World Cup 2022 - Quarter-Finals

that's just how the bracket turned out, don't complain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5NDBP4bYO0

they don't cover the Aussie game here, but it will be interesting to see whether Scaloni makes changes again for the Netherlands game because he has at least made one change every game so far. Also good to see that he has multiple ideas, options and can think on the spot to make adjustments that reap benefits. And he still has a joker card in Dybala on the bench which he hasn't used yet. Sign of a good coach.

difference between 2014 and now is that Argentina had no identity outside of give the ball to Messi and hope for the best, as well as not having a good coach

farfan wrote:

neuro11 wrote:Had been reading somewhere how LVG stopped Messi back in 2014. They think he is more than capable of repeating that. In 2014 Messi was almost invisible after the 2nd round. I don't think LVG had to come up with a master plan to stop him. Things might be different this time as it stands

Watch out this is a controversial take around these parts. Some think he "led" Argentina to the final with those performances

well he had to considering the whole team had no identity and was solely revolved around him... just because he didn't score doesn't mean he was "invisible"

Seems to me that CR is criticized for his attitude or performance level, regardless of whether or not he actually plays, so I'm not sure why you think that he gets a free pass from people.

I suppose you're right that Modric hasn't typically been held accountable when he's not been a standout performer for Croatia, but they had more top performers during the last international tournament who shared the burden of criticism with him. The current, Croatia team seems to consist of players who are on the wrong side of their prime, as well as players that I've never heard of. It doesn't seem reasonable to expect 37 year old, Modric to miraculously pull that team anywhere.

Although Poland have some good players, I don't think anyone expected them to get far in this tournament, with or without Lewa.

So yes, Argentina with their Higuains or whatever elements of burden people like to apply to them, are considered among the favorites to win the competition, and Messi naturally becomes the spearhead of that ambition since he's their most high-profile player.

neuro11 wrote:Well, for me he was invisible by his standard. I had been expecting him to be in god mode in Semi and Final in particular. This is the chance of your life and you gotta lit up yourself on such occasions as Maradona did. As a die-hard Messi and Argentina fan, I had huge expectations from him and I blamed very little on Higuain or others for the loss. I thought he should have single-handedly made the difference as legends do, rise on the occasion. I can remember how he broke the deadlock vs Iran and then performed vs Nigeria, vs Mexico this time. Deep in my heart, I blame him for not winning it back then.

fair enough, but i wouldn't go so far as to hold it against him. These things happen, no player can ever be perfect.

England are not beating France, please. Also i am rooting for Morocco, but i think Portugal flipped another switch in their last game. So yea... Croatia will have to put in the best defensive game of the tournament if they want to beat Brazil.

Netherlands i think have the best chance with how they are set up to beat Argentina. Think Scaloni might have to bring Lisandro Martinez back in to help contain the pace of the Dutch counter attack.

M99 wrote:Its gonna be 2014 all over again, Argentina wins very narrowly.

Brazil lost to the first European team they faced in the knockouts for the last four World Cups. Do they break the pattern now?

Brazil are much better today than they were last WC. I am looking at the team that played against Belgium that time. My word, they were full of average players, left right and center. Only Casemiro being available will make a huuuge difference. They have complete opposite fbs to what they had then. Much more defensive this time around