2022 FIFA World Cup Official Thread

[Phantom255x]

WHAT A GAME

Huge congrats to Croatia. That was insane, down 1-0 with 5 minutes left and then they scored, then won on PKs. Couldn't have scripted it much better. Happy for Modric, his run isn't over yet 

Brazil were heavy favorites going into the tournament and I also picked them to win it all. Crazy

Also I just want to say Croatia's GK (Livakovic) is a BEAST. That guy is a brick wall and has done fantastic in two straight games as well (including the penalty kick portions) against Japan, now Brazil

[ozgod]

WHAT A GAME

Huge congrats to Croatia. That was insane, down 1-0 with 5 minutes left and then they scored, then won on PKs. Couldn't have scripted it much better. Happy for Modric, his run isn't over yet 

Brazil were heavy favorites going into the tournament and I also picked them to win it all. Crazy

Also I just want to say Croatia's GK (Livakovic) is a BEAST. That guy is a brick wall and has done fantastic in two straight games as well (including the penalty kick portions) against Japan, now Brazil

i wonder who  the Brazilian media will pin this one on. Surely unfair to pin it on Rodrygo and Marquinhos.

[ozgod]

It's not beyond Croatia to get to the final again. I think they would have a good chance against Argentina or the Netherlands. They've got a really solid midfield with Kovacic, Brozovic and Modric.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Croatia's been a really good team for quite a few years now, but still, to beat Brazil is a huge feat for any team. The only team I still have alive for my office's knockout pool is Argentina, so I'll have to be rooting for them against the Netherlands.

[mobilija]

Goal keeping def won it for Crotia.

Neymar's goal was stupendous multiple give n gos. Woulda been an amazing ending if it had been sudden death for OT......

[Who]

Messi can change a game in an instant.

What a pass to setup that opportunity & goal.

[Who]

Dutch CBs need to do more in possession. Argentina are marking De Jong and De Roon out of the game. Dutch cannot pass through midfield. The wing backs are a non-factor. They are forcing Holland to play long on the floor to the forwards. If the pass is successful, then the wing backs get involved.

Need one of those CBs to carry the ball out of the backline and attack with the dribble or utilize some long diagonal passes to runners in behind the defense. Do something to destabalize that setup Argentina defense. Argentina too comfortable.

The CBs not being incisive enough. When you play a back 3, you need more creation from back there.

[gouki88]

The vision and touch by Messi on setting up that goal was ridiculous.

[Who]

Dutch not looking to play in behind at all. Everything is in front of Argentina's defense and comfortable. Easy balls for their defense to deal with.

Bergjwin and Depay need to make runs in behind the defenders and Holland's defenders need to make those long ball passes because De Jong and De Roon cannot get open.

[Who]

Daley Blind is a great passer from deep. They should move him back there and find someone else to play as left wing back.

[Who]

You had Ruud Krol play this role for the Dutch in 1978 World Cup. Then Koeman in 1988 European Championship. Frank De Boer took over in the late 90s early 00s.

They need a creative passer at CB to open up the game.

Argentina have taken their midfielders out of commission.

[gouki88]

Messi inches away from making it 2-0 on a free kick

[Who]

I've always liked the idea of Barcelona going to an ultra-attacking 3-4-3 lineup with one true CB with De Jong alongside him at LCB and Sergi Roberto at RCB. Essentially two central midfielders alongside one CB.

I'd like to see Holland try something like this here. Move De Jong back to defense. Maybe sub in Klaasen to play in midfield for one of the CBs. Or even have De Jong swap positions with Ake. Ake played in midfield earlier in his career as a defensive mid. Just to free up De Jong and get him in some open space where he can dictate play.

McAllister and De Paul have done an excellent job of stopping Holland from playing through central midfield. They have shut them down.

[Who]

Paredes not the runner De Paul is. More of a sitter in midfield.

Be interesting to see if Argentina can maintain their pressure on Holland's midfield duo or if the'll fall off now that Paredes is on.

[gouki88]

That's disappointing