2022 FIFA World Cup Official Thread

[Phantom255x]

That was an awesome run by Japan and they won a lot of hearts in this tournament

A great game as well that was, ending in Croatia winning on PKs. Modric's WC run isn't over yet. Next up is likely Brazil unless Korea upsets them

[ozgod]

That was an awesome run by Japan and they won a lot of hearts in this tournament

A great game as well that was, ending in Croatia winning on PKs. Modric's WC run isn't over yet. Next up is likely Brazil unless Korea upsets them

Heartbreaking way to go out via penalties...I think they choked taking them though. They looked hesitant

[Who]

Dang. When Neymar is in there pulling the strings behind Richarlison, Vinicius Junior and Rafinha ... man, that is an awesome frontline.

[ozgod]

Brazil 4-0 before halftime...it's all over I think

[Celtics2021]

Brazil 4-0 before halftime...it's all over I think

That’s a pretty safe guess.

[bello_man09]

Argentina vs. Netherlands

England vs. France

Amazing games coming up later this week. And we'll see what the other two games are pending the results of the next few games

Must see TV.

[ozgod]

Argentina vs. Netherlands

England vs. France

Amazing games coming up later this week. And we'll see what the other two games are pending the results of the next few games

Must see TV.

Brazil v Croatia

[PAOBoston]

America has the same soccer problem it has had for ever i.e. the best athletes just don't grow up playing soccer.  That is why most of the best players the US has have dual citizenship and don't grow up in the states.

Yes and no. You don’t necessarily need to be an uber athlete to be a great soccer player. It really comes down to youth development in terms of skill and tactics and that is where the US is lacking. Think the talent pool is pretty good. The advantage the dual nationals on the team have is that their skills at a youth age were developed in other countries, not that they are great athletes. Look at Yedlin, great athlete and physical characteristics but has zero footballing IQ and the touch of donkey. Athleticism ain’t gonna fix that.

Yedlin is 5'7".  He is very small.  That is what you get in America the best athletes are too small to play basketball or football, so they play soccer (or go into combat sports a bit later in their youth). 

A guy like Gakpo is 6'4" and all of the same athletic skill as Yedlin, but in America Gakpo is a WR (or LB or RB or etc.) or in basketball a PG or SG.  Guys like Gakpo don't play soccer in the U.S.  Now sure DePay is only 5'10", but still the DePay's of the world play football as kids in the US, not soccer. 

The US can build all the infrastructure it wants, but if the youth don't want to play soccer it doesn't matter.  If the guys 5'11 to 6'4" don't want to play, then the US is always going to be behind the 8-ball.

6’4” is tall for a soccer player. Typically goalies and central defenders are somewhere close to that size but even that is being generous. You don’t see super tall players in soccer mostly because they are too large to dribble adequately. I don’t think it’s size that’s the issue.

[Phantom255x]

That was an awesome run by Japan and they won a lot of hearts in this tournament

A great game as well that was, ending in Croatia winning on PKs. Modric's WC run isn't over yet. Next up is likely Brazil unless Korea upsets them

Heartbreaking way to go out via penalties...I think they choked taking them though. They looked hesitant

Yeah not to take away from Livaković (Croatia's Goalkeeper) but Japan made it real easy for him. He went the right direction but they were legit just soft hits on the ground basically, or at least they looked like it. Maybe a little elevation or a little harder kick could have gone in once of the three misses?

Brazil vs. Croatia is going to be interesting. I pick Brazil still but Croatia is capable of slowing the game down and being strategic which could make things interesting. Croatia and Netherlands to me are sort of similar teams in that they aren't necessarily flashy but they can be "silent killers".

Unlike NED though, I'm not sure Croatia really has too many true "finishers" which could hurt them against Brazil. You definitely need at least 2 goals or more to beat them. Croatia in 4 games has only scored a combined 5 goals and 4 of them literally came in that one game against Canada

[Phantom255x]

MOROCCO UPSETS SPAIN ON PENALTY KICKS

[Who]

Pepe is incredible. 39 years old and still getting it done.

Edit: Pepe the 2nd oldest scorer in a World Cup game behind Roger Milla of Cameroon in 1994 at 42 years old.

[Who]

Joao Felix is a genius. I'd love to see him get away from Diego Simeone and play for someone who plays possession based attacking football. Unlock his game.

[Who]

The depth of Portugal is impressive.

I talked previously of the immense creativity of the midfield trio of Bernardo Silva, Ruben Neves and Bruno Fernandes. But then they have Vitinha and playing today Otavio. Another two well rounded creative midfielders. Plus the ever steady William Carvalho. Oh and Joao Mario too. Wow.

Even in attack, no Cristiano Ronaldo or Rafael Leao today. No problems. This guy Ramos who I am not familiar with but he is playing great today. Their attack is dangerous.

So much quality throughout this Portugal side.

[Who]

Beautiful setup from Dalot for Ramos. Simplicity.

[Who]

Awesome breakaway. Lovely quick passing and powerful finish by Guerreiro. 4-0.