Modern football is obsessed with passing midfielders and wide attackers, but this tournament has shown the weaknesses of teams without a decent Number 9. Imagine this Dutch side with a Van Basten, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy or Van Persie up front
I'm clearly in a minority here but gutted to see a team that gets into a WC semifinal by grinding teams down and hope for a penalty shootout.
Before the game I wanted Brazil to win, Brazil v Argentina/Netherlands being more interesting etc, then yep, found Croatia boring and was pleased at Neymar scoring a very good goal.
And yet I still celebrated Croatia equalising, and found myself wanting them to win on penalties, because it was very funny.
Modern football is obsessed with passing midfielders and wide attackers, but this tournament has shown the weaknesses of teams without a decent Number 9. Imagine this Dutch side with a Van Basten, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy or Van Persie up front
World cups often usher in a new cycle of tactical fashion. I think we're going to see possession become less of a focus for teams and centre forwards come back into favour. Players like Haaland, and Benzema were probably already helping start that trend at club level.
I'm clearly in a minority here but gutted to see a team that gets into a WC semifinal by grinding teams down and hope for a penalty shootout.
Oh I think most would rather see Brazil through compared to Croatia.
Doesnt stop their defeat being funny though
You may be right: not many seem happy that Croatia is in the semis - mostly that Neymar's ego has been deflated.
But I can't see how anyone could be inspired to love football by watching that win.
What about a 10 year old child, from a county of less than 4 million people just beat the most famous national team in history with a population of about 210 million people?
Yeah, 'anyone' was a bit strong on my part, but the 210 million in Brazil would think that watchable football doesn't pay, which would be a shame.
I think "negative" football is perfectly valid if its your best chance of winning. No point being positive and "nice to watch" if you don't win.
I often wonder about this: would I rather watch amazing football and lose, or a lucky win from a really dull team full of journeymen and 'seasoned pros'.
I would hope the amazing football would win in the long run, so I'd go for the former.
I think style is more important in league football, especially if you have the resource to be picky.
In tournament football, especially at international level where you can't change the players winning is everything. If you can't win, don't lose and cross your fingers.
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Shades of Agincourt and Waterloo
And yet I still celebrated Croatia equalising, and found myself wanting them to win on penalties, because it was very funny.
Although Messi is a bit crap at pens.
In tournament football, especially at international level where you can't change the players winning is everything. If you can't win, don't lose and cross your fingers.
There is no tomorrow for most of them.
That said, I thought it was a pen.
Peep peep.
Peep peep.
.
.
.
Peep peep.
Go in and break them up you bellend!
Been hoping to see Messi do well (outside of England's chances of course) but this is reminding me of why we dislike Argentina in general...
Not that the Dutch have done enough to deserve to go through.
Of course if Messi had stuck it down the middle, the keeper would have been the hero!