Football legend: Hunger for success decided Spain's World Cup victory

Football icon Włodzimierz Lubański offered a nuanced view of the World Cup final, emphasizing that despite expectations of a spectacular match, tactics played a crucial role in Spain's victory over Argentina. He observed that the Spanish team displayed a significant 'hunger for success,' which he believes was the ultimate deciding factor.

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Tactics made the match between Spain and Argentina look the way it did. But it was a match between two very good teams, with a lot of football class visible, and there was no shortage of emotions, at least for me.

Lubański acknowledged the Argentinian team's undeniable skill, noting they play for top clubs. However, he suggested they appeared fatigued during the tournament, possibly due to the conditions and age of some players, including Lionel Messi. In contrast, Spain's players were 'perfectly' prepared, possessing strong fundamental footballing abilities that allowed them to dominate.

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The hunger for success of the Spaniards was very visible. In my opinion, it was the element that ultimately decided the victory.

Addressing the referee's performance, Lubański defended Slavko Vinčić, stating that officiating a final carries immense responsibility and that errors are an inherent part of the game. He also touched upon the spectacle surrounding the final, including the halftime show, suggesting that while it aims to showcase organizational prowess, he personally prefers to focus on the sport itself. He views football's increasing commercialization as a business reality, separate from the sport's core, though he concedes such shows might motivate younger generations.

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Mistakes happen, they are factored into football.

Reflecting on the broader tournament, Lubański noted the sport's evolution towards greater speed. He briefly commented on the political interference in the World Cup, deeming it excessive but choosing not to elaborate further. He contrasted the final with the third-place playoff, describing the latter as more akin to 'joyful backyard football,' attributing the difference to the lower stakes and the inherent disappointment of not reaching the final.

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Business is business. It had nothing to do with sport, but football today is incredibly commercialized and is moving even more in that direction.