Can't wait to hear all the hot sport takes about this game ruining the sport.
I feel vindicated by the article about that Brazil game. Made me feel a lot better to see what I felt articulated perfectly. I felt that Brazil was first to set the tone of cynical aggression - and was first to then set the tone of cynical flopping.
Fact someone else saw all of this, was able to point out how the flow is cumulative and leads to a progression of events makes me feel hopeful.
What doesn't make me feel hopeful are those that cannot even entertain or see that all of this so blatantly happened - and excuse it.
As the journalist so aptly pointed out, the ref's inability to police and enforce a modicum of justice contributed not only to an ugly match lacking in fair play, but quite possibly in serious injury.
I won't speak for others, but THAT is the problem I personally had with the sport - not the sport itself.
And the fact you so stubbornly glaze all of this over, well. That informs how I value your opinion.