A life lesson from "The Match"


"The match the whole world will be watching", "The biggest game in football in recent times", these were just some of the phrases used to describe the Manchester United vs Real Madrid match up. It lived up to the billing. The first leg was a scrumptious mix of speed and attacking football that ended with both teams having scored a goal. That set us up for the perfect second leg. The match was everything any football enthusiast would have liked. Shock decisions from the coaches in their line ups, emotional homecoming cheers for Ronaldo, speed, action and some incredible goalkeeping - it had everything. 

Then the referee played spoil sport with a decision that was deemed unfair by players and fans of both teams and any other neutral followers and players. The match had to go on though and ended with the now reduced to 10 man Manchester United bowing out of the tournament after a 2-1 defeat at home.

The post-match press conference as one would suspect saw scathing attacks on the referee. But here’s what I find interesting. Jose Mourinho (Coach of Madrid) openly admitted that the better team lost that evening. Cristiano Ronaldo the only Madrid player to score in both legs of this fixture openly admitted that United were the better team and they deserved the win, but for the unfortunate decision the match should have gone United's way.

There’s a good life lesson in here somewhere and I kind of stumbled into it. The importance of playing the game so well that even if the game throws you a string of unfair decisions your opponents will know you deserved the win. It’s easy for the fans and those who cheer us on to defend us and shower accolades despite of defeat. But when you actually play well even your enemies, your opponents will know the victory was actually yours.

I remember Peter writing something like this (I am paraphrasing here) Live such good lives here on earth, that though people oppose you and get in your way and wrongly accuse you – they will see your lives and give glory to God in heaven. (1Peter 2:12)

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