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FIFA World Cup 2018 | June 30 | Day 17 | Discussion Thread (2 matches)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Who will win the France vs Argentina last-16 match? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRAARG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRAARG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a></p>— PakPassion Sport (@PakPassionSport) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPassionSport/status/1012825081142226944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can Uruguay stop Cristiano Ronaldo? Manager Oscar Tabarez knows it won't be easy. <a href="https://t.co/wG9avuJfNm">pic.twitter.com/wG9avuJfNm</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1012938836324896769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Umtiti knows it hasn’t been easy for Messi 👀 <a href="https://t.co/rshGDIA4x6">pic.twitter.com/rshGDIA4x6</a></p>— B/R Football (@brfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1012694062778834944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
We could be in for a mouthwatering QF if both Argentina and Portugal win their games.There is a low chance of that happening but this World Cup has been quite the surprise package.
 
Totally different ball game - now we are in KO stage and whatever took place last week ends there. This is a game between the youngest and oldest squad of this WC - Arges team comes with lots, lots of experience and quality. If it goes to extra time, it'll be difficult for Argentina to match the speed & power of France.

As a French fan, I would have loved to face Nigeria or any European/African team for sure than Argentina. One Messi can do lot more damage in 3/4 touches than 20-30 minutes pressing & possession. Hope France turn-up today - they were my favorite at the start, even without being the Fan.

This Deschamps guy has again started safety first - Matuidi at left wing & CB Pavard at right back :(
 
Argentina & Colombia should know that now they are not facing African teams ..................
 
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] Thoughts on the excessive penalties in this tournament ? some justified others not, but at times don't feel compatible with them being the deciding factor, also do you play Fifa ? and update for Fifa 18 recently includes the 2018 World Cup tournament
 
France is playing too fast; will they be slow in 2nd half?
 
shaz619 said:
[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] Thoughts on the excessive penalties in this tournament ? some justified others not, but at times don't feel compatible with them being the deciding factor, also do you play Fifa ? and update for Fifa 18 recently includes the 2018 World Cup tournament
Click to expand...

Referees are pressurized to increase attacking play & more scores. This will settle down in few years time.
 
wth,, oh my goodness,, So even a broken clock shows a correct time twice a day, and it's proven with Di Maria goal,,, Among the Goals of the WC for me,,
 
France needs to be more aggressive; cannot depend on Mbappe so much
 
Wow Argentina ahead now. After France's early domination Argentina have woken up.
 
This guy Deshchamps will never attack until his team is behind. How on earth in this French team that Matuidi guy starts at left wing is beyond my imagination.

I don't see France equalizing here - Argentina has nose ahead and they know how to keep possession; France will miss lots of close chances as well, because their No. 9 is Giroud.
 
Looks done for Argentina here. And I think Messi will call his retirement as well.
 
Arges Done & Dusted,,, But a better match than most expected, specially for neutrals,,, Some memorable Goals,,,
 
Arg has really poor defence.. too high defensive line...slower legs... no wonder team is bowing out so quickly.

Messi has been made redundant the whole tournament as well...just one amazing goal..

They should have gone defensive after leading 2-1.

But hatsoff to France for coming back from 1-2 down and shutting Argentina within a few minutes
 
If Deschamps don't sort this sh!ti defense, France is going back to home next game - be is Suarez or CR.

Well played Argentina - only an elite team can produce such quality from shambles. If they could have avoided France and take may be a bit less classy European side like Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland or even England - today they played brilliant enough to advance. And one thing we must admit De Maria & Kun are two of the most underrated soccer superstar - that goal by ADM was absolute class, he knew exactly what he was doing and executed perfectly (I think, Pavar tried to cross the ball for Grizz'man).

Probably, end of a true, true genius of soccer in Internationals - he never somehow turned it for Argentina, but there will never, never, never be someone like Messi, he is unique, he is unreal in his game. I am genuinely hurt today to see him leaving - I wish he can stay fit and make one more WC; may be retire for 2 years and come back at WC qualifiers to manage his aging body. May be it's befitting that Messi is leaving in the game where the next superstar of soccer announced him - this kid Kylaan Mbappe will run many many miles in soccer in next 15 years.

I am happy for France, but today is to mourn for Messi - never trust everything I write in PP to rile up his fanatics, but Messi is Messi, will always be Messi; I have never seen something like Leo of Barca, won't ever see for sure.
 
FIFA World Cup 2018 | June 30 | Day 17 | Discussion Thread (2 matches) Uruguay vs Portugal

Feel incredibly sad for Argentina. They fought well, but they should`ve defended their lead better than this. They were dominating after 2-1 lead but below average defence let them down, and not for the first time in the tournament. Their goal-keeper is plain awful. Perhaps the worst player to play the tournament.

Either way, a very good match. What a start to the knock-out round. 4-3, phew!

Messi goes I suppose? :(
 
srh said:
is he not the one you were against his selection?
Click to expand...

So what, that goal has nothing to do with Deschamps playing a CB at RB, when they had Djbril Sidebe on reserve. He had a poor defensive game today and France conceded 3 goals from his side.

Pavard is 22, and might end up at Bayern, which should make him a world class CB, to partner Varane; but he is not a RB and the next manager with a little attacking mindset won't play him there.
 
DHONI183 said:
Feel incredibly sad for Argentina. They fought well, but they should`ve defended their lead better than this. They were dominating after 2-1 lead but below average defence let them down, and not for the first time in the tournament. Their goal-keeper is plain awful. Perhaps the worst player to play the tournament.

Either way, a very good match. What a start to the knock-out round. 4-3, phew!

Messi goes I suppose? :(
Click to expand...

Actually, they were shell shocked by the Pavard goal. They did try to keep possession after the lead, but that unexpected goal from nowhere changed everything. France was playing with 10 men & Giroud, still this aged Arges side won't have contained France in extra time; besides they had card trouble - 4 in the defense line already booked and Mascharano was lucky to avoid a 2nd yellow; while Ottamendi did the naughty thing 2nd time, could have been off for next offense.

France was far better side to be honest - it's 2 individual piece of brilliance from De Maria & Messi/Kun and a chancy deflection made the game look close and French defense was all over the place (there was no one in 20 metres when De Maria had the time for a free hit); other wise in a boxing game, referee won't have allowed o last full distance.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">When you're stuck at work missing the game of the <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAWorldCup</a>... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FRAARG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FRAARG</a> <a href="https://t.co/dD1XCm9ZuK">pic.twitter.com/dD1XCm9ZuK</a></p>— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1013090524469788673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Messi gone and now it's time for Ronaldo to join him.

Uruguay have steadily improved. This will be tough for Portugal.
 
Cavani is having the game of his life.

By the way, Mbappe has his room decorated with Ronaldo posters. Kid has some capability on grass, but haven't seen him with free kick and heading.
 
Two of the greatest ever probably played their last game in National color in space of 3 hours - don't think it has happened ever.
 
Heartbreaking for the fans- two of the greatest ever playing their final game on same day in national colors.
 
MMHS said:
Cavani is having the game of his life.

By the way, Mbappe has his room decorated with Ronaldo posters. Kid has some capability on grass, but haven't seen him with free kick and heading.
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Mbappe is amazing and highly talented but Osman Dembele is not far behind him. His shooting is better than Mbappe's. This is start of another Golden era for France.
 
Ab Fan said:
Heartbreaking for the fans- two of the greatest ever playing their final game on same day in national colors.
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Both were poor today.

This is why they couldn't ever touch the GOAT Maradonna, he showed up in the biggest of games even when his team was not as good as the opposition.
 
Messi and Ronaldo proving that one man cannot do everything.

Some of their team mates were poor and not very supportive of these two greats.
 
Greenstorm said:
Mbappe is amazing and highly talented but Osman Dembele is not far behind him. His shooting is better than Mbappe's. This is start of another Golden era for France.
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Ideally, my French XI will be

Lorris

Varane Umtiti
Sidebe Mendy
Kante Tolliso/Raboit
Pogba
Mbappe Dembele
Karim/Griz'man

Add to that
Kempembe, Pavard, Laporte, Kurzawa, Theo Hernandez (Real's one)
N'Zonni, Kongdogbia
Lemar, Coman, Martial, Fekir
Lekazzette


Imagine Benzema leading this attack as No. 9, instead of that football hack Giroud. However, they have a 18 years old kid Amine Gouiri - if he fulfills his unreal potential, a future Ballon D' Oorr contender. Just remember the name, Amine Ferid Gouiri - he'll be 22 at Qatar.

This is unreal - their 2nd squad is good enough to make at least QF - only if France was managed by an attacking Coach like Wenger, Zidane, Herve Renard or Rene Girard!!!!!
 
What FFF has done is, they have re-engineered their entire soccer system under Clarifontain - every academy under FFF ownership or Club level are guided by Clarifontain and they have established an unique French system of football. Each of their players are extremely fit, technically sound and skillful - their only issue had been like PAK cricket team; players are always at each others back and they don't care about what's appropriate and when (I think, Bossis or someone caught red handed doing naughty things with Captain Platini's wife.... during WC 1982 in Spain!!!).

But, what triggered French soccer is African link - their academies & clubs are full of outstanding African (Both from Mediterranean & black) kids. Talented & physically much gifted these kids are given proper coaching, diet, training, financial security, starting from U7 level in 150+ world class academies, managed under same development programs developed by Clarifontain and they have over 5000K pro coach working as football teacher in schools (not joking, 5000+ pro badge holder). This kids are often coming from poverty, humiliation and racial abuse, therefore Soccer is their only way for self esteem and career security.

And the last thing is French League. France's taxation system is extremely harsh for high earners and after certain level, it's 75% tax. For that, most top players in France ask for payment net off tax - it's impossible for their clubs to keep top players with that level of wage (unless it's PSG & Monaco - Principality has a different tax free zone). French league also had a rule of 2 U19 starters in every game (not sure still exists or not, PSG has bought lots of things in French league) - what clubs do is they sign first pro contract with players at 16 (in UK, it's 18, but in France one can sign pro contract at 16), for a 5 year deal and these kids actually get game times at highest level - best U19 Goal Keeper in world is Alban Lafonte, kid is 19 and already has played 100 League 1 game for Toulose - in England, he would have been reserve for Sunderland till 23!!!!! Similarly, Coman has won French, Italian & German League by the age of 19!!!!! Most of them leaves by 21-23 for UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, but that actually helps the next batch
 
Last edited:
MMHS said:
Ideally, my French XI will be

Lorris

Varane Umtiti
Sidebe Mendy
Kante Tolliso/Raboit
Pogba
Mbappe Dembele
Karim/Griz'man

Add to that
Kempembe, Pavard, Laporte, Kurzawa, Theo Hernandez (Real's one)
N'Zonni, Kongdogbia
Lemar, Coman, Martial, Fekir
Lekazzette


Imagine Benzema leading this attack as No. 9, instead of that football hack Giroud. However, they have a 18 years old kid Amine Gouiri - if he fulfills his unreal potential, a future Ballon D' Oorr contender. Just remember the name, Amine Ferid Gouiri - he'll be 22 at Qatar.

This is unreal - their 2nd squad is good enough to make at least QF - only if France was managed by an attacking Coach like Wenger, Zidane, Herve Renard or Rene Girard!!!!!
Click to expand...

You forgot to add Bakayoko and Payet. Insanely talented these French players.
 
Greenstorm said:
You forgot to add Bakayoko and Payet. Insanely talented these French players.
Click to expand...

Payet has played his last game for France - he is 31 already. Bakayoko couldn't make even 30 men squad and he might start for England (in place of our captain - Henderson)
 
MMHS said:
Ideally, my French XI will be

Lorris

Varane Umtiti
Sidebe Mendy
Kante Tolliso/Raboit
Pogba
Mbappe Dembele
Karim/Griz'man

Add to that
Kempembe, Pavard, Laporte, Kurzawa, Theo Hernandez (Real's one)
N'Zonni, Kongdogbia
Lemar, Coman, Martial, Fekir
Lekazzette


Imagine Benzema leading this attack as No. 9, instead of that football hack Giroud. However, they have a 18 years old kid Amine Gouiri - if he fulfills his unreal potential, a future Ballon D' Oorr contender. Just remember the name, Amine Ferid Gouiri - he'll be 22 at Qatar.

This is unreal - their 2nd squad is good enough to make at least QF - only if France was managed by an attacking Coach like Wenger, Zidane, Herve Renard or Rene Girard!!!!!
Click to expand...


You forgot Langlet. Excellent CB for Sevilla. Also Ndomeble can replace Nzonzi who is 29.

Unbelievable talent France. France is my 2nd for the tournament after England!
 
Hasan123 said:
You forgot Langlet. Excellent CB for Sevilla. Also Ndomeble can replace Nzonzi who is 29.

Unbelievable talent France. France is my 2nd for the tournament after England!
Click to expand...

Langlet has to join a big gun, but indeed outstanding CB in making (French as well :( ). Another one is Isa Diop. DM/CM is like French specialized position - there are so many talented options that none can complain for missing out.
 
MMHS said:
Langlet has to join a big gun, but indeed outstanding CB in making (French as well :( ). Another one is Isa Diop. DM/CM is like French specialized position - there are so many talented options that none can complain for missing out.
Click to expand...

He has joined West Ham. Will keep an eye on his progress.
 
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