Personally, I suspect the Dutch could end up going far by going under the radar. One of Netherlands or Argentina is guaranteed semi final at least. Neither have been very good so far and both had a relatively easy group (particularly Netherlands - being the number 2 seed in Qatar’s group was a virtual bye), a kind round of 16 draw and, weirdly, not a bad quarter final draw, because neither of them are all that. But they both have the World Cup pedigree, so either of them could turn it up a notch in the later stages.
There were a lot of comments about ‘lucky draw’ when England progressed in the last two tournaments. I’d be interested to see if those same comments come up if the Dutch or the Argentinians end up winning it.
Messi's stats for Argentina aren't as good as you'd imagine. 94 goals, but only 50 of them were in competitive matches.
50 in 118 competitive matches compares pretty poorly with CR7's 98 in 142.
9 goals in World Cups is a low return too, considering the number of games he's played (22).
True but Ronaldo plays in Euro qualifiers which are undeniably easier than South American ones. He gets to bang in goals against the likes of Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands. He only has 7 goals at world cups.
If Messi played for a European nation (say Spain for example) he'd probably have far more competitive goals.
Messi's stats for Argentina aren't as good as you'd imagine. 94 goals, but only 50 of them were in competitive matches.
50 in 118 competitive matches compares pretty poorly with CR7's 98 in 142.
9 goals in World Cups is a low return too, considering the number of games he's played (22).
True but Ronaldo plays in Euro qualifiers which are undeniably easier than South American ones. He gets to bang in goals against the likes of Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands. He only has 7 goals at world cups.
If Messi played for a European nation (say Spain for example) he'd probably have far more competitive goals.
It is strange though that Messi has yet to have a really good WC, to match his club form. And Argentina are a better country than Portugal too, with 2 WC wins. Other than 2006, Portugal have failed to get past the R16 during C Ronaldo's time, whereas Argentina have reached the final in 2014
Messi's stats for Argentina aren't as good as you'd imagine. 94 goals, but only 50 of them were in competitive matches.
50 in 118 competitive matches compares pretty poorly with CR7's 98 in 142.
9 goals in World Cups is a low return too, considering the number of games he's played (22).
True but Ronaldo plays in Euro qualifiers which are undeniably easier than South American ones. He gets to bang in goals against the likes of Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands. He only has 7 goals at world cups.
If Messi played for a European nation (say Spain for example) he'd probably have far more competitive goals.
It is strange though that Messi has yet to have a really good WC, to match his club form. And Argentina are a better country than Portugal too, with 2 WC wins. Other than 2006, Portugal have failed to get past the R16 during C Ronaldo's time, whereas Argentina have reached the final in 2014
Messi's stats for Argentina aren't as good as you'd imagine. 94 goals, but only 50 of them were in competitive matches.
50 in 118 competitive matches compares pretty poorly with CR7's 98 in 142.
9 goals in World Cups is a low return too, considering the number of games he's played (22).
True but Ronaldo plays in Euro qualifiers which are undeniably easier than South American ones. He gets to bang in goals against the likes of Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Faroe Islands. He only has 7 goals at world cups.
If Messi played for a European nation (say Spain for example) he'd probably have far more competitive goals.
It is strange though that Messi has yet to have a really good WC, to match his club form. And Argentina are a better country than Portugal too, with 2 WC wins. Other than 2006, Portugal have failed to get past the R16 during C Ronaldo's time, whereas Argentina have reached the final in 2014
He was voted player of the tournament in 2014.
He's also carrying them through this one.
And everyone at the time thought it was well off, and given to him because of who he was.
Several of the German teams played better, Mascherano played better.
Comments
But they both have the World Cup pedigree, so either of them could turn it up a notch in the later stages.
Shame he couldn't quite finish it off.
If Messi played for a European nation (say Spain for example) he'd probably have far more competitive goals.
Please let’s not refer to Ronaldo by his trademark name. It’s proper cringe.
Messi keeping Argentina going...
Their fans are probably the best i've seen in this tournament and the game v Holland should be great to watch.
You just can’t beat the World Cup
'El que no salta es un ingles'
'He who isn't jumping is English.'
He's also carrying them through this one.
Several of the German teams played better, Mascherano played better.