Aussie fans fume over SBS commentator

It was one of the best World Cup finals ever played, but some Aussies who got up to watch it weren’t impressed with what they listened to.

Fans didn’t love Martin Tyler’s call of Lionel Messi finally winning the World Cup.

Australians who got up to watch the World Cup final have criticised the performance of veteran English commentator Martin Tyler.

Tyler has been a long-term World Cup commentator for SBS, but hasn’t won many fans over with his performances in Qatar.

Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the World Cup as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 in the shoot-out after Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick ensured the game ended level at 3-3 following extra time.

Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding penalty to give Argentina their third World Cup and prevent France becoming the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.

But a truly remarkable match saw Messi and Mbappe live up to their billing, with Messi scoring twice and Mbappe becoming the first player since England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966 to net a World Cup final hat-trick.

But many Australians who got up to watch the final said Tyler’s call of the game didn’t match the epic final the world was witnessing.

Set my alarm for 6 on the dot so was half asleep for France’s early goal, and by the sounds of it so was Martin Tyler? haha but seriously folks his is a soporific presence #FRAMAR

— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) December 14, 2022

France open the scoring and even though he'd commentating I'm not sure Martin Tyler realised please give us the world feed comms for the final

— Tom Hockman (@Tom_Hockman) December 14, 2022

Penalty awarded in the 117th minute of a World Cup final and Martin Tyler’s talking as if nothing has happened

— simon (@simon_il97) December 18, 2022

Still curious why SBS used Martin Tyler solo (budget?). No matter your opinion of Tyler, a co-commentator would have provided analysis, some needed energy and a break from 90 minutes or more of the same voice. #Qatar2022

— Ed Wyatt (@edwyatt) December 18, 2022

My only hope for the next World Cup is we are not tortured by more Martin Tyler sundowning! Have mercy on us please SBS!

— Patrick Avenelllllllllll (@Patrickavenell) December 18, 2022

Tyler has come under fire during the World Cup for his calls for SBS, and his name was regularly trending on Twitter over the past month.

Football commentator Simon Hill even came to Tyler’s defence during the World Cup.

“It’s totally unfair but it’s a product of the world we live in unfortunately,” he said to Yahoo Sport Australia.

“Sport is becoming sold through hyperbole and the next generation sort of expects that and that’s not Martin’s style.

“He’s very conversational, he’s old school and I grew up listening to people like that.”

But some fans did defend Tyler and his style of calling games.

Unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed Martin Tyler's commentary throughout the tournament! Was like a warm, familiar hug

— Sam Spence (@samdspence) December 18, 2022

Martin Tyler is the best in the sports commentators business in the English-speaking world. In comparison, Australian sports commentators are woeful

— Sasha Uzunov (@UZI9mmmm) December 18, 2022