World Cup 2022 - Team and Match Discussion

mjsc1970 · 09-12-2022 11:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977673#Comment_119977673

Please no

el Fenomeno · 09-12-2022 11:07PM

It would be mental if the last 15 years or so of debates came down to a Portugal vs Argentina final. If Portugal did make it that far, it's unlikely Ronaldo would be starting, but I'm sure he'd come off the bench at some stage.

Even 15/20 minutes of Ronaldo vs Messi in a World Cup final, despite one of them being on a serious decline, would be magical. Surely one of them would pop up with the winner.

martyos121 · 09-12-2022 11:08PM

If Portugal and England make it through tomorrow, I fear I might actually end up supporting the latter to win the cup.

I just don’t like what’s left at this stage, Croatia and Argentina are pretty tough to watch and Portugal are as toxic a side I’ve ever seen in international football. Sh*thousery is only enjoyable once someone gets their comeuppance for it.

As that gimp Infantino would say; Tomorrow, I’m Moroccan.

Mr.Nice Guy · 09-12-2022 11:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977669#Comment_119977669

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.

trashcan · 09-12-2022 11:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977675#Comment_119977675

Mainly for Messi, yeah. But I’m not sure what’s wrong with their style compared with the other contenders ? They were the better team over 120 minutes tonight. OK, the ref should have booked Messi for the handball but I thought it was a peno, took his legs inside the box. The Dutch had about 10 minutes after they scored and Argentina panicked.

Fitz* · 09-12-2022 11:09PM

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.

~Rebel~ · 09-12-2022 11:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977705#Comment_119977705

It would've been magical 8, or maybe even 4, years ago... Ronaldo just doesn't offer enough now though.

y0ssar1an22 · 09-12-2022 11:12PM

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

09-12-2022 11:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977712#Comment_119977712

Fair enough, just being curious.

I personally think France and England play better stuff but to be fair very few international teams play brilliant football (Portugal were good against the Swiss). I think it’s just their antics to be honest, just feels like they could actually be a much better watch if they played football, rather than spending most of the match trying to antagonise the opposition.

irishguitarlad · 09-12-2022 11:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119976922#Comment_119976922

Yeah he's always at that, as you can see tonight he lost complete control of the game. Welcome to La Liga refereeing.

~Rebel~ · 09-12-2022 11:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977710#Comment_119977710

There's nothing in the rules or basic ideology of the game that a free kick should guarantee a high-quality shot straight at goal. It's just a free kick, same as everywhere else on the pitch - you may get one closer to goal, from which you can try something more dangerous, and you're given all the time you need to work out your tactics and strike it however you wish. Having an extra man in the wall means an extra attacker free, and attacking teams can see if they can use that to take advantage by doing something else. We saw something interesting done today for the first time in aaages, and i'd rather see more of that, of teams looking to innovate, than force the game to get stuck in a pre-determined pattern.

I think football is better when it's not hyper regulated with room for the unexpected, and the counter actions to that. So I prefer the simple situation of a free, from which you can do what you want tactically, and the defending team can do what they want to try to counter act your plans.

sligeach · 09-12-2022 11:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977708#Comment_119977708

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.

Drumpot · 09-12-2022 11:21PM

1990 World Cup

Argentina lose first game

They over rely on one exceptional player

They don’t play a particularly entertaining football

Their goalkeeper performs heroics in penalties on way to final

The list keeps synchronising up the further they go in this.

sligeach · 09-12-2022 11:24PM

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.

Prisoner6409 · 09-12-2022 11:24PM

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.

pjohnson · 09-12-2022 11:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977710#Comment_119977710

About an hour ago, the Dutch scored a low Free Kick.

sligeach · 09-12-2022 11:32PM

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

Ferris_Bueller · 09-12-2022 11:32PM

What a game tonight, such entertainment and drama throughout the second half and extra time. The Netherlands free kick was pure genius. I thought they would go on to win it but the Messi narrative continues and I'll be all aboard that train for the next ten days or so.

Agree France are the best team left in it but this tournament has had a few surprises to date. Hopefully France beat England tomorrow and then Portugal should beat Morocco (have a feeling they will be exhausted after the last game).

Knockout rounds have been disappointing to date but tonight really made me appreciate the world cup again.

jacool · 09-12-2022 11:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977799#Comment_119977799

I agree that the Dutch were crap in 2010, but if that is the basis for your argument, do you want to back to 1978, and the World Cup played in Argentina, a country being run by a junta for 2 years? The game between Argentina and Peru was fixed to kick out Brazil. Reasons enough there to go against the Albiceleste. They have been dirt for 40 years. Stupid logic, yes, but you started it!

Clearly though tonight something happened between the referee and Argentina, because this was the most biased and corrupt refereeing I have ever seen at a World Cup. He'll be on the next plane out of Doha, and Argentina will get to wondering how to assault the Croatians. They will find out, however, that they are ever so slightly more physical than the Dutch. Hopefully, there'll be a ref on duty that day who knows the rules and isn't just chasing a jersey as a souvenir.

jacool · 09-12-2022 11:42PM

Pure dirt

billyhead · 10-12-2022 12:02AM

Such an unlikeable team. I hope Croatia stuff them.

BorneTobyWilde · 10-12-2022 12:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977673#Comment_119977673

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

NIMAN · 10-12-2022 12:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977980#Comment_119977980

Croatia ain't stuffing anybody, considering they play without a forward.

They had one shot on target today, and that was the goal in extra time, and it was deflected.

They are no great watch either.

TheRiverman · 10-12-2022 12:12AM

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.

TheRiverman · 10-12-2022 12:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119977980#Comment_119977980

They are nothing without Messi.

billyhead · 10-12-2022 12:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119978007#Comment_119978007

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.