# 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:** 91
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1802 "2022-12-15T03:54:09Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > As a CB! šŸ«£ Not sure if that emoji is trying to convey doubts, but I thought as a defensive midfielder Griezmann took charge of making the most clearances and inteceptions, along with being instrumental in setting up the first goal. Rivalled Hernanadez as Franceā€™s top player this game. Did you think his play / positioning was a liability at any point? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1803 "2022-12-15T04:32:33Z")
Surprisingly hard to pick out the best goal of quarters and semis. Off the top of my head: -Neymar vs Croatia -Messi insane assist vs Netherlands -Messi insane assist vs Croatia -Netherlands set piece to tie it -Argentina goal #2 vs Croatia, one guy just runs it right through everyone -France goal #1 vs Morocco, somehow kicked it in downward from head height ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1804 "2022-12-15T07:40:04Z")
He did well, but itā€™s never a good thing when your AM is doing what your backs should be doing. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1805 "2022-12-15T08:01:17Z")
Wordle 544 3/6 ā¬›šŸŸØšŸŸØā¬›ā¬› šŸŸØšŸŸ©ā¬›ā¬›ā¬› šŸŸ©šŸŸ©šŸŸ©šŸŸ©šŸŸ© EARTH LIONS RIVAL ---
**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 15, 2022, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1806 "2022-12-15T09:34:40Z")
The only Argentine advantage I can see is that they did get an extra day of rest. Otherwise, sorry, yeah, it clearly looks like France will steamroll to victory. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1807 "2022-12-15T09:55:20Z")
The French only barely won against England and Morocco. England were probably the better team and 2-0 scoreline hides a very close SF. Itā€™s all up for grabs. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1808 "2022-12-15T15:43:22Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The only Argentine advantage I can see is that they did get an extra day of rest. Otherwise, sorry, yeah, it clearly looks like France will steamroll to victory. I donā€™t see that. Argentina were more impressive against Croatia than France was against Morocco. I think anyone can take it. And it may depend on a moment of brilliance from either Messi or Mbappe. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1809 "2022-12-15T17:38:58Z")
Agreed. France can be terrifying on the break, but otherwise theyā€™ve slogged their way through the knock out phase. Not convincing at all. ---
**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 15, 2022, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1810 "2022-12-15T18:12:38Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > > [@Velocity](#): > > > > The only Argentine advantage I can see is that they did get an extra day of rest. Otherwise, sorry, yeah, it clearly looks like France will steamroll to victory. > > I donā€™t see that. Argentina were more impressive against Croatia than France was against Morocco. I think anyone can take it. And it may depend on a moment of brilliance from either Messi or Mbappe. Agreed the two sides are well-matched. I would add that both sides have shown a lot of resilience to get here. Argentina recovered after losing their first game and the demoralizing equalizer by the Netherlands. France weathered two tough games with the help of some clinical finishing. Hopefully it should make for a good final. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1811 "2022-12-15T19:16:57Z")
Argentina seems to have the ability to create more opportunities. France tends to be dangerous with any opportunity, but this is largely dependent on two players. It has the potential to be a match of historical greatness. ---
**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 15, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1812 "2022-12-15T19:18:36Z")
Dammit guys. [![](https://memepedia.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dont-give-me-hope-meme-3-768x409.jpg) ](https://memepedia.ru/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dont-give-me-hope-meme-3-768x409.jpg) ---
**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 15, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1813 "2022-12-15T20:24:33Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y0S_MebzyzQ/hqdefault.jpg "Lord of the rings - Just a fool's hope") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0S_MebzyzQ) ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1814 "2022-12-15T23:08:40Z")
> [@Lantern2](#): > > Argentina recovered after losing their first game Interesting that both finalists lost one of their group games. I can only remember Spain 2010 and Brazil 98 losing and then making the final. ---
**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 15, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1815 "2022-12-15T23:16:29Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > I can only remember Spain 2010 and Brazil 98 losing and then making the final. Happened a few times to Germany: In 1954, they lost 3-8 to Hungary in the group stage, but won over the same team 3-2 in the final. In 1974, West Germany lost 0-1 to East Germany in the group stage, an embarrassing defeat, but nonetheless made the final and won 2-1 over the Netherlands. In 1982, they lost their first group game to Algeria 1-2, but finally advanced under scandalous circumstances (just search for ā€˜Gijonā€™ in this thread) to make the final that they lost 1-3 to Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2022, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1816 "2022-12-16T06:22:17Z")
Not sure if it was mentioned earlier on but I remember Messi briefly clutching his ham early against Croatia. Luckily nothing more came of it, and letā€™s hope it stays that way (at least for another 90 minutes of footy). ---
**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 16, 2022, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1817 "2022-12-16T13:17:04Z")
Last days of school in Argentina: > ---
**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 16, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1818 "2022-12-16T13:28:53Z")
Does their school uniform just happen to be Celeste y Blanco or does everyone in Argentina own a replica shirt? ---
**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 16, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1819 "2022-12-16T13:30:27Z")
The latter, as a Public TV journalist said a few days ago to Messi :ā€œThereā€™s no child in Argentina who does not wear your shirt, be it original, fake or imaginaryā€. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1820 "2022-12-16T14:21:21Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I will be watching as little as possible, perhaps no game at all. I am weaning myself off football, had enough from FIFA and UEFA. Apple TV+ has a new documentary coming out about the European Super League. It seems like forever ago, but it was only last year. For those who donā€™t remember, it was a failed attempt to break the monopoly of UEFA football. The documentary is supposed to have an inside look at what happened. Iā€™m looking forward to watching it. I havenā€™t seen it myself yet, but a friend of mine helped make it, so I want to raise awareness among those it might interest. (This post has been pre-approved by the forumā€™s moderators.) > **[Apple announces new four-part documentary event ā€œSuper League: The War for...](https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/news/2022/12/apple-announces-new-four-part-documentary-event-super-league-the-war-for-football-to-premiere-january-13/)** > > Apple TV+ today revealed new sports documentary series ā€œSuper League: The War for Football,ā€ to premiere January 13, 2023. ---
**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 16, 2022, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/1821 "2022-12-16T14:37:08Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > it was a failed attempt to break the monopoly of UEFA football My impression was that it was a failed attempt to make new league with only the richest teams and without relegation, in other words a failed attempt to kill futbol. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=90) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=92)