this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2026
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[–] CombatWombat@feddit.online 31 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It is a bit tough that the best game of the tournament was the Spain - France semi, but at least the best team won.

[–] breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Spain's undoubtedly a great team but my god their style is so boring. I found their win against France both impressive and dull.

[–] CombatWombat@feddit.online 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's boring like a Rubens painting or a Rodin sculpture.

[–] breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca 8 points 2 days ago (2 children)

They're kind of the Yngwie Malmsteen of football.

[–] UniversalBasicJustice@quokk.au 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Thank you for translating to Guitarist

[–] breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago

Well I wouldn't want former Guitar World subscribers to feel left out

[–] baronvonj@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

Now I want to see someone arpeggio the ball.

[–] socsa@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago

Spain always plays for possession. It's fucking awful to watch. Like a baseball game with two great pitchers, but they both give up an early hit so there's not a no-hitter in play.

[–] mabeledo@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I guess it’s boring if you don’t understand the game?

[–] breakfastmtn@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"Tiki-taka is boring" is pretty common criticism.

It's not bad as long as Spain doesn't have a lead. As soon as they do, the way they smother a game with possession and endless, pointless passing is boring (even if incredibly skillfull). If they score early, you'll be watching a team play keep away for 80 minutes. Their ideal game is they score once and then nothing else of note happens. If you're cheering for them you won't mind but it isn't much fun if you're watching as a neutral. In my opinion, anyway.

It's almost like watching Dead Puck era hockey.

[–] mabeledo@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

You won’t find many people who know anything about football, and think Spanish style of play is “boring”.

If they score early, you'll be watching a team play keep away for 80 minutes.

I’m not sure which matches you have watched, if any, but this is a mischaracterization. They play with a possession based strategy and constantly rebalance the field using short passes, in order to exploit numerical advantage, and this never changes. Look at the matches versus Austria or Saudi Arabia in this World Cup, classification matches to the WC, or any other match during the Euros 24 before quarter finals.

Now, if you think that Spain scores less on average, compared to other teams, take a look at the knockout stage: most games were won by a one goal difference, and, if we remove the third place match outlier, Spain is right in line with every other team in terms of goals. In terms of expected goals and shoots on target, Spain is first and second respectively [0]

This is the same team you believe plays “keep away”.

[0] https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/statistics/team-statistics

[–] Tja@programming.dev 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I've been watching the game for over 30 years. Still boring. Give me France England or Germany Curaçao.

[–] mabeledo@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It’s hard to believe that you understand the game and yet you prefer a match (France v England) where they played like in training.

[–] Tja@programming.dev 2 points 2 days ago

Yeah, at least they played football, not judo.

[–] socsa@piefed.social 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nah, Spain is well known for having a tedious play style.

[–] mabeledo@lemmy.world -1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yup. Casuals don’t like it at all.

[–] socsa@piefed.social 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nah mate, most people like scoring more than keep away. Lay off the farts.

[–] mabeledo@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

You mean casuals.