soccer soccer soccer

[bukie]

Argentina had zero losses during the entire World Cup qualification cycle, then loses to a weak AFC team in their first WC fiinals game.

[soccer10k]

Argentina had zero losses during the entire World Cup qualification cycle, then loses to a weak AFC team in their first WC fiinals game.

 

They were also two games away from breaking the record for longest unbeaten run by a mens national team.

[UMFan83]

Watching the highlights and Argentina had 3 goals in the first half overturned by offsides, 2 of them overturned by VAR. All with a 1-0 lead and looking to put the dagger into the Saudis. Instead they score 2 goals and win.

 

Also Saudi Arabia's keeper made several ridiculous saves to keep them ahead, including one in the 101st minute after 8 minutes of stoppage time.

 

Recommend watching the highlights if you haven't

 

[UMFan83]

VAR gives Poland a penalty and Lewandowski is stopped wow. Not going to do much to help his reputation

[stitchface]

As a very casual pro soccer observer... that whistle to stop play when James went down after losing the 50/50 ball... is that completely ref discretion? I know that was a hard challenge, but that looked very obviously like he took a seat to avoid the counter attack. Was it just a poor decision by the ref?

 

The only time the ref is required to stop play for an injury is if there's a suspected head injury, and most refs will wait for teams to put the ball out of play or at least wait for the current phase of play to finish. This ref had more of a 'spite all teams and make everyone angry at me all the time, this is equality' approach.

 

the reffing was poor. teams used to play the ball out anytime someone went down until they got sick of players faking injuries to stop play and now everyone just plays on - it's much better. No idea why this ref thought he needed to stop play.

[stitchface]

Argentina had zero losses during the entire World Cup qualification cycle, then loses to a weak AFC team in their first WC fiinals game.

 

They were also two games away from breaking the record for longest unbeaten run by a mens national team.

 

 

They still have a good chance to win the group really. I was going to watch this recorded but my cousin texted me the result at 6 AM . . . Poland and Mexico looked pretty hapless.

[soccer10k]

Argentina had zero losses during the entire World Cup qualification cycle, then loses to a weak AFC team in their first WC fiinals game.

 

They were also two games away from breaking the record for longest unbeaten run by a mens national team.

 

 

They still have a good chance to win the group really. I was going to watch this recorded but my cousin texted me the result at 6 AM . . . Poland and Mexico looked pretty hapless.

 

Just have to win the next two games and hope Saudi Arabia doesn’t win a game, and if they’re even on points Argentina could still win the group over the Saudis.

[SpongeWorthy]

[UMFan83]

Argentina had zero losses during the entire World Cup qualification cycle, then loses to a weak AFC team in their first WC fiinals game.

 

They were also two games away from breaking the record for longest unbeaten run by a mens national team.

 

 

They still have a good chance to win the group really. I was going to watch this recorded but my cousin texted me the result at 6 AM . . . Poland and Mexico looked pretty hapless.

 

I actually think Mexico looked solid. Poland looked pretty hapless. Had a golden opportunity to get 3 points in a group that was upended by a massive upset and blew it.

[wolf stansson]

 

 

Dude that’s cool as hell

[cl smooth]

[stitchface]

https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4809539/why-have-the-matches-at-the-2022-world-cup-been-so-long

 

In theory, it makes sense but really, you introduce this at the World Cup? It's time for some frickin' transparency - just run a clock and stop it when it's supposed to be stopped. It's not that hard. It's ludicrous at the end of tight games when no one has a clue how much time is left! Then add to it this idea that a half can't end when a team is attacking . . . and what does that even mean?

[soccer10k]

Japan takes the lead in the 83rd minute over Germany.

[cl smooth]

*street fighter ii voice* JAPAN!!!!!

[wolf stansson]

This has been a fun World Cup on pitch. Literally everything else sucks about it, but the games…they are good.

[squally1313]

https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4809539/why-have-the-matches-at-the-2022-world-cup-been-so-long

 

In theory, it makes sense but really, you introduce this at the World Cup? It's time for some frickin' transparency - just run a clock and stop it when it's supposed to be stopped. It's not that hard. It's ludicrous at the end of tight games when no one has a clue how much time is left! Then add to it this idea that a half can't end when a team is attacking . . . and what does that even mean?

 

I think I'm more in the middle, where you let the ref come up with an extra time number, and then do more of a hard/'American' clock from there.

[wolf stansson]

 

 

My favorite tradition is back! And this time they got a real cutie making picks.

[bukie]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[UMFan83]

Germany is so incredibly fucked. Japan gets to play this seemingly DOA Costa Rica team next while Germany play Spain. If Japan wins they need to beat Spain. A draw puts them in a situation where they would have to make up a -8 GD against Costa Rica and hope Spain loses. Even if they beat Spain, they’ll need to beat CR and hope Spain doesn’t beat Japan. They’re in a really bad spot.

 

Edit: yes pretty much what bukie posted but I arrived at it independently

 

[soccer10k]

Even if they beat Spain, they’ll need to beat CR and hope Spain doesn’t beat Japan. They’re in a really bad spot.

 

If Germany beats Spain they should be fine. They’ll beat CR so they’ll be on 6 points. If Japan beats or ties Spain, Germany is through. If Spain beats Japan, Spain will be through on GD. Then it comes down to GD between Germany and Japan. I like the odds of Germany going through in that scenario. They’re more likely to demolish CR than Japan is. Plus in this scenario Japan has to play a Spain team that needs to win to move on so Spain isn’t going to mess around.

 

Of course Germany was in the same situation 4 years ago where, as the final group games played out, if they just won they’d move on and they lost to South Korea.

[wolf stansson]

I KNEW fonzie would brick that PK. David should take their pens.

[Rex Buckingham]

Canada looking dangerous early, but I feel like they've got to put something away before Belgium settle in.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I KNEW fonzie would brick that PK. David should take their pens.

 

Maybe this is just a weird thing I do as a goalkeeper, but some guys really give you a vibe on the direction they'll go. Davies was never gonna try to pull that, and then his placement wasn't good.

 

They'd rather have the goal I'm sure, but also Canada is kinda dominating Belgium? Only 15 minutes in but this isn't bunker/counter soccer, Belgium cannot get on the ball.

[wolf stansson]

Looots of real estate available in that Canadian midfield. I think if Belgium weathers the early adrenaline storm, their possession will unlock that space and turn the game downhill in their direction.

 

 

Missing that pen could really hurt Canada.

[squally1313]

Canada looking dangerous early, but I feel like they've got to put something away before Belgium settle in.

Almost seems like they're feeling themselves a little too much. Can't give KDB too many of these counters.