World Cup 2022 - Team and Match Discussion

I would argue the rules are no longer fit for purpose. In years gone by, a player taking a free could go high or go low. The option of going low has now been taken off the table by this practice of planking behind the main wall. Do we not want the sport to favour the attacking team? The fouled team, as opposed to the foulers? When is the last time you saw a successful, low free-kick? Previously it was a gamble for the attacking team to go for it, hoping that the wall would jump. It was a fair balance. Now we have an imbalance due to this second barrier tactic.

I know the lawmakers could sort this out with little difficulty. They've made up all sorts of rules for issues much less important.

Drama filled game. Lots of entertainment throughout - partially because of the referee wanting to be centre stage.

Worth noting that Messi stepped up straight away to take his penalty after Netherlands had missed theirs. No waiting around to be the 5th or score the winning penalty for the headlines and ego. Instead he done the important thing. Score and take the lead straight away. Set the tone for his teammates and let them take the headlines. They all win together. A few others should take note.

and messi passes out batistuta as argie all time world cup scorer. as far as i'm concerned the best striker the last 20 years followed by RVN

Meh. There were players who should have been booked, and weren't. Van Dijk in that mini melee. Could have been sent off, but weren't. Wieghorst. I think the refs try to protect the players, especially the standout players, they're probably instructed to do so.

I think we can all agree that the worst outcome for the other semi-final would be Portugal v England. So fingers crossed for Morocco and France. France are the probably the best team left in the tournament.

Glad Argentina are through, Dutch were always known for the dirt, kicked the **** out of the Spanish in 2010. However what was Argentinas no 4, Montiel thinking pushing that dutch player in the back just outside the penalty area with a minute to go, are these footballers idiots, no brains?, he nearly caused Argentina to go home.

They replaced Pitch Perfect 3 with an equally pile of $#1#€! Is it called First Dates Ireland?

Pure dirt

2-2

Ronaldo scores 2, Messi scores 2

Extra time, Messi picks up ball in midfield, dances through 5 players to score the winner with 1 minute to go

I have never seen Virgil Van Dijk take a penalty until tonight. It's good to see the Captain step up and take responsibility, but to my eyes and I know people will disagree, he never looked like he was going to score it, even the way he stood behind the ball didn't look right.

Fair enough but you should show respect to your opponent's. Reminds me of when Keown made that monkey face after Van Nistlerooy missed the peno for United. Keown was awful horrible cnut.

Pity they haven't one or two good goalscorers, considering they still have such a wonderful play maker in Modric.

He was excellent today, but a goalscorer he ain't.

Croatia are dogged. I would never call them a flair team. Then again, very few teams are these days.

Often it's about managing games. Croatia never seem to quit, that's why they have been involved on extra time and penalties often.

This is my suspicion, too. That photo looks terrible from an Argentinian point of view, but I would guess that they were goaded to some degree by the Dutch. If they were, then fairs fair. If they weren't, then they should be ashamed as I've never seen that before in a penalty shoot-out.

Odds on Croatia holding out for another shoot-out?

So you think they are gonna lose in the final to Germany ?

😁

Morocco versus Croatia would be an awesome final.

An Argentine ref team for the Morocco vs. Portugal game this afternoon.

They reff'ed South Korea's win over Portugal

I wonder will they favour Morocco so Ronnie doesn't get as far as Messi in this World Cup.

I thought he was equally bad for both sides to be honest. Of course Messi should have been booked but so too should Van Dijk. Refs have clearly been instructed to only issue red cards as a last resort (which is a good thing) which saved a few players last night, Timber being the obvious one. He committed 2 fouls after his booking that would be guaranteed yellows in the PL.

i don’t mind a bit of needle in a game and much prefer it to one where players get booked for being in the general vicinity of someone who throws themselves to the ground.

While Argentina aren’t the nicest team they are choirboys in comparison to the 1990 version!

Every pantomime needs a villain. The way I look at it when under pressure and it is last resort a nation falls back on their in built ‘culture’. Argentina has always had an ‘edge’ it is how they play football.

When Argentina were underachieving many said they played nice football but… . The collective did not seem to be there.

Now they have that togetherness them against the world. Creating the persecution complex. And it is working for them.

As for the Dutch they tried the same thing in 2010 even more OTT and it nearly worked.

But yesterday we saw the true Dutch culture - tactical ingenuity under the peak of pressure.

As for the image up above you posted. That is just the competitive winning mentality when there is an edge in game. Some cross the boundary of what is decent - and others react, that is sport.

All players don’t go hugging each other and asking ‘how do you feel?’

People may have short memories but a quick search of Fernando Couto and Aldridge 1995 reveals the following image and story.

And I still remember it, that’s sport. The red hot caldron of competition gives memories. If soccer was completely sanitised it would lose its soul. Becoming mind numbingly dull.