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FIFA World Cup - Qatar 2022
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Assuming they pick him.Chris_from_Sidcup said:Messi will set another record on Sunday. Most appearances ever by a player at the world cup.
It'll be his 26th game, breaking the record long held by Lothar Matthaus.17 -
Messi is having his best every year for Argentina. Two factors are definitely helping the wee man: PSG, where he has his game time managed and the WC being in November/December where he is looking as fresh as a daisy.
There was a reason I said Argentina would finish top of their group with 6 points before they got back to their Dressing room after the defeat to Saudi Arabia. Didn't go as far as Oohaah and say they would win the WC as I felt France could emulate Brazil in 58 & 62 if they could get pass a strong England team in Q-Final. (😢☹️ 🤦🏻♂️)
I Feel Morocco who have put Africa on the World map of football at last will find their reserve defenders struggle tonight. I went ape when they beat Portugal and Spain.
IF it's the two favourites from the S-final
Argentina v France will be a 50/50 match between two of the elite teams from World cup history.3 -
After they came back from the Saudi defeat to qualify from the group, it came as no surprise to me that Argentina have made it all the way, as they were starting the play reasonably well AND were battle hardened, having effectively been in knockout match territory already.soapboxsam said:Messi is having his best every year for Argentina. Two factors are definitely helping the wee man: PSG, where he has his game time managed and the WC being in November/December where he is looking as fresh as a daisy.
There was a reason I said Argentina would finish top of their group with 6 points before they got back to their Dressing room after the defeat to Saudi Arabia. Didn't go as far as Oohaah and say they would win the WC as I felt France could emulate Brazil in 58 & 62 if they could get pass a strong England team in Q-Final. (😢☹️ 🤦🏻♂️)
I Feel Morocco who have put Africa on the World map of football at last will find their reserve defenders struggle tonight. I went ape when they beat Portugal and Spain.
IF it's the two favourites from the S-final
Argentina v France will be a 50/50 match between two of the elite teams from World cup history.
It's similar to the recent T20 Cricket WC where both England and Pakistan started the tournament badly, both teams quickly got into the situation where they had to win every game to progress.
Combine that with a fresh Messi and a manager prepared to build a team around him, with others doing Messi's running, and it's a good mix. The massive support in the stadiums helps too!1 -
like or loath, Messi was absolutely brilliant last night2
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Chris_from_Sidcup said:Messi will set another record on Sunday. Most appearances ever by a player at the world cup.
It'll be his 26th game, breaking the record long held by Lothar Matthaus.
Surprised Ronaldo doesn't hold that title.
The difference probably depends on getting knocked out early or late0 -
Sensational, can't help but enjoy watching him play. Absolute chalk and cheese from Jack PayneLincsaddick said:like or loath, Messi was absolutely brilliant last night2 -
Really, really want Messi to do it on Sunday. It would just be a brilliant fairytale ending to his career.
France winning it would just feel bit of a non-event considering they’re the current holders.
Messi winning it puts the tournament on that iconic level with the likes of 1970 and 1986.
In a time where most tournaments look and feel quite samey, this would give it a real distinction.8 -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_who_have_appeared_in_multiple_FIFA_World_Cups#:~:text=Lothar Matthäus is the player,field in five different tournaments.
An awful lot of Germans on this list, highlighting their consistent success until recently. Peter Shilton is the highest English player with 17 WC appearances.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup0 -
Should we really be surprised that Argentina made the WC Final? Much as been made of the Saudi defeat but they fell asleep for five minutes and paid for it by conceding two goals. Interestingly, they had the same spell of a lack of concentration late on against the Netherlands when they let in two in seven minutes. The only other goal they've conceded in the tournament was an own goal from a deflected shot that wasn't heading anywhere near the goal.
The Saudi loss is their only defeat in the last 42 games and that run dates back over three years to 6th July 2019. In that time they've played the World ranked number one, Brazil, three times and beaten them twice and drawn the other one and didn't concede a single goal in those matches. By comparison, France (assuming they make the Final) have lost four of their last 11, kept just one clean sheet in that time and conceded in every one of this WC. Ignoring any bias they were extremely lucky to beat us too.
Messi has carried them to the Final but a one man team doesn't lose just one game from 42 and if they can keep their concentration at the back I think they will win. With or without Messi making the difference.
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Had the privilege to see Messi play against Italy at Wembley.Addick Addict said:Should we really be surprised that Argentina made the WC Final? Much as been made of the Saudi defeat but they fell asleep for five minutes and paid for it by conceding two goals. Interestingly, they had the same spell of a lack of concentration late on against the Netherlands when they let in two in seven minutes. The only other goal they've conceded in the tournament was an own goal from a deflected shot that wasn't heading anywhere near the goal.
The Saudi loss is their only defeat in the last 42 games and that run dates back over three years to 6th July 2019. In that time they've played the World ranked number one, Brazil, three times and beaten them twice and drawn the other one and didn't concede a single goal in those matches. By comparison, France (assuming they make the Final) have lost four of their last 11, kept just one clean sheet in that time and conceded in every one of this WC. Ignoring any bias they were extremely lucky to beat us too.
Messi has carried them to the Final but a one man team doesn't lose just one game from 42 and if they can keep their concentration at the back I think they will win. With or without Messi making the difference.
Loved the Barca team when he was at his prime with the likes of xavi and iniesta. Used to sit in the rising sun lewisham on a Sunday afternoon watching Spanish football.
Watched him break into that fabulous Barca side with rohnadniho alongside him. I used to get excited when he got the ball. What's he gonna do with it? Guess it would of been the same for those who saw maradona or Pele in their prime.
He Never really did it for his national side unlike the other two. They had better players around them until now. this Argentina side is not the best but it's better than it has been for a while. Lots of talented youngsters coming through. They do lose concentration which is a worry for them.
I would be pleased if the best player in a generation and one of the best in football history gets to lift the pinnacle of this sport, the world cup.
I might even start doing that limp arm wave version of an Ali g click that there fans do.5 - Sponsored links:
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Went to the same game as Karim went to at Wembley, the energy of the amazing Argie support and the crispness of their play , where they tore Italy a new one , was a sight to behold . I knew then they'd be World Champions , although in all honesty I don't think they've reached the level they got to at Wembley in this tournament ...
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I don't really like Argentina, but because of Messi i would be fairly happy with them to win it! Sounds odd but i do think he deserves it, all this argument about how great he is. It would shut up those saying he hadn't won the big one, football is a team game so ultimately you are only as good as your team mates.
I don't really get involved with Messi v Ronaldo debate, although in my eyes its clear, but appreciate they are both the players of our time and it would be sad when any of them / both retire. A bit like Ronnie in snooker, when he retires the game will be worse off.
Although i say that, i would equally be happy for Morocco, anyone but France yeah?!2 -
Exactly, this will be Messi's 2nd final so that's 14 games from just 2 of the 5 world cups he's played at.Dave2l said:Chris_from_Sidcup said:Messi will set another record on Sunday. Most appearances ever by a player at the world cup.
It'll be his 26th game, breaking the record long held by Lothar Matthaus.
Surprised Ronaldo doesn't hold that title.
The difference probably depends on getting knocked out early or late
Ronaldo's record in the knockout rounds with Portugal is awful. He never scored a goal and in 3 of the 5 world cups he played at they didn't get beyond the last 16.1 -
I wonder if emotionally playing for PSG is different too, as he cares less about them than Barca.soapboxsam said:Messi is having his best every year for Argentina. Two factors are definitely helping the wee man: PSG, where he has his game time managed and the WC being in November/December where he is looking as fresh as a daisy.
Before that he was a Barca player, they were his priority. PSG by contrast is just a job, and the national side is his priority?1 -
Morocco are the first semi final debutant since Spain in 2010. We all know who won it that year…1
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Love a morocco win, but I think Argentina Vs France would be better for sunday2
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That didn’t take long0
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In my dreams, Hernandez will rip off his mask to reveal that it was England and Luke Shaw who just scored2
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That didn't take long - Shocking defending from the man on the line0
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Bollocks0
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Same here. I must one of the very few on here who actually like France and the French. Visit there often and always have a great time.AdTheAddicK said:Love a morocco win, but I think Argentina Vs France would be better for sunday0 -
Another bent ref then1
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Has to be a more open game after the early goal...1
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Morocco nervous at the back0
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Morocco running out of players. Lost one key CB before the start, now another key player has had to be replaced0
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The whistling is somewhat annoying.
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Gotta admit I've not seen much of Theo Hernandez but from what I have he seems very suspect defensively.0
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Very lucky not to give away a penalty just thenLaddick01 said:Gotta admit I've not seen much of Theo Hernandez but from what I have he seems very suspect defensively.0 -
What the *hell* was that yellow for Boufal?2
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You ARE getting Argentina vs France in the Final if you like it or notLeuth said:What the *hell* was that yellow for Boufal?1
