World Cup Thread
- Thread starter StuBlue270_uk
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He's definitely slowed. No more pitch-length runs. Started one against England & stopped after 20-30 yards. But smarter than ever.
His role is different because Argentina has built a strong team around him. He doesn’t have to be THE guy. Of course he’s so good that every game he’s the best player on the field. No matter who they play. I have no doubt he could play at 43 in Spain, Portugal and morroco. I would say Argentina would end up placed in Spain. If the WC were anywhere else other than SA or Spain I would say he’s done but he will want the chance to play in Spain for WC. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went back and played a couple seasons for Barcelona. As long as he’s best (or top 3)in the world he will keep playing.
No doubt.
What he does for Argentina just works. They've built their team in a way that caters to him, and he's proved that's worth it. Portugal tried to do the same with Christiano Ronaldo, and that's been a mistake twice now. But Messi is so smart and versatile that it's a totally viable plan for Argentina.
I was stunned that when they played England, Lautaro Martinez started out on the bench. Martinez is the best player for the best team in Italy, and he's 100% still in his prime. But structurally, it made sense for him not to play- until the end, when he came on, Messi moved out more to the wing, and then hit him for the winning goal.
Very entertaining 3rd place game. England being up 4-0 at half was crazy. France storming back to 4-3 was even crazier. A 6-4 finish gave those fans, regardless of which side/country they were on an absolute show!
Both teams said to hell with defense let's show out, love it!
Both teams said to hell with defense let's show out, love it!
Ya I think USA fans would get more involved with 6-4 as opposed to 2-1 games. Most pro sports have tried to emphasize offense more.
Yeah well meaningless games tend to turn into high scoring affairs. It’s almost like an all star game. With little defense or it will be a one sided game like it was at half. The problem for the USA is that soccer is a 2-1 / 1-0 type game. And it’s not gonna change. If there’s no defense there is no control. It’s just run and gun. Some teams only have a prayer because they can’t defend well enough to get a game at least to pks. Spain is that type of team.
Tomorrow will be a 1-0/2-1 type game I believe and it will be far better than what we saw today. I understand that’s entertaining that’s a mindset the USA has it must chang. scoring and goals do not equal wins. Defending and winning the midfield wins games. The game isn’t going to change for the USA and the system is completely broken in USA.
I like Spain to win but Argentina always finds a way to win. If Messi gets this win it further adds to his GOAT status.
I will always disagree. I think that is a major problem with USA soccer, that they value posession too much. You can posess the ball a bunch but if that does not equal scoring chances, then who cares.
You can find plenty of games where the losing team had more posession, such as England/Mexico and USA/Belgium, so posession does not always equal wins.
Attack, attack, attack, Until the defense proves it can continuously stop you.
When I think soccer reaching old people, I think Madonna.
I’ve lost more than you will ever have. Point taken.
I've lost more than anyone in the world. I'm just the saddest wittle Beatle Boy. Pwease feel sowwee 4 me.
I'm disappointed. I wanted Argentina to win on penalty kicks without ever taking a shot in the game.
I don’t know the rules but thought the announcers said they could not sub until extra period.
It was an absolutely fantastic World Cup.
Atlas Shrugged provides the most astute description of the results of communism in any literary writing--
Starnesville---the ultimate commie creation.
Pathetic, but accurate.
rr
Starnesville---the ultimate commie creation.
Pathetic, but accurate.
rr
Me too. Winning the WC without ever shooting would’ve been one of the most crazy improbable endings in sports history.
And it came damn close to actually happening.
I wonder how big a party this is for those countries to win this. Like if America won I would be like that's cool go USA but I wouldn't really care at the same time. These countries seem to be serious about it.
Like if a middle East country won I feel like everybody would be out in the street shooting AK 47s and stuff
Like if a middle East country won I feel like everybody would be out in the street shooting AK 47s and stuff
Spain to only concede 1 goal the whole world cup is amazing and they deserved to win..... I just wanted to see the GOAT win his 2nd world CUP in a row and go out on top! Messi is just built different he really is!
Agreed. What made the WC so great was the fact that teams were always attacking the goal. The low scoring was due to the excellent defense. I enjoyed every game that I watched. Except for the first half of England/France I was on the edge of my seat.
As someone who has lived in a South American country, let me say the rest of the world does indeed take it a lot more serious than the USA.
One time the country I lived in won a game to qualify and get to go to the WC and there was no working or school for 2 days.
I always try to compare it to Lexington/a lot of KY if UK wins a natty, but imagine the entire country celebrating like Lexington.
One time the country I lived in won a game to qualify and get to go to the WC and there was no working or school for 2 days.
I always try to compare it to Lexington/a lot of KY if UK wins a natty, but imagine the entire country celebrating like Lexington.
Maybe it's been posted here, but just reading today that Pulisic fractured a leg bone vs. Belgium.
www.bbc.com
World Cup 2026: US confirm Christian Pulisic leg fracture in defeat to Belgium
The United States confirm that forward Christian Pulisic fractured his leg during his side's 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the World Cup last 16.
www.bbc.com
Pulisic sucks and shouldn’t be on 2030 teamMaybe it's been posted here, but just reading today that Pulisic fractured a leg bone vs. Belgium.
World Cup 2026: US confirm Christian Pulisic leg fracture in defeat to Belgium
The United States confirm that forward Christian Pulisic fractured his leg during his side's 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the World Cup last 16.