World Cup 2022 - Team and Match Discussion

i think Mbappe is more stoppable than either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo have ever been (apart from the most recent version of Ronaldo).

Messi is a freak who does things nobody else can. no point in discussing comparisons with him. the comparison with Cristiano will be more interesting.

Cristiano in his pomp has everything Mbappe has, but what made him utterly unstoppable and clutch, was how he on top of all the skill, speed and trickery he developed the ability to poach goals, and in particular, the ability to score from absolutely anywhere - in the air from a set piece or cross, a shot from 30 yards. He could be nullified, but at some point, he will manage to get a goal somewhere in some way. Mbappe doesn't have that absolute GOAT ability yet.

But as has been mentioned, he has the time.

Ken Early talked about that virus the other day, was saying it's really bad out there at the moment, and has absolutely cut through the media folks there apparently. Lots of journos just skipping the pressers cause they don't want to catch it in those crowded rooms. That it's just quite a bad flu that really knocks you out, a lot of people needing hospital treatment etc. Anyway, his main point was that if Upamecano and Rabiot had it, that he could see a lot more having it there too, and how much it could impact the final. With Coman, Konate and Varane, it seems like it might have a big say in the outcome.

On the virus itself, I wonder if it's something we'll see become a bit of an issue internationally now. It's called a 'camel virus', and literally comes from camels. But with a reasonable number of people coming back from the region, we could well see it start to become a 'thing'. As if we didn't need another 'thing' after the last 3 bloody years.

I don't want Messi to win it. But in general I'd like Argentina to win it... Unfortunately it's not possible.

Not really fair to judge today's game as a "what if" for a possible final.

Hope Croatia win if this is Modric's last game.

Have Apres Match been around at all this World Cup ?

Nice to see him get a goal.

Morocco equalize just a minute later. Free header.

No, and I only realised it now when the thing is nearly over.

Apparently RTE got rid of Apres Match before the Euros last year - no explanation.

Pity, they would have a whole new crowd of presenters to imitate now.

If Italia 90 is anything to go by, if Ireland won a 3rd place play-off, we'd dine off it for fifty years.

The Moroccan players complain about every decision that goes against them. It's frustrating.

Some finish.

What a hit by Orsic.

Don’t think Croatia even brought on Orsic in the nil all group game vs Morocco.

I think it was time to go to be honest. They seem very tied to the Bill era in my mind.