The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by AK797

He's not hungry enough. I was afraid he was mentally weak after the first game, and previous tourneys, but had to give him the benefit of the doubt, but in this game he just disappeared, he should have dropped into midfield and been the creator for Aguero and Iguain, but God knows what he and the coach are thinking.

Agreed. Didn't like the formation Sampaoli chose (obviously easy to judge after the game). Also didn't like subbing in Dybala on the wing, when is most definitely not a wing and Di Maria is sitting on the bench wondering why am I not playing? Overall - 2 weak efforts by Argentina. I though Croatia deserved the win overall.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

He attempted 11 shots on goal vs Iceland, but none hit the back of the net. He also assisted in several other attempts, such as the play that created the penalty, which he missed.

He is one man , not a team or a whole country!!!
Sad ???? Yes , but true ...

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by AK797

He's not hungry enough. I was afraid he was mentally weak after the first game, and previous tourneys, but had to give him the benefit of the doubt, but in this game he just disappeared, he should have dropped into midfield and been the creator for Aguero and Higuain, but God knows what he and the coach are thinking.

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Agreed. Didn't like the formation Sampaoli chose (obviously easy to judge after the game). Also didn't like subbing in Dybala on the wing, when is most definitely not a wing and Di Maria is sitting on the bench wondering why am I not playing? Overall - 2 weak efforts by Argentina. I though Croatia deserved the win overall.

Sad !!! Not really a Croatia fan but Messi is only one man !
I’m of another opinion . Saw the goals and I think Croatia
unfortunately caught Argentina on a very emotional bad day ...

[AK797]

Originally Posted by superstarmar

Sad !!! Not really a Croatia fan but Messi is only one man !
I’m of another opinion . Saw the goals and I think Croatia
unfortunately caught Argentina on a very emotional bad day ...

In my first or second post I said I was backing Messi to be a star and to take Argentina very far, but the rivalry with Ronaldo seems to have made Ronaldo stronger and Messi weaker. I thought Messi was tougher than this, but he looks like a fair-weather type, and Ronaldo a hurricane type.

[dmash]

Argentina is going to disown Messi if they go out in group stages.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by AK797

In my first or second post I said I was backing Messi to be a star and to take Argentina very far, but the rivalry with Ronaldo seems to have made Ronaldo stronger and Messi weaker. I thought Messi was tougher than this, but he looks like a fair-weather type, and Ronaldo a hurricane type.

Originally Posted by dmash

Argentina is going to disown Messi if they go out in group stages.

Yup !!! Agreed

[AK797]

Looking forward to Brazil, expecting a real samba show... or this really will be the year of the underdog.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by AK797

Looking forward to Brazil, expecting a real samba show... or this really will be the year of the underdog.

Costa Rica is going to put 11 guys behind the ball line, so it's not going to be an open, skillful game.

[KBM]

This is ridiculous. Now we have to play against the ref as well.

[GB-man]

Costa Rica straight taking a nap on the pitch

[Zakalwe]

A few players here auditioning for the Oscars. Embarrassing.

[GB-man]

Finally

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

A few players here auditioning for the Oscars. Embarrassing.

When the two guys were down at the same time that was ridiculous. Got what they deserved.

[Zakalwe]

I was looking forward to Neymar’s post match tantrum.

[KBM]

Goooooooolllllllll

[City74]

I could almost root for Brazil.....if they didn’t have Neymar. Hate that guy.

[cdmorenot]

Neymar is the biggest POS in football. Talented? Heck yes. This is what happens when you give money to a bum.

Sad for Navas - Happy about the Brazil win. Costa Rica thought they could win the game by burning time.

No way.

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[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

Neymar is the biggest POS in football. Talented? Heck yes. This is what happens when you give money to a bum.

Sad for Navas - Happy about the Brazil win. Costa Rica thought they could win the game by burning time.

No way.

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Perhaps controversial...

Agree supremely talented. But also a hype job. He isn’t quite as good as the press he gets. Sure he’s scored a boatload for Brazil, but not so much when it counts and they do play a lot of games against rubbish teams.

He’s not fit to lace up the boots of (Brazilian) Ronaldo, Romario or Ronaldinho.

[AK797]

Referee was brilliant, tough and not afraid to reverse a wrong penalty he awarded. Neymar tried to boss him but he lost that battle! Hope all refs take note.

Neymar impressed me today, he's not match fit and his touch was poor but he didn't hide away and he always wanted the ball and wanted to try things even when his legs were too slow, great attitude. Messi take note.

Overall Brazil are good but nothing to fear. I don't really fancy them, unless Coutinho starts to dominate their play. Hope they play Germany soon... if Germany get thru that is...

[KBM]

Originally Posted by AK797

Referee was brilliant, tough and not afraid to revers a wrong penalty he awarded. Neymar tried to boss him but he lost that battle! Hope all refs take note.

Neymar impressed me today, he's not match fit and his touch was poor but he didn't hide away and he always wanted the ball and wanted to try things even when his legs were too slow, great attitude. Messi take note.

Overall Brazil are good but nothing to fear. I don't really fancy them, unless Coutinho starts to dominate their play. Hope they play Germany soon... if Germany get thru that is...

One thing we can agree on, my friend: hope we get Germany as soon as possible. Can't. Wait.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by kauebm

One thing we can agree on, my friend: hope we get Germany as soon as possible. Can't. Wait.

me neither, maybe we can make it 8 goals this year It only took us 29 minutes to score 5 last time.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by dmash

me neither, maybe we can make it 8 goals this year

We'll see.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Perhaps controversial...

Agree supremely talented. But also a hype job. He isn’t quite as good as the press he gets. Sure he’s scored a boatload for Brazil, but not so much when it counts and they do play a lot of games against rubbish teams.

He’s not fit to lace up the boots of (Brazilian) Ronaldo, Romario or Ronaldinho.

Sad that people don't talk about Pele as they used to. I guess because the new generation never saw him playing. I'm not that old (48) but I remember from my childhood and there was no other like him. Three times world champion, largest number of gols scored in history (1279), I mean, the guy is the most important player in this sport and was a pleasure to see in the field. All those guys you mentioned were great but none was a true genious like him. Neymar is a very talented guy that I wish were more serious, but he still have time to mature I hope.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Sad that people don't talk about Pele as they used to. I guess because the new generation never saw him playing. I'm not that old (48) but I remember from my childhood and there was no other like him. Three times world champion, largest number of gols scored in history (1279), I mean, the guy is the most important player in this sport and was a pleasure to see in the field. All those guys you mentioned were great but none was a true genious like him. Neymar is a very talented guy that I wish were more serious, but he still have time to mature I hope.

Spot on.

I try to avoid comparisons with player's I've never seen play. Pele was obviously an all time great, widely considered the greatest and I can't argue with that because I never saw him. But people who say "player x was amazing" whilst never actually seeing x play are being a bit disingenuous. So I compared Neymar to the three best Brazilians that I've seen with my own eyes. And he ain't as good! So 3-World Cups Pele is a long way in the distance, even if Neymar breaks his scoring record.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Spot on.

I try to avoid comparisons with player's I've never seen play. Pele was obviously an all time great, widely considered the greatest and I can't argue with that because I never saw him. But people who say "player x was amazing" whilst never actually seeing x play are being a bit disingenuous. So I compared Neymar to the three best Brazilians that I've seen with my own eyes. And he ain't as good! So 3-World Cups Pele is a long way in the distance, even if Neymar breaks his scoring record.

I get it buddy. That's normal actually. It was just something your post made me remember.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by kauebm

One thing we can agree on, my friend: hope we get Germany as soon as possible. Can't. Wait.

Yes, huge game for you guys, and an even huger game for them v Sweden, who are not a bad side and they could end Germany's WC early, I would much prefer Korea first.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by AK797

Yes, huge game for you guys, and an even huger game for them v Sweden, who are not a bad side and they could end Germany's WC early, I would much prefer Korea first.

Yes, less traditional teams have been putting on quite a fight is this world cup, it's been really interesting to watch! Hope Germany goes past the group stage, though, as the tournament wouldn't be as exciting without them.

Shame Italy and Holland aren't here as well.

[tudorbaja27]

Iceland! Pretty much all favored teams have disappointed so far. Feel bad for Keylor "the man" Navas.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Yes, less traditional teams have been putting on quite a fight is this world cup, it's been really interesting to watch! Hope Germany goes past the group stage, though, as the tournament wouldn't be as exciting without them.

Shame Italy and Holland aren't here as well.

I think defences are better organised and better disciplined, like Costa Rica were, esp at 0-0, so getting that first goal is very important to the "good" teams to then open them up.

As I'm English I can't hope Germany go thru, I just can't.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by AK797

I think defences are better organised and better disciplined, like Costa Rica were, esp at 0-0, so getting that first goal is very important to the "good" teams to then open them up.

As I'm English I can't hope Germany go thru, I just can't.

Believe me, not easy for me to root for them as well . But, in the end, I just crave the big games.