Thread to discuss the football itself.
This is not a thread to discuss the hosting of the competition in Quatar.
You can discuss the hosting in the relevant thread.
Disappointing first half, wasn't expecting it to be so one-sided. France haven't shown up, but obviously Argentina have been great. Hoping it can at least be competitive in the second.
Is there trouble in the French camp? Benzema is training away in Madrid.
France are that listless it makes you have to wonder whether the virus was the cause.
Emi Martinez and Di Maria whining to the ref at Half Time.
I would love if refs started booking players for that shíte.
Feels like we’re watching the Di Maria from 2010 here, he looks incredibly fit for his age and the feet are just as quick as they’ve ever been. Top class baller.
Have to wonder if they’d be better off pushing Griezmann further up to CF in the second half. Maybe Camavinga into midfield to start trying to gain some control.
Argentina are brilliant. They scored a great goal and have effectively killed France’s attack. Complaining about the ref is nonsense, Argentina are just too good.
Signs were there all tournament that France could be got at by a team going at them and Deschamps should not have been relying on his sitting back tactics today.
For the sake of the game a France goal now would light it up but they don't deserve it.
De Pauls main function appears to be man mark the ref and constantly be yapping at him.
Deschamps hates camavinga though for whatever reason, fofana will always be chosen ahead of him.
Argentina deserve to be ahead. France haven't got going.
I can see a second half full of dark arts from the Argentinians.
Great to see Argentina click. The most fluid and attacking performance I've seen off them in years, finally playing to their potential.
They haven't been this good for most of the tournament. Something changed when they got the peno against Croatia, there was a release and the shackles came off. Hopefully they kick on and bury France here
I want to like Argentina for many reasons, but I can't because of their constant play acting and whining. Fernandez jumping to the ground clutching his stomach trying to get out of a booking the height of it.
Great commentary on BBC at HT 🤣
Get them tuned in for the 2nd
. . .
Was Mbappe on the pitch in the first half.
The game is over.
Again I am looking at a referee in disbelief.
Romero has gone in twice off his feet, plus through the back of Giroud and fouled Hernandez on the wing. Nothing.
Hernandez outjumps Messi on the edge of the box and Messi jumps into him, free to Messi.
De Paul is in his ear every 3 minutes - also could be booked for dissent.
For balance, he could have booked Kounde as well for repeated fouling on Di Maria.
The way Argentina are playing, they probably don't need the referee, but he has created an environment where they are so on the edge France don't know what to do. France need to get Griezmann into the game and try turn the Argentinian back 4.
To Argentina's credit, Scaloni has done it again with his formation. Di Maria, who was brilliant in his last game, brilliant again.
Needs an early goal for France, but I think the psychological damage is done by now.
just saw the peno on RTE - that was not a penalty - not even close. The defender didn’t even touch him.
Time for the tinfoil hats.
I think both teams are as unlikeable and unsporting as each other, Argentina have just exploited it more so far, don't think Mbappe won't take a dive in the box first chance he gets.
True, his lack of time has been very weird. Whatever any not starting him, he’s more than proven his impact from the bench for Real.
France suffering the same issue as PSG when it comes to the major games there forwards outright refuse to press and track back.
Surprised at that
They showed the contact clearly on BBC, Di Maria' s left leg. He was always going to fall over and it was always going to be given.
I like Messi but this Argentina team are horrible. Kicking out, playacting and hounding the ref. And yet another soft peno!
France haven’t gotten going at all, it’s like they’re all playing with the flu. Need a change in midfield I think.
I think both teams are as unlikeable and unsporting as each other, Argentina have just exploited it more so far,
This is their motto
Not sure if it's been planned like this but it's a masterclass in building momentum throughout a tournament. They've improved considerably with each game, and I was particularly impressed with them against the Dutch and then again v Croatia. Today is the crescendo. Although France have been abysmal which helps.
It wasnt much of a touch but there was one so it's definitely a penalty whether Di Maria went down easy or not.
Always liked Di Maria and I'm glad to see him win just as much as everyone else seems to be about Messi.
Least amount of touches of any player on the pitch. Less than useless
Must be something special in the stalls behind the opposite stand.
France starting the 2nd like the 1st
They really need to get their sh1t together
