# World Cup 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 7, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615 "2018-06-07T18:09:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 50
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/981 "2018-06-30T15:57:10Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > oooooo my! that’s what you get when you switch off. > > France well deserve that though, they’ve just installed themselves as favourites I reckon. Not if they face a better backline. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/982 "2018-06-30T16:00:53Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Messi is a great player. But, frankly lesser than Maradona. And Pele. And unlike Ronaldo (though I’ll be contradicted in two hours) when the going gets really tough, he disappears. > Not the best of all time, sorry. Messi is also regressing like 95% of aging players. CR7 is the spawn of Satan and he just keeps getting better. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/983 "2018-06-30T16:04:47Z")
I’m not sure that really proved anything for France, but it’s all about survival. I do think the next match will be a low scoring draw. It should be pointed out that the Uruguay hasn’t allowed a goal in 540 minutes plus injury time played in 2018. They have a stacked and seasoned back line. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/984 "2018-06-30T16:06:27Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > I’m not sure that really proved anything for France, but it’s all about survival. > > I do think the next match will be a low scoring draw. It should be pointed out that the Uruguay hasn’t allowed a goal in 540 minutes plus injury time played in 2018. They have a stacked and seasoned back line. I agree. Uruguay is seriously underrated. They are a veteran and crafty side. And Suarez. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/985 "2018-06-30T16:17:41Z")
> **[2019 Copa América](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica)** > > The 2019 Copa América was the 46th edition of the Copa América, the international men's association football championship organized by South America's football ruling body CONMEBOL. It was held in Brazil and took place between 14 June and 7 July 2019 at 6 venues across the country. This is the first time since 1991 where no CONCACAF nation took part in the tournament. > Heading into the tournament, Chile were the two-time defending champions, having won the 2015 and 2016 editions of the tourname... Cops America 2019 was supposed to be a sixteen team tourney with 3 CONCACAF and 3 at large sides. Now it will be the traditional 12 with Qatar and Japan invited. WTF? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/986 "2018-06-30T16:36:32Z")
Mascherano retires. Messi likely to. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/987 "2018-06-30T16:49:48Z")
Is it too early to speculate about what might happen if France makes it all the way to Moscow? Will it involve Tchaikovsky? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/988 "2018-06-30T16:59:33Z")
The core of this Argentine side has been to four major finals and lost them all. Wonder if there is any other example in sports of 4 defeats in major finals. Borg lost 4 US Open finals is the closest I can think off. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/989 "2018-06-30T17:07:10Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The core of this Argentine side has been to four major finals and lost them all. Wonder if there is any other example in sports of 4 defeats in major finals. > Borg lost 4 US Open finals is the closest I can think off. Jimmy White lost 6 World Snooker finals, including a run of five in a row. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/990 "2018-06-30T17:18:48Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The core of this Argentine side has been to four major finals and lost them all. Wonder if there is any other example in sports of 4 defeats in major finals. > Borg lost 4 US Open finals is the closest I can think off. What are the 4? Last World Cup and the back-to back Copa America. What else? ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/991 "2018-06-30T17:22:52Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The core of this Argentine side has been to four major finals and lost them all. Wonder if there is any other example in sports of 4 defeats in major finals. This is the only football-related thread on the Dope where this question wouldn’t be immediately answered. 😉 The NFL’s Buffalo Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 90s. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/992 "2018-06-30T17:24:21Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The core of this Argentine side has been to four major finals and lost them all. Wonder if there is any other example in sports of 4 defeats in major finals. > Borg lost 4 US Open finals is the closest I can think off. The Buffalo Bills lost 4 Super Bowls in a row. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/993 "2018-06-30T17:32:58Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > What are the 4? Last World Cup and the back-to back Copa America. What else? 2007 Copa America Final. Jimmy White lost to the best players of all time. Re the Buffalo Bills; damn. Poor bastards. A bit of googling reveals that they got hammered each time except for the first, why did they keep choking? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/994 "2018-06-30T17:35:21Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > This is the only football-related thread on the Dope where this question wouldn’t be immediately answered. 😉 The NFL’s Buffalo Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls in the early 90s. > [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > The Buffalo Bills lost 4 Super Bowls in a row. And the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers have lost 13 World Series, including 5 within 10 years when they were in Brooklyn (1947-1956). The Los Angeles Lakers lost 7 NBA finals between 1962 and 1970. There are plenty of franchises that have lost more than 4 finals, and there are plenty of “sides” (teams that are made up of basically the same players) that have lost more finals in a limited period of time. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/995 "2018-06-30T17:38:45Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > There are plenty of franchises that have lost more than 4 finals, and there are plenty of “sides” (teams that are made up of basically the same players) that have lost more finals in a limited period of time. Such as? LeBron has lost 3/4 NBA Finals. But I cannot think of any side except this Argentina side which has lost 4 finals without winning; and also the Bills. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/996 "2018-06-30T17:48:14Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Is it too early to speculate about what might happen if France makes it all the way to Moscow? Will it involve Tchaikovsky? Maybe they can do what Napoleon couldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/997 "2018-06-30T17:53:29Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > …Re the Buffalo Bills; damn. Poor bastards. A bit of googling reveals that they got hammered each time except for the first, why did they keep choking? Well the first one was won, except for an infamous missed field goal at the end. It was 47 yards so not a chip shot or anything, but goes in the history books as a “choke”. The last 3 were against dominant NFC teams. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/998 "2018-06-30T17:54:00Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Maybe they can do what Napoleon couldn’t. At least we don’t expect a case of winter til the final… ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/999 "2018-06-30T17:59:37Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Such as? LeBron has lost 3/4 NBA Finals. But I cannot think of any side except this Argentina side which has lost 4 finals without winning; and also the Bills. You didn’t make that distinction. The Dodgers lost 7 World Series before they won their first one, including 4 between 1947-1953. The Lakers won some titles in Minneapolis, but as the Los Angeles Lakers they lost 7 before they finally won an NBA title. You need to define what you mean by a “side.” Obviously it doesn’t mean the Argentine national team, since Argentina has won the World Cup before. I’m sure one could find other examples of teams made up mostly of the same members who have lost 4 or more championship series over a span of a few years besides the Bills, the Dodgers, or the Lakers. (You gave Bjorn Borg as an example of someone who lost 4 finals, but since his losses weren’t consecutive evidently that’s not one of considerations as to whether a team qualifies.) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1000 "2018-06-30T18:04:28Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > At least we don’t expect a case of winter til the final… Winter may be harsh, but the Russians have a specific word for what follows it, which is usually translated to “season of bad roads”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=51)