The last game of the World Cup in Qatar is coming up: who will win the title? Who will shine on the pitch, make the difference, lead their team to victory? Ex-world goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel reveals it – and in the ntv.de interview also draws his very personal World Cup conclusion.
ntv.de: Mr. Pfannenstiel, Argentina meets the defending champions France in the final of the soccer World Cup in Qatar. Two “big heads” among themselves, as you had predicted before the title fights. Who will win?
Lutz Pfannenstiel: (Laughs) There are no clear favorites in this final. I’m assuming it’s a very tight box. If you look at the individual players and how the tournament has gone so far, I think France has minimal advantages. But Argentina has the Messi factor. That could be the deciding factor in the end.
Messi has shown outstanding games, scored goals, conceded goals, tricked. With the French, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé shine as ice-cold scorers, nine goals so far. Who will put their stamp on the final?
Of course, the finale is hyped up as a fight between Messi and Mbappé. That brings headlines and interest. But the finale has a lot more to offer than just these two – admittedly – absolute exceptional talents! There is the French tactical fox Didier Deschamps, there is the Argentina team, where everyone runs and fights for Messi. There are true mentality monsters on the pitch on both sides. Top goalkeepers, strong defenders, Antoine Griezmann at the helm, Juan Alvarez as a young wild man. It’s going to be an exciting game with character on and off the field and difference players on both sides.
And at the end there is a penalty shootout?
(Laughs) That can happen. A penalty shoot-out in the final would somehow be typical of this World Cup. First of all, I could imagine that the Argentines will wait and see, let the French come and try to buy their guts with their playful toughness. France, on the other hand, are aware of their strength, and even a deficit doesn’t upset them.
Argentina and France are two soccer heavyweight. But who surprised you at this World Cup?
You have to differentiate: Argentina caught it cold against Saudi Arabia. But for Messi and Co. it was a kind of hello-awake effect. Things went better after that with two wins and the team fought their way back into the tournament under pressure. After the initial shock, this shows Argentina’s very good mentality.
And with France?
France had already qualified for the round of 16 before the last group game, so they were through. Coach Didier Deschamps has therefore opted for a complete rotation. This polarizes because it shows arrogance. But in the end, that’s how every player got to play in the World Cup. And the previous success proves Deschamps right. And of course, if you make it to the final, you deserve it!
But who else surprised you at this World Cup?
In general, the Asian and African teams did a very good job. Saudi Arabia and Iran caught the eye. Sure, Morocco as the first African team in a World Cup semifinals is a surprise. But that’s not a sensation either: class defence, top goalkeeper, dangerous in front of goal. Everything fit! I was also convinced by the English, who could have won against France with a bit more luck. Croatia has shown once again that even a small country can be a big, successful football nation. Chapeau! And the USA should also be mentioned, the team is on the right track with numerous young, attacking and fast players. The home World Cup can come!
Who disappointed you in your eyes?
There are a few Europeans to mention: The Danes never made it into the tournament and were eliminated without a word. I had her on the list as a possible secret favorite ahead of the tournament. Then of course Belgium: the end of a golden generation. Spain didn’t convince me either. However, you can count on them again at the next tournament, because the team is still quite young. The German team also fell far short of expectations.
The second preliminary round at a World Cup in a row. Also a disappointment?
Absolutely! A German World Cup preliminary round is always a disappointment. That’s where the numbers speak. But it could have turned out differently. Scoring chances were created en masse, but nobody really took any shots up front. And if you don’t score up front and allow yourself to make mistakes in defense, you lose – like against Japan. And in the end, after three World Cup games, you’re already out of the picture. Disappointment yes, disaster no. It is now time for a revolution. It will come and hopefully things will look very different again at the European Championships in our own country. But Hansi Flick is definitely the right man.
How was the level of play at this World Cup?
It was neat, nothing more. In my opinion, the World Cups in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 were more appealing, better. This could also have something to do with the timing of these title fights, because many coaches played tactically differently. Key word: load control. A World Cup in winter was new territory. It was often played lower, not directly pressed. That would certainly have been different at a Summer World Cup.
In the end, FIFA is likely to celebrate this World Cup in Qatar as the “best of all time”. What is your conclusion? What do you remember about the World Cup in Qatar?
In the end it was a very well organized tournament with nice stadiums and exciting matches. But what will stick is the criticism of the organizer Qatar, of FIFA, the human rights violations, homophobia. The World Cup in Qatar will forever be linked to the squabbling over the One Love armband. She has become the symbol of this tournament. FIFA banned her, making her a legend. That sticks!
Thomas Badtke spoke to Lutz Pfannenstiel