Secret World Cup final hero: "The best thing I've seen in a long time"

Created: 2022-12-20 09:51

By: Christoph Klaucke

Argentina and France produced one of the best World Cup finals in history.

The referee fitted in seamlessly with his performance and can feel like a secret final hero.

Munich/Doha – What a spectacle.

Argentina and France exchanged blows in the final of the 2022 World Cup, which culminated in a successful penalty shoot-out by the Albiceleste.

Many experts and observers speak of the best World Cup final of all time, whatever: "The world belongs to Messi".

But not only most of the players on the pitch, but also the referee had a great day in the most important game of their career.

Szymon Marciniak shot clean, ensuring the protagonists of this final took center stage.

The German referee guild was really enthusiastic about the performance of the Polish referee.

World Cup final: referee Marciniak whistles "world class"

“World class game direction from Marciniak and team.

Unsportsmanship clearly punished early.

All penalties correct.

I'm lost for words.

Insanity!

The best thing I've (ever) seen in a long time!" enthused Patrick Ittrich on Twitter.

The 43-year-old police officer from Hamburg, who is still active as a referee in the Bundesliga himself, analyzed the World Cup as a rules expert for Magenta TV.

"Gratulacje kłaniam się", Ittrich thanked his colleague.

Which translated into German means something like: "Congratulations, I bow".

The world pays homage to Messi, Ittrich ennobles Marciniak, the secret final hero.

Before the final, the Argentinians had complained about the appointment of the European referee.

Referee Szymon Marciniak impressed in the World Cup final.

© Imago

Secret World Cup final hero: "The best thing I've seen in a long time"

Marciniak actually delivered a world-class performance during the 120 minutes between Argentina and France.

The Pole "contributed to the fact that this game was able to develop in this way", also praised DFB teacher and sports show expert Lutz Wagner in the

.

"A very good refereeing performance, which was absolutely worthy of this grandiose final."

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Marciniak pointed to the penalty spot three times and got it right every time without needing VAR's help.

The first penalty, clumsily inflicted by Ousmane Dembélé, was controversial, at least for some observers, as there was possibly little or no contact.

"Dembélé comes from behind, Maria is in full swing with the ball.

At that moment, a small touch is enough to throw the player out of step.

Here, too, you have to say: The defender is simply not acting cleverly, so he can't claim any mitigating circumstances for that," explained Wagner.

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World Cup referee Marciniak unmasks Schwalbe

There could even have been another penalty, but referee Marciniak didn't fall for Frenchman Marcus Thuram's attempt at deception and punished the Gladbacher's swallow with a yellow card, which according to Wagner was "brave and just right".

"Thuram is deliberately merging, so he is clearly the cause of the contact."

The 41-year-old also showed a good touch away from the game-deciding situations.

"Marciniak steered the players superbly.

He exuded authority without appearing authoritarian,” says Wagner.

Marciniak probably owes this skill to his own playing career.

First a footballer, then a referee: Marciniak impressed in the World Cup final

In his youth he played for Wisla Plock and later made it into the fourth Polish league.

Not bad prerequisites for a referee career, as has been shown.

On the other hand, Messi and his “fly screen” robe caused worldwide discussions.