2022 World Cup - Qatar

[Cruz_del_Sur]

They are supposed to represent world cups won by the team the crest represents. Uruguayans count the olympic games of 1924 and 1928, too (first wc was 1930).

 

[Bada-Bing!]

It's coming home baby.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Good first half of the 3rd place play off. Usually this match is naff because neither side want to be there.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Gareth Southgate decides to carry on in England job despite World Cup agony

Gareth Southgate has decided to continue as England’s head coach after considering his future in the wake of the World Cup quarter-final defeat by France

www.theguardian.com

 

[Bada-Bing!]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63943512

Confirmed now. Glad it's sorted until 2024. I think he's a good England manager, not a great one. He'll get England through qualifying, which others (McClaren,Taylor and even Ramsey) failed to do. But whether he gets England to the back end of tournaments to win one remains to be seen.

I think England need a system of playing which all the age groups play up to the Senior team to really take it to that next step. I still did not see that with this England side as with past ones. Otherwise I am afraid it will be same old story at future tournaments.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Almost time for:

V

 

[General Melchett]

Here's hoping for an early goal to make sure it's not a cagey defensive affair.

Not really subscribing to this "If Argentina win Messi is the undisputed GOAT". He could get sent off, have a stinker or a moment of genius from another player wins it for Argentina. He's definitely up there with the GOAT but I'm not really a fan of comparing different eras.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I'll go into this supporting Argentina then probably switch if they start harassing the ref while France just get on with it. I know sweet FA about football these days but France seem to have improved a little bit in defence as the tournament goes on and I'd give them the edge unless it goes to penalties (the Arg and Croat keepers seem to be demons at penalties).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think the GOAT debate is Messi v Ronaldo to be honest. Over their careers Messi has been the better player, he definitely had the easier ride but I don't think that's much of a factor.

Saying that, if I had a world cup or Champions league final where I could only choose one at their best I think I'd take Ronaldo. There's a number around 40-50 that I think if you take both of their best games of their career Ronaldo comes on top, it's where the argument that he can score with his head and both feet holds weight. Over the 800 games or whatever of their careers Messi is better though, I don't think there's much of an argument there.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Thank goodness not the Brazilian ref, who reffed England v France.

 

[General Melchett]

I think the GOAT debate is Messi v Ronaldo to be honest. Over their careers Messi has been the better player, he definitely had the easier ride but I don't think that's much of a factor.

Saying that, if I had a world cup or Champions league final where I could only choose one at their best I think I'd take Ronaldo. There's a number around 40-50 that I think if you take both of their best games of their career Ronaldo comes on top, it's where the argument that he can score with his head and both feet holds weight. Over the 800 games or whatever of their careers Messi is better though, I don't think there's much of an argument there.

I find it very hard to separate the two. They are arguably the two best players of their era.

I tend to disregard the heading ability part. Ronaldo was clearly a beast in the air but being 6 ft 1 he's more genetically blessed than Messi in that regard. Messi's lower centre of gravity gave him an advantage over Ronaldo in other ways. It's like arguing who is better between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. They have all been phenomenal and it boils down to very fine lines and often personal preferences.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

If France win this there is a non-zero chance that they will hold Football, Rugby, and Basketball world cups at the end of 2023. Throw in a possibility of French women 2023 soccer World Cup and it would be unthinkable.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Promising start with both sides committing players forward and not sitting in defensively much at all. Hard to see this being a goalless 130+ mins if tactics remain as they are.

 

[General Melchett]

Qatar v Ecuador seems like an eternity ago.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I think he has tripped over himself there.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Let's see what this France team are made of now.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

And the diving begins with no punishment...

 

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

2EZ