FIFA World Cup 2026

I only really follow soccer/football when the World Cup is on.

Don't support a Premier League club or either Auckland FC or the Wellington Phoenix but there's no doubt Messi is better than Ronaldo. I personally Messi is quite a bit better as well same view to a lot of posters on here.
 
Spain just need to stop shooting straight at the keeper. I’d say 9 of the 10 saves Martinez has made, have been straight at him.

Spain happy to keep possession. Argentina happy for them to have it.

Highlight so far has been seeing Shakira.

Now we get to delve into the dark arts of the game.

nice to see Lamal* debut, in a World Cup final no less.


*commentator calling Lamine Yamal - “Lamal” all game.
 
Seano said:
Not a challenge you'd think you'd make on a yellow with extra time about to come up.
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Spanish guy needs to be investigated for how much air he got. Impressive.

It’s absolutely a dangerous tackle. If his foot is planted, probably breaks his leg. Often misunderstood that getting a foot off the ground, can save you from pretty serious injury.
 
bremsstrahlung said:
Spain saved football.

Winning a World Cup with 0 shots in 100 minutes would have been a horrible endorsement for the games biggest occasion.

Argentina aren’t a bad team when they try and play, they just have horrible tactics and rubbish attitude. Sore losers.

Spain tried to win that, and in the end deserved it I think. Good on them.
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Horrible tactics? They both couldn't score all game. Seemed both had each other's game in check until that ripper goal from Spain.
 
danknights said:
Horrible tactics? They both couldn't score all game. Seemed both had each other's game in check until that ripper goal from Spain.
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20 shots to 0 when the goal was scored.

The only reason they had a chance was luck, poor finishing and Martinez in goal (made like 10 saves).

Argentina looked to have no interest in winning that game in normal or extra time - they looked to be playing for Penalties from the start.
Game was in the balance, 20 minutes away from penalties, and they pulled off their main striker and replaced him with a defender, with their 2nd leading goal scorer (behind Messi) an unused sub on the bench. Messi anonymous for 107 minutes. Their first shot coming minutes later.

Yes, they’ve made a bit of a habit of scoring late in games - usually driven from the fact they have been behind, and needing to attack. And when they do attack - it’s pretty good!

I assumed they were trying to kill the game for 75-80 minutes, and then they’d go on the attack and do what’s worked for them so far this tournament - great, there’s a plan to go for a win. But nope, minimal counter. No attacking intent.

The biggest issue for me is that they are actually a pretty dangerous team when they attack. When they have needed goals this tournament, they usually get them. They can blow teams away.
I could see the argument if they were defensively solid, or planned to attack late in the game, or counter attack at least. But again, they were only in the game due to some decent saves, average refereeing decision (disallowed goal) and poor finishing.

Anyway, each to their own. Personally, I thought they got their tactics wrong and went in with a very negative gameplan and were playing for penalties from the outset.
 
I reckon they got spooked by the France/Spain semi final. France probably the only team to play Spain straight up and even though they took more shots on goal, I don't think France could generate even a single properly good chance, and were maybe a little fortunate to not lose 4-0 rather than 2-0. I'd imagine the Argies knew they're not better than France so it'd be startling to see the difference in level between France & Spain.

But yeah the mixture of refusing to commit men forward for an attack to try to generate a good chance on goal *and* not being willing to take a crack at goal when within shooting range didn't make a lot of sense to me but maybe someone who understands the analytics more can explain the analytics, eg maybe they don't want to give away a goal kick when their defence wasn't set? But either way I don't see how you can both refuse to shoot unless it's a great opportunity *and* refuse to play with the intent necessary to generate a good opportunity.
 
Saw a fairly reasonable-argued YouTube comment that suggested the English coach got the tactics right in the Argentina match. The reason is that before the substitutions and the switch to a back 5, Argentina were well on top and creating several chances. Despite Pickford saving the English, it seemed like a matter of time before Argentina scored.

However, the English players didn't do their bit: a badly missed tackle on Messi and then a 5'9'' Argentine given a free header in the box...just a really poor 15 minutes from some of the English players.

Again, no one was beating Spain, who are so well deserved as champions. Spain now hold the men's and women's World Cups.

PS. Watched the first series of Ted Lasso with the fam last night, what a hoot, highly recommend. Although they never quite get football looking realistic in these shows, you really have to work your suspension of disbelief, but otherwise A+.
 
Seano said:
PS. Watched the first series of Ted Lasso with the fam last night, what a hoot, highly recommend. Although they never quite get football looking realistic in these shows, you really have to work your suspension of disbelief, but otherwise A+.
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Brilliant show. Feel good, emotional, funny, bit of sport. So well done.

New season coming soon. I’m sure you’ve read some stuff but it was a show with a 3 season plan.
I guess it was so popular they needed to renew it, print some more $$$, I’m curious what they do with this season. If there’s much continuity. Or if it’s a separate entity in its own right.
Think they need some continuity to develop some relationships, but I also don’t want too much that it feels like a really ****ty season 4.
I just don’t want them to ruin it.

Stick is also similar vibes, but with Owen Wilson.

And, not meaning to turn this into the TV show thread, having similar vibes again (maybe without the sport aspect) with Rooster with Steve Carrel, (but has the guy that plays jaimie tart do do do do do do do do.
 
Yeah Ted Lasso is quality. I work with a lot of Americans and when one of them said I should watch it my football (not soccer) snobbery took over and refused for a couple of years. Glad I finally changed my mind and gave it a go. As another of my American colleagues said “you feel like a better person just by watching it”

I enjoyed Rooster too. Not seen Stick yet, not sure what platform it is on in the UK. Will check it out.
 
bremsstrahlung said:
20 shots to 0 when the goal was scored.

The only reason they had a chance was luck, poor finishing and Martinez in goal (made like 10 saves).

Argentina looked to have no interest in winning that game in normal or extra time - they looked to be playing for Penalties from the start.
Game was in the balance, 20 minutes away from penalties, and they pulled off their main striker and replaced him with a defender, with their 2nd leading goal scorer (behind Messi) an unused sub on the bench. Messi anonymous for 107 minutes. Their first shot coming minutes later.

Yes, they’ve made a bit of a habit of scoring late in games - usually driven from the fact they have been behind, and needing to attack. And when they do attack - it’s pretty good!

I assumed they were trying to kill the game for 75-80 minutes, and then they’d go on the attack and do what’s worked for them so far this tournament - great, there’s a plan to go for a win. But nope, minimal counter. No attacking intent.

The biggest issue for me is that they are actually a pretty dangerous team when they attack. When they have needed goals this tournament, they usually get them. They can blow teams away.
I could see the argument if they were defensively solid, or planned to attack late in the game, or counter attack at least. But again, they were only in the game due to some decent saves, average refereeing decision (disallowed goal) and poor finishing.

Anyway, each to their own. Personally, I thought they got their tactics wrong and went in with a very negative gameplan and were playing for penalties from the outset.
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Your probably right. Soccer isn't my thing. Bit shin kickery for my liking. Although I did only watch the second half coz the bloke at work had it on the tv. Messi couldn't get into the game, they had him bailed up every time he had the ball. Spain deserved to win.
 
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