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 France’s top player this game. Did you think his play / positioning was a liability at any point?
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
He did well, but it’s never a good thing when your AM is doing what your backs should be doing.
Wordle 544 3/6
EARTH
LIONS
RIVAL
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.
The French only barely won against England and Morocco. England were probably the better team and 2-0 scoreline hides a very close SF.
It’s all up for grabs.
I don’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. France can be terrifying on the break, but otherwise they’ve slogged their way through the knock out phase. Not convincing at all.
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.
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.
Dammit guys.
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.
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 ‘Gijon’ in this thread) to make the final that they lost 1-3 to Italy.
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 let’s hope it stays that way (at least for another 90 minutes of footy).
Last days of school in Argentina:
Does their school uniform just happen to be Celeste y Blanco or does everyone in Argentina own a replica shirt?
The latter, as a Public TV journalist said a few days ago to Messi :“There’s no child in Argentina who does not wear your shirt, be it original, fake or imaginary”.
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 don’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. I’m looking forward to watching it.
I haven’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 forum’s moderators.)
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.