this concept, the idea that a loss can be somehow unfair because the losers played “better” than the winners, is one of the stupidest in soccer. a losing team can be unlucky, a losing team can suffer from poor refereeing, a losing team can play with skill and flair and still see all of their shots hit the bar or sweep wide. but do you know what you have to do to be, objectively, the “better team”? score more goals. 

my condescension is fully warranted, i assure you.

france had the lion’s share of possession against the usa, their passing was more accurate, their midfield more engaged. but their defense let in three goals, and their attackers couldn’t compensate. lopsided possession doesn’t always indicated lopsided ability! the usa has progressed through this tournament without dominating possession, because in the end they score more goals.

i realize that the “beauty vs. results” debate is never going to end (because it’s fun!), but until we start deciding matches on panache everyone is going to have to accept that a visually pleasing style is not inherently more deserving of a win than a stout athletic style.