Match #39 - Poland v. Argentina

Poland had to come via playoff, Argentina is obviously favourite, Poland isn't expected to win the WC. But the last 4 WC were won by European sides.

 

No point sending endless crosses into the box when all of your attackers are midgets.

Argentina are lacking a true centre forward.

 

The laws are very black and white in situations like those. If there's contact and the ball is still in play, its a penalty AFAIK. That said, the Laws probably need a rethink for situations like this.

 

I have seen penalties given for this exact thing outside the 5 yard box. It is rare and harsh but I have seen it.

Never in my three decades and counting have I seen that given inside the goalkeeper's box.

 

Poland deserves to lose based on how they are presenting themselves, Mexico and Saudi Arabia never went into their games with such a low block.

 

This competition has a few of them. Ronaldo's penalty an obvious contender.

 

Messi with two gift penalties in the torunament.

 

It was a penalty, better complain about the dumb Ghana defender action.

 

I've seen them given all the time, but I dont agree with it at all.

If the player gets taken out when he CLEARLY doesn't have possession of the ball it should never be a PK.

If I were FIFA I would radically alter the PK rules.

I think fouls in the box that don't prevent a clear chance should be free kicks and not PKs.

PKs are just cheap unless a clear chance was stopped by a foul.

 

Some people are saying touching an eyelash after the ball is gone is a PK?

You have to be kidding.

 

What’s the record?

I’m curious about Ochoa vs Brazil and the Netherlands in 2014?

 

How other teams played in previous matches is irrelevant within the context of what is at stake for Poland. It's more than evident that Poland has been deployed in such a way to avoid losing rather than to seek a win. However, a draw is sufficient for Poland to reach the round of 16. Mexico and Saudi Arabia cannot afford to draw their match, however, for such a result will send them both home.

More than avoiding defeat, Argentina needs Saudi Arabia not to win its match. Should the Saudis open the scoreboard, the pressure on Argentina to defeat Poland will only increase, and drastically so. Poland will be content simply to avoid defeat regardless of whether Saudi Arabia wins, loses, or draws.

 

Call me old-fashioned and outdated but the fact we only get to see a virtual recreation of offsides situations nowadays is just mad.

At the very least show me both the real and virtual angle.

There's a reason I watch less and less football anymore. This is just an atrocious viewing experience in my opinion.

 

Don't have the data to back it, but Koncilia from Austria in 82 must be on top of those stats.

 

crooked FIFA, that's not a penalty.

His pinkie finger glazed Messi's forehead , that's all. Not a PK,

the ball was still in play? for like 1/8th of a second heading to row Z.

FIFA wants Messi and Arg. in the round of 16 that's for sure.

and shame on Messi rolling around like he was poked in the eye, not even close. No Fair Play.

 

What a goal !!!

 

Game on.

 

In the end it doesn't matter. Let's hope for no more nonsense.

 

With all this Argentina probably will face Australia and good prospects of reaching the last 8.

 

With this scoreboard, Brazil and Morocco alone have clean sheets in this tournament.

 

Poland now have to not lose by 2.

 

With Polland trying to go up the pitch they will be even more exposed than they were.

 

Mexico 2-0 now

 

Mexico is going to qualify, my prediction here.