World Cup: Group D: Nigeria vs. Argentina, Iceland vs. Croatia, 6/26/2018

[koyvoo]

 

[robertmac43]

England

I wouldn't say England has been relatively impressive, more on par with what they should be doing against the competition they have had. Could be a serious wake up call when they come up against better quality teams.

 

[NyQuil]

I wouldn't say England has been relatively impressive, more on par with what they should be doing against the competition they have had. Could be a serious wake up call when they come up against better quality teams.

To be fair, they’ve been burned so many times I think they are legitimately trying to keep expectations low.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Those Messi touches on the goal were filthy.

 

[Evilo]

@Evilo you getting nervous yet

About what?

 

[Live in the Now]

I wouldn't say England has been relatively impressive, more on par with what they should be doing against the competition they have had. Could be a serious wake up call when they come up against better quality teams.

Yeah, I keep wanting to say something about Belgium and England. They took care of business, but just look at who they played. The US failed to qualify as we know, but the US also beat Panama 4-0 right before the disaster in Trinidad. They are not a good team and not a good judge of how Belgium and England will play against good teams.

 

[Havre]

Who cares if it ends up with Ronaldo vs Messi. Not even close to the two best players in the WC these days.

 

[ViD]

About what?

Facing Messi

 

[TJ21]

These announcers on TSN heaping praise on Messi, and I just don't understand it. He scored a brilliant goal no doubt, but I lost count of how many times in that second half he lost possession. Saying he was the best player on the pitch is ridiculous. Didn't look like himself at all, and man, this team keeps sneaking through. Credit to Rojo though, that was a gorgeous strike. I can't see them getting through France, but they'll have the pressure to win lifted from them somewhat, as not many will have them beating France. That could work in their favor, going to be a fun game to watch either way.

 

[c9777666]

Argentina should consider themselves very lucky to escape with the win there.

You can say that about a lot of teams this WC

 

[Evilo]

Facing Messi

I'm more nervous with France's play.
If they play like they can, Argentina won't be much of a trouble. If they don't, anything can happen, but at this point, I'd rather lose to Messi if we suck than scrap a poor win against Nigeria.

 

[robertmac43]

Yeah, I keep wanting to say something about Belgium and England. They took care of business, but just look at who they played. The US failed to qualify as we know, but the US also beat Panama 4-0 right before the disaster in Trinidad. They are not a good team and not a good judge of how Belgium and England will play against good teams.

Also out of the 6 goals, there were the 2 pens and 1 lucky deflection. Does not convince me in anyway that this England team is different than the ones in other recent major tournaments.

 

[Evilo]

I can't see Argentina's defense holding up against France in theory. With the way France's attack has looked though, they could make Argentina's D look like that of 98 French WC team.

 

[robertmac43]

To be fair, they’ve been burned so many times I think they are legitimately trying to keep expectations low.

Which is why the coming round of 16 exit should be no surprise to people :p

 

[Evilo]

I'm coming up late to the thread, but has there been an outcry of the total incredible non call of a penalty for the handball?
Imagine if it was the other way around and Argentina wouldn't go through because of a ref mistake?

 

[koyvoo]

These announcers on TSN heaping praise on Messi, and I just don't understand it. He scored a brilliant goal no doubt, but I lost count of how many times in that second half he lost possession. Saying he was the best player on the pitch is ridiculous. Didn't look like himself at all, and man, this team keeps sneaking through. Credit to Rojo though, that was a gorgeous strike. I can't see them getting through France, but they'll have the pressure to win lifted from them somewhat, as not many will have them beating France. That could work in their favor, going to be a fun game to watch either way.

KJ and Steven have been accused of being Ronaldo/Portugal apologists (which must be as rare as an actual blue moon amongst English/American pundits), while overly critical of Argentina and Messi. That’s why they added this third guy now.

 

[BahlDeep]

I'm coming up late to the thread, but has there been an outcry of the total incredible non call of a penalty for the handball?
Imagine if it was the other way around and Argentina wouldn't go through because of a ref mistake?

I mean Nigeria got away with a blatant red card when Di Maria was in the clear and got tripped.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I can't see Argentina's defense holding up against France in theory. With the way France's attack has looked though, they could make Argentina's D look like that of 98 French WC team.

Didn't they win?

 

[Evilo]

Didn't they win?

Yup, and beating the less goals against ever in a WC.
Which is my point, Argentina's D may look awful, but France's attack has made Australia's, Peru's and Denmark's defenses look like walls.

 

[Evilo]

I mean Nigeria got away with a blatant red card when Di Maria was in the clear and got tripped.

I missed that.

 

[Havre]

I missed that.

Probably because it never happened.

The ref did very well all through the game imo.

 

[maclean]

I'm coming up late to the thread, but has there been an outcry of the total incredible non call of a penalty for the handball?
Imagine if it was the other way around and Argentina wouldn't go through because of a ref mistake?

I was amazed really. I mean, I didn't think it should've been a penalty either, but I was sure he would call it

 

[Live in the Now]

Yeah early in the game. It was arguable.

I don't think the handball was a handball either. He headed it into his own hand which was a foot away and clearly on accident.

That being said I have no idea how Ighalo missed. It was a perfect chance.

 

[Chandrashekhar Limit]

Meza is the worst player I've ever seen at a modern WC.

Worse than Brazilian Fred from last WC?

 

[East Coast Bias]

Yep. In the QF.

Sorry France and Uruguay but fully rooting against yous now.

As the resident Mod, you’ve got to be out of your mind to root for that QF. Haha. The place will meltdown.