This final was not so different from America’s last, in 1994, when Brazil prevailed over Italy on penalties after an uneventful, barren match. Roberto Baggio that day in Pasadena was the man who died standing. No missed penalty, but did Messi feel so different from Baggio here? Argentina’s era is over, while Messi’s hopes of elongating his own served a damning blow. He was nullified, totally. This Spain will do that. Even to him, as it turned out.
