In front of the dignitaries
The rumor has been circulating these days that FC Bayern have also asked about Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, 30, after Manuel Neuer’s injury. It is said he would not be averse to joining a club that is fighting for international trophies. Alone: He has extended his contract with Aston Villa (England) until 2027; In 2020 he already cost 20 million euros. He would have the format for Bayern: Martínez provided the scene of the final when he made an iconic save against Randal Kolo Muani in injury time. Martínez kept his nerve in the penalty shootout. And he indicated at the award ceremony in front of the dignitaries that he has the attributes that Bayern CEO Kahn, as a former goalkeeper a man of the trade, counts in the DNA of the record champions: “Balls.”
Javier Caceres
Whistled as before
Szymon Marciniak myth Frankreichs Keeper Hugo Lloris.
(Photo: FRANCK FIFE/AFP)
Simon Marciniak whistled as if he had fallen out of time, and that was the highest praise one could give him. The referee basically officiated the final as he might have done in any other era of football – before the advent of the video assistant. The Pole, 41, spotted all the important situations, including three penalties, without having to look at the screen. He decided on foul play by Ousmane Dembélé and Nicolas Otamendi, he saw Gonzalo Montiel’s handball in extra time. And he caught Marcus Thuram attempting a swallow. The Borussia Mönchengladbach striker saw yellow and had to laugh when he flew up. Protesting would have been pointless anyway.
Sebastian Fischer
Symbol of the generation that often failed
Jubel with Herz: Ángel Di María after 2:0
(Photo: IMAGO/Matthias Koch/IMAGO/Matthias Koch)
As a child, Ángel Di María packed the coal that his father sold in sacks in three- and ten-kilo packages. And if he didn’t sell them, there was often enough food at home. Driving to training was out of the question: his mother drove him to training on her bike, nine kilometers to the Rosario Central squares. He triumphed, went to Europe, played for Real Madrid, among others – and currently for Juventus Turin. He was the symbol of a generation of national teams that failed again and again, including at the 2014 World Cup final. Now, at 34, he won a penalty in the final and scored to make it 2-0. He cried on the pitch and afterwards on the bench. He also cried when he later held the trophy in his hands.
Javier Caceres
Neighbor from Bondy
Randal Color.
(Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP)
Kylian Mbappé and Kolo Muani hail from the same area, both born in Bondy, the Paris banlieu. And what a story that would have been. One, Mbappé, shoots France back into a lost game with three goals. And the other, Kolo Muani, could have turned the game upside down in the 124th minute. But his shot was blocked by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The striker was a foot away from becoming the final decider. So the world is still wondering where this outrageously talented man is coming from again. And in Frankfurt they probably can’t believe their luck to have this outrageously talented man in their squad.
Martin Schneider
Changing roles in the penalty shootout
Key shooter: Gonzalo Montiel.
(Foto: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Gonzalo Montiel, 25, could have been the tragic hero of the final. He caused the hand penalty in stoppage time, which made it 3-3 for France in the 118th minute. But the final held the role of hero in store for the Sevilla FC defender. He was Argentina’s fourth shooter – and scored to make it 4-2. It ended a 36-year wait. He converted his penalty with the same personality he showed as a ten-year-old, driving two-and-a-half hours to River Plate practice after school and two-and-a-half hours back. Until, after two years, he asked to be allowed to move into River’s boarding school. He was tired of the bus rides. On Sunday he drove through the streets of Doha in the winner’s open bus.
Javier Caceres
The last Bavarian
Can’t believe it: Kingsley Coman.
(Photo: HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS)
He had scored in a grand final before, but it was hard to compare. In the 2020 Champions League final with FC Bayern, Kingsley Coman scored the decisive goal with his head closed, this time he had to watch and shoot. He missed the second French attempt on penalties, it was the last appearance of a player from the German record champions at the World Cup. Benjamin Pavard only sat on the bench, Dayot Upamecano prevented a goal with a monstrous sliding tackle. Coman came on as a substitute and started the 2-2 lead with a tackle won against Lionel Messi. But his penalty matched the disappointing performance for many Munich in Qatar.
Sebastian Fisher
