sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Peter Drury turned Messi reaching the World Cup final into a masterpiece, no one does it like him

Home> Football

Updated 10:37 14 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 10:22 14 Dec 2022 GMT

Peter Drury turned Messi reaching the World Cup final into a masterpiece, no one does it like him

Messi helped his side reach the World Cup final for the second and final time, after Argentina's win over Croatia.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Peter Drury gave the perfect monologue at the end of Argentina's World Cup semi-final win over Croatia, with Lionel Messi heading to his second final and Luka Modric's epic story in the competition coming to an end.

Messi and Modric shared the stage in international football for what could well be the final time on Tuesday night, as they both battled to make a second World Cup final.

The Argentina star had scored his first goal for his country against Croatia, in a friendly in 2006, which was the same game Modric made his debut.

16 years later and the loser knew it would be their last World Cup game of importance, with the third place play-off the last game either serial winner would want to be in.

Advert

It was Messi who would make it through to Sunday's final, where he and his teammates will face either France or Morocco.

The seven time Ballon d'Or winner wasn't necessarily at his best throughout the entire game, even showing signs of a potential injury from early in the first half, but still had a huge impact on the game.

He opened the scoring from the penalty spot, after Julian Alvarez had been brought down, and then made a mockery of Josko Gvardiol's standing as one of the best defenders of the tournament, with incredible skill that no defender could have stopped, setting up the third.

The final whistle confirmed that the PSG star will get the chance for redemption from the 2014 World Cup final and the opportunity to finally win the one competition that has so far eluded him during his incredible career.

The moment was given a real exclamation mark by Drury, who used his usual poetic commentary to sum everything up, including the end of Modric's challenge.

"Argentina will play the World Cup final," the iconic commentator began.

"At his own brilliant behest, Messi will play in the ultimate game. Lionel Messi has a shot at his crowning moment, as Luka Modric says farewell.

"Argentina, into the World Cup final for the sixth time.

"In a bittersweet moment of personalities, one great will get to glitter on the most shimmering stage of all, whilst the other must sidle away, head bowed.

"But it is about more than just two men, great though they are.

"Messi of course played his part, and more, with a penalty and some mercurial magic, but it is an Argentina team and an Argentina nation which celebrates a semi-final victory. A scoreline that reads Argentina 3-0 Croatia."

The two warriors, Messi and Modric, whose career paths have often crossed, show respect after the game. Image: Alamy
The two warriors, Messi and Modric, whose career paths have often crossed, show respect after the game. Image: Alamy

Drury's commentary has made him one of the most popular men in football, and he has an incredible knack of mixing poetic prose with the ability to know when to pause and allow the noise of the crowd to take over.

The 55-year-old always comes up with the perfect line, especially to sum up the action at full time and lead the narrative, but it rarely sounds contrived.

Not every commentator has received the love that Drury has during the tournament in Qatar, with fans questioning the use of Sam Matterface.

England's defeat by France in the quarter-finals was accompanied with criticism of the ITV lead commentator, especially following Harry Kane's missed penalty.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Twitter

Topics: Football, Football World Cup, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, Argentina, Croatia

Ryan Sidle
Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

X

@Sidler28

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • Getty
    7 hours ago

    Dan Walker issues statement as allegations against ex-Football Focus presenter withdrawn

    Accusations of sexism, misogyny and bullying in the workplace were made against Walker by a Channel 5 co-host but have now been withdrawn.

    Football
  • Getty
    10 hours ago

    Donald Trump ally issues update on Iran playing at World Cup as major 'problem' revealed

    US secretary of state Marco Rubio has issued a new statement.

    Football
  • Getty
    11 hours ago

    Pep Guardiola will 'listen' to offer for dream job as Man City's ideal replacement named

    Pep Guardiola's future at Manchester City remains unclear and a new report claims he would consider an international management offer.

    Football
  • Opaleak
    12 hours ago

    Man Utd home shirt for the 2026/27 season receives mixed reception after being leaked online

    The kit draws inspiration from the 1970s.

    Football
  • Lionel Messi Responds to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 'Fair' World Cup Comment
  • Lionel Messi faces huge danger at Club World Cup that no one can control
  • World Cup legend could achieve historic feat Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are chasing
  • Luka Modric has already shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi GOAT debate amid Inter Miami transfer rumours