World Cup's story: Underdogs, upsets, and Argentina vs. Spain final overshadowing pre-game hype

The World Cup has unfolded as a grand spectacle, yet its true narrative lies in the on-field drama, not the pre-tournament noise. FIFA orchestrated an enormous event, but the tournament's heart has consistently been the 22 players on the pitch. This dynamic was evident as the final approached, with fans eager for the match between Argentina and Spain to begin, overshadowing even major musical performances.

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FIFA built something enormous this summer, then spent five weeks discovering that a football tournament, however large you make it, still insists on being decided by 22 people and a ball.

Before a ball was even kicked, the tournament was enveloped in controversy. The draw ceremony, held at a venue notably reshaped in Donald Trump's image, was marked by the absence of several artists. This pre-game buzz, filled with spectacle and political undertones, ultimately gave way to the substance of the competition itself. FIFA's elaborate setup struggled to compete with the inherent drama of football.

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Tonight, at the MetLife Stadium, Madonna, Shakira and BTS will perform to a crowd that mostly just wants them to hurry up so Argentina and Spain can get on with it.

The tournament's story has been one of substance triumphing over spectacle. While FIFA invested heavily in a massive event with numerous headline acts and complex logistical arrangements, the core of the World Cup remained the unpredictable nature of the sport. The focus has shifted from the surrounding fanfare to the games themselves, proving that even the grandest stage cannot entirely eclipse the passion and unpredictability of football.

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That, in miniature, has been the story of the last month: spectacle straining against substance and mostly, gloriously, losing.