Board 8 > Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 - Topic 4

(+) Yeah! (+)

England's midfield 3 is likely an advantage vs France's midfield.
I think at this moment in time, Tchouameni is the best midfielder, but not by too much, but Rabiot is a liability. I don't see Henderson or Rice being that.

France's main hope is that Giroud can make the game easy for Mbappe/Griezmann.
I also kinda think Varane/Lloris could cost them at the back, ideally I'd want to see Konate/Upamecano at the back.
Gonna be very interesting to see what lineups are announced.

voltch posted...

England's midfield 3 is likely an advantage vs France's midfield.

I'd be surprised if we're not 3-4-3 vs France

If we go with a back 5 i think we've lost before we start.

Argentina was a few centimeters from being gifted a goal by the GK there

shane15 posted...

If we go with a back 5 i think we've lost before we start.

Tend to agree.
Midfield is where England should capitalise on their advantage. Denmark and Poland showed if you try to brute force things you can score against France.
I'm very worried because England have lots of options that in theory just work.

Whether you cheer for Messi or not

Enjoy him while he's still here.

That Messi pass hot damn

Goat boy does it again!

Well, I heard that from my office.

lol straight up punched the ball there.

So many cards this half

Walter Samuel getting a card sure was a throwback lol. Even in 22 we can't have Argentina in a tournament without it.

Holland may be known for total football but they have a few famous games filled with bookings.

The 2010 final is the first thing that comes to mind, but I also recall Portugal/Holland in 06 having a lot of cards.

How is that not only not a yellow for Dumfries but somehow not even a freekick lol

Snoozer after that goal

Messi delivers another perfect pass and somehow Argentina doesn't make it 2-0

And they have to kick him down to stop him again

Holland look like they have no idea what to do atm. Dumfries have been completely shut down after his previous perfect game. Seems like Holland will try headers now, where they should have the advantage.

I don't think an equalizer is out of the question, even if Argentina has looked better this half, but Holland needs to keep their cool. You can feel they're frustrated.

Think I'd favour England, France and Portugal vs Argentina.
If Morocco make the final I'd be surprised but rooting for them at that point.

Well that ends the game

Well, this one's over.

voltch posted...

Think I'd favour England, France and Portugal vs Argentina.

Argentina tends to never look dominant but still have their games in control. It was the same in 2014 where they might as well have won. I saw a stat that said Holland hadn't recorded fewer shots on target in forever after one half.

Sharp contrast in the last two matches I've seen live

Ronaldo comes on 75m in for charity minutes, his team clearly better off without him
Messi dominates the game against a superior opponent and is the clear difference

Sums it up nicely tbh. He is, and has always been, a cut above.

Well Ronaldo is a few years older after all, but I'll admit I've always thought it has been more a debate than it should.

Wonder how Argentina will look post Messi.

ctesjbuvf posted...

Argentina tends to never look dominant but still have their games in control. It was the same in 2014 where they might as well have won. I saw a stat that said Holland hadn't recorded fewer shots on target in forever after one half.

Different players though on both sides.
Think if this Holland had Robben and Van Persie they'd have a better shout.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/6/7/AAKKwUAAD-Kr.jpg

voltch posted...

Different players though on both sides.
Think if this Holland had Robben and Van Persie they'd have a better shout.

Absolutely. Messi gets a lot of credit for the 2014 run (not undeserved either), but Mascherano against those guys in the semi final that year is one of the best defensive performances I can recall.

We might have a match again

Weghorst be happy he doesn't get sent off there.

At least if go down, they go down swinging'!

Van Gaal essentially devolving to Sam Allardyce Bolton football.

Now it's getting spicy!

Should be red for both Paredes and Van Dijk

Lahoz is a joke of a ref

Argentina subbed everyone off and are now shocked they are getting their ass kicked

ctesjbuvf posted...

Should be red for both Paredes and Van Dijk

Who booted the ball at the bench?

I am surprised there's been no reds at all

masterplum posted...

Argentina subbed everyone off and are now shocked they are getting their ass kicked

It's more the Holland subs I think. They should have played like this earlier.

XIII_Rocks posted...

Who booted the ball at the bench?

I am surprised there's been no reds at all

Paredes did. Then Van Dijk knocked him down in response.

Hope Croatia end Argentina's run.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy shit

Holy shit last minute heroics.

Things are gettin' real crucial, up the old Wazoo...

I swear if Holland and Croatia complete the double today

Jesus.

I was at the bottom of the stairs in the stadium and then just immediately turned around

YESSSSS LET'S GO HOLLAND

What a clever freekick

The Argentina crowd that celebrated 5 minutes before it was over deserved this so much
What don't you understand about it's not over until it's over

This might be more dramatic than 98 Holland vs Argentina QF where we saw 2 red cards including one for Ortega headbutt on Van de Sar.

No way they actually celebrated but just tried to cheer them on.

I mean Paredes, Van Dijk and Weghorst should have been off already, we will see what happens now.