World Cup - Qatar - Knockout rounds to the Final

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:22 pm

The Guardian’s top 100 for 2021 had Messi #2, after Lewandowski. Lewandowski is a maybe, like Mbappe and Haaland. There are not a lot of guys after that who are even maybes. I mention this because he is adamant that this is his last World Cup, and he appears to be a few months away from leaving European club soccer…and is possibly still the best player in the world?

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:42 pm

Rex wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 6:44 pm Was doing a little thought experiment earlier: how many players are better than Messi right now? Forget the history, I'm talking about Messi in his current form at age 35. Regardless of position.

Are we talking about Messi over an entire game, or just during the flashes where he decides to move? If it's the former, I put Mbappe and Haaland over him for sure, if just those moments, probably nobody.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 12:05 am

Rex wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 6:44 pm Was doing a little thought experiment earlier: how many players are better than Messi right now? Forget the history, I'm talking about Messi in his current form at age 35. Regardless of position.

He'll never be in the consideration for "best player in the world"...but Griezmann has been having a fantastic tournament for the French.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:42 am

The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:42 pm
Rex wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 6:44 pm Was doing a little thought experiment earlier: how many players are better than Messi right now? Forget the history, I'm talking about Messi in his current form at age 35. Regardless of position.
Are we talking about Messi over an entire game, or just during the flashes where he decides to move? If it's the former, I put Mbappe and Haaland over him for sure, if just those moments, probably nobody.

Well that's the age old question--would you rather have somebody you know is going to be busting his butt for 90, or someone who might not do that but is more likely to do high level stuff?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:50 am

I was pulling for Croatia, I guess, but I think if Americans knew Argentina stole the Washington Monument the whole country would rally behind.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:51 am

Rex wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:42 am
The Sybian wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:42 pm
Rex wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 6:44 pm Was doing a little thought experiment earlier: how many players are better than Messi right now? Forget the history, I'm talking about Messi in his current form at age 35. Regardless of position.
Are we talking about Messi over an entire game, or just during the flashes where he decides to move? If it's the former, I put Mbappe and Haaland over him for sure, if just those moments, probably nobody.
Well that's the age old question--would you rather have somebody you know is going to be busting his butt for 90, or someone who might not do that but is more likely to do high level stuff?

It's pretty well documented that Messi (like Zidane before him) spends long stretches early in the game walking around to get a feel for exactly where the holes are in the game. I'm still more than happy picking him first right now in the best current players in the world draft.

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:52 am

A_B wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:50 am I was pulling for Croatia, I guess, but I think if Americans knew Argentina stole the Washington Monument the whole country would rally behind.

That was an awesome Nic Cage flick.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:59 am

"Awesome" is redundant in that sentence, Giff.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 10:00 am

Rex wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 9:42 amWell that's the age old question--would you rather have somebody you know is going to be busting his butt for 90, or someone who might not do that but is more likely to do high level stuff?

Do you want Messi or Josh Sargent?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 2:06 pm

That is the type of thing Morocco has avoided all the games I've seen. Not the chance, because they've allowed that scenario a few times, but the fact that they couldn't figure out a way to get it cleared.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 2:14 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 2:06 pm That is the type of thing Morocco has avoided all the games I've seen. Not the chance, because they've allowed that scenario a few times, but the fact that they couldn't figure out a way to get it cleared.

Was a pretty remarkable finish...usually that is going WAY over the bar...

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 2:45 pm

HOLY SHIT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT EASILY.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:11 pm

That almost looks like Mbappe stubbed his toe/foot more than the tackle did anything.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:20 pm

Giff wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 2:45 pm HOLY SHIT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT EASILY.

That was something.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:37 pm

Those fez hats will always be dope

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:39 pm

Rex wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:37 pm Those fez hats will always be dope

That reminds me that one of my kids had a country research assignment and it was Morocco. My wife made a nice paper fez for them to wear in that day as the "craft" portion. Um, i mean my kids made it. YEah. Don't call the elementary school.

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:56 pm

This final is going to be epic. No exaggeration.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 4:05 pm

I feel like its going to get MESSY where anything remotely pro-Argentina will be labeled a fix.

Square Rob · Post by **Square Rob** » Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:52 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Wed Dec 14, 2022 12:05 am
Rex wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 6:44 pm Was doing a little thought experiment earlier: how many players are better than Messi right now? Forget the history, I'm talking about Messi in his current form at age 35. Regardless of position.
He'll never be in the consideration for "best player in the world"...but Griezmann has been having a fantastic tournament for the French.

Dave, you are spot on here. Griezmann’s transformation into a legitimately great box to box midfielder has been remarkable. He was always a high energy guy who worked hard, but he is the last line of defense a ridiculous amount of times now. Such a fantastic player with a great football brain. He makes the key offensive and defensive play, sometimes within seconds of each other. For me the top non-goal-scoring performance of the tournament.

Pruitt IV · Post by **Pruitt IV** » Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:30 am

Brussels Court Orders Three Tied to Qatar Bribery Case to Remain in Detention

Belgian officials said they suspected a Gulf country of trying “to influence the economic and political decisions of the European Parliament.”

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:29 am

Lukewarm take: if both teams give a shit, as it appears between CRO and MAR right now, 3rd place games can be the most entertaining of the whole tournament because both teams will play to win and not push it to ET.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:46 am

Did I mention that I hate Alexi Lalas?

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 12:01 pm

Kinda like those. Bought one a year or two ago. Didn't go full head scarf but solid for summer. Oh and the Croatia Morocco ref was horrible. Absolute shit

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 2:09 pm

Wasn’t that the guy who did the USA-Wales game? I remember that our guy was Qatari.

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 2:37 pm

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sat Dec 17, 2022 3:41 pm

yup and that was his only game, until this one. they gave it to him because nobody cares about the 3rd place match.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 9:56 am

what a sprightly fun anthem for Argentina. That rules.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:00 am

Have I mentioned how great the game looks in 4K vs whatever Nintendo shit it is that NBC uses to deliver PL games?

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:01 am

While the French National Anthem has lines line:

To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions
Let’s march, let’s march
That their impure blood
Should water our fields.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:23 am

Geez - Argentina been all over france in the first 20.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:37 am

That breakout was almost too fast for the camera operators/director.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:37 am

Andres Cantor certainly seems to be excited by this turn of events.

Baloney · Post by **Baloney** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:39 am

That was a thing of beauty.

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:39 am

Lloris didn't stand a chance on that one.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:51 am

No shots on goal for france in first half. Just...wow.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:53 am

tennbengal wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:23 am Geez - Argentina been all over france in the first 20.

France’s game is to sit back, absorb pressure and hit on the counter.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:57 am

The Sybian wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:53 am
tennbengal wrote: ↑Sun Dec 18, 2022 10:23 am Geez - Argentina been all over france in the first 20.
France’s game is to sit back, absorb pressure and hit on the counter.

that bit them in the ass in the first 45+. There was no counter . Or even a threaten of one. At any point.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:45 am

Holy shit but dammit I have plans at noon!

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:45 am

What the hell?!!!?

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:45 am

HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCK