The first half of the World Cup final was all about one team.
Many expected it to be a very close affair between France and Argentina, although the opening 45 minutes was a very different story. The South Americans were head and shoulders above their opponents, taking a 2-0 lead into the interval.
They opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute, with Lionel Messi converting from the penalty spot.
🇦🇷 1-0 🇫🇷
Messi gives Argentina the #FIFAWorldCup final lead from the penalty spot
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#ARGFRA pic.twitter.com/EQ9vrPNhGg— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 18, 2022
It was as cool as you like from Messi, although France never should have found themselves in that position.
The foul was committed on Angel Di Maria, with the winger turning Ousmane Dembele inside-out before the Frenchman brought him down in the box.
🇦🇷 1-0 🇫🇷
Dembele was adjudged to have tripped Di Maria for the penalty. Right decision?
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📱 Live updates: https://t.co/YkNdmauNZh#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/pDrIy2LPrw— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 18, 2022
It was a shocking piece of play from Dembele, who would actually be substituted just before halftime due to a horror display.
Gary Neville launches attack on Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele is an excellent footballer, but this was not one of his finer moments. It seemed to be some laziness on his behalf, getting easily beaten out wide before committing a stupid foul in the box.
Speaking on ITV at halftime, Gary Neville did not hold back in his criticism of the Barcelona man.
It was pathetic (from Dembele).
To be fair, on Di Maria's position and selection, well done to the Argentina manager. It was a genius selection, it stretched Kounde and that French team. Mac Allister has then been in that little pocket and they haven't been able to come to terms with it.
The penalty I have to say, I know Demebele is a wide player, but honestly. You know what Di Maria is going to do, he's been doing this for ten years. It's embarrassing.
I'm torn on this one, because I think it's a soft penalty to give yourself a goal in the World Cup, but also the stupidity of doing that when you get wrong side, you almost deserve to be found out.
Dembele gets found out, he gives Di Maria that opportunity. It's the one that's been going on for years where you kick one leg then kick the back of your own leg. He's looking for it and knows what he's doing, but Dembele gets played like a little boy.
Scathing.
You certainly can't argue with anything Neville said.
SEE ALSO: Ian Wright Aims 1999 Treble Dig At Roy Keane & Gary Neville Ahead Of World Cup Final
