TV REVIEW: Lionel Messi’s fairytale moment was expertly captured… while Pablo Zabaleta’s tears in the BBC studio sum up Argentina’s triumph better than words could ever
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Moments like these are when commentary history needs to be made.
Kenneth Wolstenholme’s ‘some people are on the field…they think it’s all over…it’s now!’ at the end of England’s 1966 World Cup triumph on the BBC was so iconic that hardly anyone remembers what Hugh Johns said on ITV at the same time: ‘Geoff Hurst is moving forward. He could make three. He has! He has! That is it! That is it!’
BBC One, ITV1, BBC Radio 5Live and talkSPORT’s commentators had five days to think about what to say if and when Lionel Messi’s moment came. They could never have imagined that it would be confirmed, but at 5.54 pm Messi and Argentina were world champions.
Lionel Messi, 35, has finally lifted the World Cup trophy after leading Argentina to victory on Sunday
The Argentina team celebrated as they beat France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw
Cue the commentators. BBC One’s Guy Mowbray said: ‘It’s Argentina, kings of football for the third time, and tears will flow. The first World Cup since the death of Diego (Maradona), the first won in Lionel’s life.’
ITV’s Sam Matterface said, ‘It’s not just about him. But it’s mostly about him. Lionel Messi joins the immortals, with his mix of mesmerizing mischief and grandeur.”
On 5Live, Ian Dennis said: ‘The audience is up. There are hugs and kisses and tears. Big, big French disappointment of course. The holders lose in the end. Cannot keep title. But it’s Lionel Messi and his young muchachos who can celebrate.”
Pablo Zabaleta (pictured above next to Gary Lineker) was in tears after Argentina’s win
On talkSPORT, Jim Proudfoot said, “Argentina is the champion of the world. (Gonzalo) Montiel with the decisive kick. Lionel Messi claims the ultimate, ecstatic chapter to complete his already extraordinary story… tonight the crowning, the ultimate, the prize of all prizes, bestowed on his nation as it was by Maradona before him.”
All beautiful in their own way. Broadcasters had to do justice to this historic moment. In particular, the BBC after their coverage of the World Cup opener between Qatar and Ecuador led to 1,500 complaints for rejecting the opening ceremony to go to the hosts instead.
They didn’t show Sunday’s closing ceremony, but we can forgive that and 2014 World Cup finalist Pablo Zabaleta was a treat as guest expert alongside Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand.
Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright formed ITV’s star-studded studio line-up for the final
Presenter Mark Pougatch was joined by Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright on ITV. A star-studded line-up, but Zabaleta’s tears in the BBC studio sum up Argentina’s emotions better than any analysis.
The last word on BBC One, as always, went to Lineker: ‘It’s starting to feel quite Chris-Messi.’ Somewhat chilling, but after their criticized coverage of the opener, the BBC redeemed itself with a fantastic finale.
Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon, right?