# World Cup 2022 - discussion, predictions, and thoughts **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [November 6, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476 "2022-11-06T20:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 102
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2023 "2022-12-18T18:06:38Z")
I think we all knew there was no way Messi could win a World Cup without it having to be excruciating nail-biting. Nothing could come easy, the universe won’t allow a bland storyline. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2024 "2022-12-18T18:06:45Z")
Yes, Martinez is Argentina’s 2nd MVP. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2025 "2022-12-18T18:07:31Z")
The only thing that I can say is that it is too bad that a great game with some exceptional performances had to end on penalty kicks. The final game should be played until there is a winner, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2026 "2022-12-18T18:09:15Z")
The Messi vs Ronaldo debate should be settled now. Ronaldo has never played in a single World Cup final while Messi has played in two and won one. But there’s real reason to believe Mbappe will be better yet than even those two. He may leave Pele, Maradona, everyone behind in the dust by his age 35. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2027 "2022-12-18T18:11:49Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > saved two in the shootout I thought the third French penalty was a miss? But before that he had got a hand to Mbappe’s penalty in addition to saving the second one, had the pressure on them. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2028 "2022-12-18T18:12:43Z")
No doubt, and already a legend with his heroics at the last year’s Copa America and this World Cup. And Di Maria also seals his legendary status with goals in both of the championship games. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2029 "2022-12-18T18:15:01Z")
I don’t follow soccer, and barely know the rules. But a friend convinced me to turn this game on during overtime. Holy shit, the athletic virtuosity was amazing. And that was a really exciting game. I’m glad Messi got a world cup bitch in his belt. He’s incredible. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2030 "2022-12-18T18:16:22Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’m glad Messi got a world cup **bitch** in his belt. He’s incredible. What? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2031 "2022-12-18T18:17:34Z")
Notch? ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2032 "2022-12-18T18:18:31Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > > [@Lantern2](#): > > > > saved two in the shootout > > I thought the third French penalty was a miss? But before that he had got a hand to Mbappe’s penalty in addition to saving the second one, had the pressure on them. Ah yes. Incidentally Martinez was very good in the Netherlands shootout too so he is definitely one of the heroes of this World Cup. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2033 "2022-12-18T18:19:07Z")
I thought it might be some kind of Americanism. Been here 35 years, still learning the language. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2034 "2022-12-18T18:24:55Z")
Well, congratulations to @Frodo are in order, no? Are you around, ché? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2035 "2022-12-18T18:28:48Z")
Poor guy may be semi-conscious from…well, stuff. ---
**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:** [December 18, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2036 "2022-12-18T18:36:20Z")
Adrenaline! I bet that sufficed to turn him dizzy today. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2037 "2022-12-18T18:37:49Z")
I’m alive if you were asking. Now waiting for Lio to raise the cup and then to the obelisco. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2038 "2022-12-18T18:49:11Z")
[![](https://i.imgur.com/4Z7yz3u.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/4Z7yz3u.png) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2039 "2022-12-18T18:49:16Z")
Hope they start presenting a royal robe to the winning captain every final. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2040 "2022-12-18T18:50:00Z")
Post some pics of the celebration there! ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2041 "2022-12-18T18:50:59Z")
[Mate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(drink)), it is called. Nice concoction. Now you can drink the serious stuff, **Frodo**. Congratulations! If you wanted suspense, you got it. Even my wife, who is not a football fan at all, said it was a fantastic game. And I, of course, agree with my wife. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/2042 "2022-12-18T18:53:29Z")
Now that it is over have to say that despite the controversies, some of them legitimate, the football in this World Cup has been fantastic. Some great early upsets, those crazy final group games in the Spain/Germany group, a thrilling set of quarter finals, a brave run by Morocco and at the end of it all the best final in decades if not of all time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=101) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=103)