World Cup 2022
- Thread starter princekwekua
- Start date
The French were done. They seized the opportunity to win after the penalty which gave them a much needed bounce back into the game.
Argentina were the best team on the day. I’m glad they won. For France to be asleep for 80 mins and win on penalties would have been sore.
The slimy FIFA fix was in, not only was a clear penalty not given. the Albiceleste cheering section was allowed on the pitch.
It almost didn't work, when Camavinga (Real Madrid) and Coman came into the match, the French midfield suddenly had some zip. Scaloni brought in Dybala with minutes remaining - he's good at taking penalties. That's how they won. Szymon Marciniak earned his share of the kickback, after the match Didier Deschamps observed, "Argentina have never had bad luck with refereeing".
It's not the first time FIFA has engaged in filth. In 2002, Sepp Blatter wanted the host nations to go deep. Italy and Spain were eliminated through some very shady officiating.
Don't be surprised if Messi lobbies for Saudi Barbarica to get 2030 WC.
Number of countries in 2026 tournament will be 48, an increase from 32. They were looking initially at 16 groups of 3 with the winner of each group proceeding to the knock out stage. But the success of the 4-team grouping, with the qualifiers unknown till the last round, is leading to a reconsideration. Eventual format unknown.
Observations:
Just like in any sport, a transcendental player is required to win it all. Mbappe (2018) and Messi (2022) are the equivalents of Tom Brady (NFL) and Steph Curry (NBA). Messi and Mpabbe took and converted all penalties in the final while Harry Kane missed second England penalty against France, dooming the 3 Lions, and Neymar did not even participate in the Brazil penalty shootout against Croatia.
Brazil apparently has a Pele-like talent coming in 16-year old Endrick. He has already been signed by Real Madrid to join them in 2024 when he turns 18. If the comparison turns out to be correct, then Brazil will be competitive in 2026. Otherwise, please hand the 2026 trophy over to France if Mbappe stays healthy. He will be 27 and at the height of his prowess.
After Giroud, Hernandez, and Griezemann were substituted in the final, France featured 10 black position players. Hugo Lloris in goal was incredibly the only white player left on the France team. And the die hard racists in France still cheered for their team. Which goes to show that in any endeavour, immigration is a powerful tool for success in any country. Lots of doctors, software engineers, science and engineering professors in Ontario are Indians. Silicon Valley was basically built and is being supported by Indian computer programmers, which is why Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM all currently have Indian born CEOs.
For all the enthusiasm, the Canadian team is far from being able to compete at the top levels. Not enough outstanding players.
World Cup withdrawal syndrome in full force in our home and several others around the world. What a fabulously amazing tournament! No other sporting tournament comes remotely close to the excitement and nail-biting turns and twists of the World Cup.
Cheers
Just like in any sport, a transcendental player is required to win it all. Mbappe (2018) and Messi (2022) are the equivalents of Tom Brady (NFL) and Steph Curry (NBA). Messi and Mpabbe took and converted all penalties in the final while Harry Kane missed second England penalty against France, dooming the 3 Lions, and Neymar did not even participate in the Brazil penalty shootout against Croatia.
Brazil apparently has a Pele-like talent coming in 16-year old Endrick. He has already been signed by Real Madrid to join them in 2024 when he turns 18. If the comparison turns out to be correct, then Brazil will be competitive in 2026. Otherwise, please hand the 2026 trophy over to France if Mbappe stays healthy. He will be 27 and at the height of his prowess.
After Giroud, Hernandez, and Griezemann were substituted in the final, France featured 10 black position players. Hugo Lloris in goal was incredibly the only white player left on the France team. And the die hard racists in France still cheered for their team. Which goes to show that in any endeavour, immigration is a powerful tool for success in any country. Lots of doctors, software engineers, science and engineering professors in Ontario are Indians. Silicon Valley was basically built and is being supported by Indian computer programmers, which is why Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM all currently have Indian born CEOs.
For all the enthusiasm, the Canadian team is far from being able to compete at the top levels. Not enough outstanding players.
World Cup withdrawal syndrome in full force in our home and several others around the world. What a fabulously amazing tournament! No other sporting tournament comes remotely close to the excitement and nail-biting turns and twists of the World Cup.
Cheers
Absolutely correct, my esteemed colleague. Logic and objectivity are paramount.
AFAIC, I have no need to further this discussion.
AFAIC, I have no need to further this discussion.
Yeah it's a rule so technically if the referee had seen it he could have called it. But they never do. Only case I saw a ref calling it was because it was a player who step up on the field at goal line level. Not far like that at the bench.The French are saying Messi's third goal is not valid because as he was scoring it 2 Argentinian players were in the field cheering. Rules say the goal should've been annulled. But I guess the referee didn't see them.
Enough already. They played comatose for 80 minutes. Didnt deserve to win. I am glad the greatest player in the past 30 years got to lift the WC trophy to cement his legacy. That said, we havent seen the like of Mbappe ever. What a player!The French are saying Messi's third goal is not valid because as he was scoring it 2 Argentinian players were in the field cheering. Rules say the goal should've been annulled. But I guess the referee didn't see them.
Pele won 3 World Cups. So for me Pele. Maradona. Messi. In that order
Ditto. Mbappe is young enough to pull that off if he stays healthy.
Maradona's accelerations and dribbles were mesmerizing, I'd rank him ahead of Messi too.
They lost game 1. And had 2 decisive pass group stage game that went into PK. No way that would have happen if it was rigged.
