2022 World Cup Thread

[mug644]

Both games similar. Winning managers dared the team that had shown limited real threat to score to beat the odds and do it in a big moment. Activity versus achievement on display. Winning teams had a duo of players (Dumfries/Memphis and Messi/Alvarez) that elevated and punished the mistakes of an opposing team that got too comfortable for a moment.

Argentina v. France would be a matchup worthy of a Cup final. Drama and storylines galore on and off the field.

In line with your thinking, I see Mbappe/Giroud being a French duo that could likely step up and make Morocco pay. I'd like to see Morocco win, but don't expect it. And, I agree that the storylines around Argentina v. France would be significant.

[Its DJOver]

Well that didn't take long.  Fear the floodgates might open.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Amazing shot and amazing save by Lloris.

[21Jumpstreet]

Could have easily been 3-0 France, even though Morocco looked out of sorts on defense all half, they managed to get a couple chances and hold strong.

[BM1090]

Could have easily been 3-0 France, even though Morocco looked out of sorts on defense all half, they managed to get a couple chances and hold strong.

Could have been. But I wouldn't be surprised if they level it.

Feels like another goal is coming either way.

[JWags85]

Well that didn't take long.  Fear the floodgates might open.

Credit to Morocco for tightening up after the early goal but the game has largely stunk.  France has been characteristically poor with their finishing and the rest of the game has been largely wasted opportunities.

Also this ref is wildly lenient.  This match should have at least 5 cards by now.

[tower912]

2

[lawdog77]

France is pretty damn good, even with missing some pretty important dudes.

[JWags85]

France is pretty damn good, even with missing some pretty important dudes.

Mbappe was struggling with a knock and was being discussed coming off...then proceeded to dummy a few defenders late on in absurd fashion.  They are so scary.  Hell, Griezmann is still in his prime, has scored 5 goals in just 14 La Liga appearances for a team that doesn't score much, just scored 9 goals in 16 apps for France in 2021...and he's kind of an after thought, a supporting player in attack.

I can't even fathom this team with an in-form Benzema

[jesmu84]

Amazing shot and amazing save by Lloris.

Spurs guaranteed to have a world cup winner after this

[Its DJOver]

Mbappe was struggling with a knock and was being discussed coming off...then proceeded to dummy a few defenders late on in absurd fashion.  They are so scary.  Hell, Griezmann is still in his prime, has scored 5 goals in just 14 La Liga appearances for a team that doesn't score much, just scored 9 goals in 16 apps for France in 2021...and he's kind of an after thought, a supporting player in attack.

I can't even fathom this team with an in-form Benzema

Their depth is just unfair. No Nkunku, no Kimpembe, no Lucas Hernandez, no Benzema, no Kante, no Pogba, then Rabiot and Upamecano get sick, and you can still afford to have Coman and Camavinga as unused subs. Players that are good enough to walk into just about any starting XI in the world can't find their way onto the field even after a slew of injuries.

[JWags85]

Their depth is just unfair. No Nkunku, no Kimpembe, no Lucas Hernandez, no Benzema, no Kante, no Pogba, then Rabiot and Upamecano get sick, and you can still afford to have Coman and Camavinga as unused subs. Players that are good enough to walk into just about any starting XI in the world can't find their way onto the field even after a slew of injuries.

Yep, and their attacking is so disgusting you forget that their back line is so good that Mendy, who basically starts at LB for Real Madrid, and Digne who has been an EPL mainstay who just sold for $35MM+...didn't even make the roster

[Its DJOver]

Proposal for the format of the 2026 WC.

12 groups of 4 teams.  Top 8 group winners in terms of points get byes into the round of 16.  Bottom 4 group winners are drawn into the round of 32 with all the group runners up.

Pros: No stupid 3 team groups.  No rewarding a 3rd place finisher from a group.  Encourage teams that won their first two games to actually try their third game and not just rest players (i.e. more games matter). No potential collusion (the US knew it that if it advanced it was gonna get someone from group A, also see Spain).  Continue to guarantee teams at least 3 games.

Cons: Winning a group doesn't guarantee a R16 appearance.  Some group runners up will be matched up with others while some will have to face group winners.  You have the potential to have a rematch with someone from your group before the Championship/3rd place game (although fun fact, for two WCs in a row the third place match will feature two teams from the same group). The number of games it takes to win the tournament is not the same for everyone.

There's just no easy way to do a 48 team tournament.  3 team groups just don't work, and personally I hate the idea of letting a third place team from a group qualify for the knockouts.  I know why they me$$ed with a perfect 32 team format, but its gonna be messy regardless.

[tower912]

Epic?  Or a little dull as the teams play not to lose?

[Hards Alumni]

Epic?  Or a little dull as the teams play not to lose?

Not how these teams play

[tower912]

... and you have Messi coming inside...


Beavis and Butthead laugh

[MuggsyB]

Are penalty kicks usually automatic?  That looked like Novak at the FT line. 

[tower912]

Many games have. been decided by penalty kicks.  The goalie who stops 2 out of 5 is usually a hero.

[Hards Alumni]

Many games have. been decided by penalty kicks.  The goalie who stops 2 out of 5 is usually a hero.

Correct.

[MuggsyB]

Pretty dominant half from the Argentines. 

[Hards Alumni]

Pretty dominant half from the Argentines.

Undoubtedly.  France played like there was another game next week.  Pulling one of their best scorers (Giroud) early was... interesting.

[MuggsyB]

You can tell Messi is different.  Even as an every four year viewer.  He's retiring?

[The Sultan]

You can tell Messi is different.  Even as an every four year viewer.  He's retiring?

Eventually

[Hards Alumni]

You can tell Messi is different.  Even as an every four year viewer.  He's retiring?

Yeah Messi is great, and water is wet.  He's 35.  If he were to come back for the next WC he'd be 39.  No reason for him to come back.  Nothing to prove to anyone.  Why come back as a player who will have clearly lost a step by then?

[MuggsyB]

Yeah Messi is great, and water is wet.  He's 35.  If he were to come back for the next WC he'd be 39.  No reason for him to come back.  Nothing to prove to anyone.  Why come back as a player who will have clearly lost a step by then?

He seems to have more natural talent than these other guys.  His passing appears to be at a different level. 

Dumb penalty there.