Football (Soccer) - General News

[Murat B.]

Cape Verde!!! How delicious! Spain were arrogant, and got what they deserved

It was like watching Australia Turkey all over again. Anti football wins. But I am not blaming them. That is the only way you can get something against teams that actually want to play. Fuck, Greece won a whole Euro Championship defending with 11 men. It is a legit tactic.

 

[Federberg]

 

[Murat B.]

Messi...39 years old. Hat Trick ! Mbappe, Haaland also kicking ass. I wish Nigeria was here so we could see Osimhen too.

 

[Federberg]

Messi...39 years old. Hat Trick ! Mbappe, Haaland also kicking ass. I wish Nigeria was here so we could see Osimhen too.

Nigeria messed up. Poor organisation, massive corruption. The teams and players were not prepared properly so the squads were not optimal until they lost a few qualifying matches and realised they needed to respect the qualification process. If they had taken it seriously there's no question they would have won their group. You would think heads will roll, but probably not.

 

[Federberg]

 

[don_fabio]

This WC is watered down. There is way too many games and weak teams. FIFA just cash grabbing this tournament attended by rich people. Never thought I will watch football matches split in quarters.

Stadiums are sick though.

 

[Murat B.]

This WC is watered down. There is way too many games and weak teams. FIFA just cash grabbing this tournament attended by rich people. Never thought I will watch football matches split in quarters.

Stadiums are sick though.

Correct and this has lead to a lot of anti football. Weak teams are defending with 11 people against stronger teams trying to create something. Not fun to watch. Until we get to the final 16 or 8 where both teams will be similar strength and will both want to win....

 

[Federberg]

I'm not sure I agree with all that. People clearly haven't been watching global football. There's more parity now. For example, a lot of people are surprised about Cape Verde.. not me. I watched AFCON. What we are seeing now are mediocre European national teams can no longer expect to beat non-South American teams. You play Japan, Korea, one of the big guys in Africa? You're losing, or you get away with a lucky draw. Germany had no business beating Côte d'Ivoire, they got away with that one. Things are not what they were before, we all need to get with the programme and accept it

 

[don_fabio]

I'm not sure I agree with all that. People clearly haven't been watching global football. There's more parity now. For example, a lot of people are surprised about Cape Verde.. not me. I watched AFCON. What we are seeing now are mediocre European national teams can no longer expect to beat non-South American teams. You play Japan, Korea, one of the big guys in Africa? You're losing, or you get away with a lucky draw. Germany had no business beating Côte d'Ivoire, they got away with that one. Things are not what they were before, we all need to get with the programme and accept it

There is truth in that too. Everyone is playing football and there are good teams outside of Europe and South America. Africa has become stronger with the rise of Marocco and Egypt and some other teams tend to suprise like Cote d'Ivore. They played better than Germans, but lost.

I just think that teams like Curacao, Qatar, Iraq and such are too weak, which makes games less interesting to watch when they are just defending the whole match.

Before we had groups that were way stronger and every match mattered. That is not the case now when a lot of 3rd teams from a group will advance to knockout stage. 39 days for a tournament is also too long to keep attention.

 

[Federberg]

There is truth in that too. Everyone is playing football and there are good teams outside of Europe and South America. Africa has become stronger with the rise of Marocco and Egypt and some other teams tend to suprise like Cote d'Ivore. They played better than Germans, but lost.

I just think that teams like Curacao, Qatar, Iraq and such are too weak, which makes games less interesting to watch when they are just defending the whole match.

Before we had groups that were way stronger and every match mattered. That is not the case now when a lot of 3rd teams from a group will advance to knockout stage. 39 days for a tournament is also too long to keep attention.

I get your point about the teams that you mentioned but this is a necessity for the expansion of football into countries that might not have the tradition. I would however strongly disagree with your characterisation of Côte d'Ivoire. It is, and has been one of the strongest footballing nations in Africa for at least the last two decades, I'm not sure Morocco is ahead of them on a consistent basis. In Africa the powerhouses are Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco, Algeria... but others like DRC, South Africa, Tunisia, Libya and more are or have been strong over periods. Those first seven though.. they've been around for generations, and you see the talent they have in the top European leagues. Nigeria might not be in this World Cup (an already discussed story), but they probably have more individuals playing for other countries than any other nationality in this World Cup. Just look at stars like Olise (France), and Balogun (USA). They're everywhere.. it's really not like it used to be anymore. That's one great thing about this World Cup. I'm loving the fact that parity is coming. I'm enjoying the fact that I had to warn someone at my local golf course that Cape Verde drawing with Spain was not as shocking at he thought

 

[Kieran]

Is that describing Ronaldo?

I always knew that Portugal coach was clueless, no matter what his reputation was..

 

[Federberg]

Is that describing Ronaldo?

I always knew that Portugal coach was clueless, no matter what his reputation was..

agreed! Short of an FA Cup for Wigan has he done anything else?

 

[Murat B.]

I don't know man...Where I come from , football is bigger than religion. People sit down on a vacant lot and watch kids play, critiquing every move LOL.
For myself, the best games are when both teams are playing to win. Nothing wrong with a good defensive scheme but don't make it your whole identity.

 

[Kieran]

England looked great in the first match, they looked like contenders. Slightly less so yesterday, but I suppose Ghana were well drilled. But interestingly, if things stay the same - and they won’t - they’re scheduled to meet Cape Verde in the next round, then possibly Scotland in the round of 16.

But that’ll change. They’ll need to improve on this though, and though everyone is saying Kane is God’s gift, when I think of Shearer or Lineker or Owen or Rooney, I don’t think Kane is in that league when it comes to the really crunch games…

 

[Kieran]

 

[Federberg]

England looked great in the first match, they looked like contenders. Slightly less so yesterday, but I suppose Ghana were well drilled. But interestingly, if things stay the same - and they won’t - they’re scheduled to meet Cape Verde in the next round, then possibly Scotland in the round of 16.

But that’ll change. They’ll need to improve on this though, and though everyone is saying Kane is God’s gift, when I think of Shearer or Lineker or Owen or Rooney, I don’t think Kane is in that league when it comes to the really crunch games…

they lacked creativity. No one who break the lines. Short of Saka and Djed Spence I can't think of anyone willing or able to take on the opposition with ball at feet.

Let's be honest, England were very very lucky. That was as clear cut a penalty as you'll see. I simply can't understand why the referee or VAR didn't award it to the Ghanaians

 

[Kieran]

they lacked creativity. No one who break the lines. Short of Saka and Djed Spence I can't think of anyone willing or able to take on the opposition with ball at feet.

Let's be honest, England were very very lucky. That was as clear cut a penalty as you'll see. I simply can't understand why the referee or VAR didn't award it to the Ghanaians

Totally. It was an open and shut case. I follow this bloke on insta and he always points out why, but this time even his explanation is superfluous, though his breakdown is good:

 

[don_fabio]

I feel England will be kicked out as soon as they meet some serious opponent in a knockout stage. There is always high expectations from them, they have great individuals, but as a team always lack something. You need winning mentality in these tournaments. That is France, Spain and such teams that know how to win a whole thing.

 

[don_fabio]

My Bosnian brothers went through today. They must be delirious over there. They were celebrating participation in a WC like they won a cup and they are now in a knockout stage.

Still unknown who they will play, but my money is on the other team. Bosnian defense is leaking from all sides.

 

[Kieran]

My Bosnian brothers went through today. They must be delirious over there. They were celebrating participation in a WC like they won a cup and they are now in a knockout stage.

Still unknown who they will play, but my money is on the other team. Bosnian defense is leaking from all sides.

As it stands right now, Bosnia will face America in the next round, with the winner facing the winner of the potential match between Egypt and Cape Verde..