of referees. I am not defending them in any way. I have thrown some juicy parts at them myself in my career.

But in this case, Lahoz was going to be a villain all day long, regardless of his performance. It was not as half so bad as both teams tried to point out in masking their inappropriate behaviour.

Third. Argentina had a match plan and the Netherlands had one themselves. Tactics from the latter reminded us of a semi-final in 2014 where both teams just waited for the whole game and nothing happened.

📷 © Pixabay

Well, the early Argentinian goal changed that immediately. After they conceded another, it was all or nothing for the Dutch. With difficulties playing between the lines they opted for long balls.

With their strikers tall and Argentinian centre-backs not tall at all, they have managed to force extra time. But to later being criticized for the way they play …

Dear football players and managers. THERE IS NOT A RIGHT AND A WRONG WAY OF PLAYING FOOTBALL. Every team just chooses tactics that they feel they have the most chance of winning. Whether others like it or not.

Forth. Don’t get the wrong impression that Argentinians are mostly to blame for the situation. We have now come to the “jackass of the day” part. The title goes to Denzel Dumfries.

I am almost out of words when it comes to him. He had a rather poor game. In trying to contribute to the team’s success he opted for the wrong path.

He literally threatened every Argentinian penalty shooter and gathered his teammates in surrounding Lautaro Martínez a final Argentinian penalty shooter.

Can a celebration right in his and his teammates’ faces after the final kick even be questioned? Well, since we should promote fair play settling to a level of lesser maturity should be treated as inappropriate.

Fifth and final. Taking everything to the post-match and off the pitch just adds that final cherry on the cake. A regular spectator never received a feeling that a situation will finish any real-time soon.

Arguments, brawls … between players and both benches, post-match statements, Lionel Messi’s burst out on the live broadcast …

In conclusion, both sides will not shake hands lightly when they meet next time.

football
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