2022 World Cup Qatar: Group C - Argentina vs. Poland

Lewa is box player , I mean dude these days is even slower than Papu when Poland tries to counter lol , even some heavy first touches.

 

Which is why that brickfoot RDP should be doing more of a #5 duty, since he forgot how to shoot or making penetrating pass. Let Enzo venture forward more often.

 

At least he played at WC and scored the other day. There's great player like Haaland who's not even in this tournament.

 

Is anyone else annoyed that Almada got his World Cup debut ahead of Angel Correa and Dybala?

 

You should gloat. And good to see you again, my friend. Hope all is well.

 

The good news is that the next game if we advance will be Friday. So, we will get plenty of rest.
We gotta put the Aussies away early. I guess this is the benefit of being in an earlier group.

 

Messi is actually awarded MOTM by Fifa but he awards it to Allister

 

Two pricks out in one sweep.

 

For Messi, I'm sure at this point MOTM award only feels like scoring in training session.

 

What a performance! Poland was completely outclassed. It's a good thing, but I'm of the mind that I want the team tested a bit in the first round to keep things sharp. As it stands, I don't know if the issues of giving balls away cheaply are behind us, or were simply hidden by two straight opponents that did not come to play offensively.
RDP - Heading in the right direction.
Mac - The more they start looking for him, the more he'll produce...and the more he'll make room for Messi.
Messi - I hope he's gotten the penalty miss out of the way. Could have really made things a lot more sweaty in the end. We need to start seeing some magic from him on set pieces period.
Di Maria - I will always love this man, but he was born with tight quads. Hopefully, he'll be okay. I liked him a lot today.
Enzo - Convincing performance...Not perfect, but let's keep riding him.
Alvarez - Did his job, but I don't think this was a performance that should have him supplant Lautauro (did himself no favors with his Higuain impression) for sure.
Scaloni - Still riding with him and trusting his instincts.

 

Messi scored penalty and we lost the game,now he missed but we won 2-0. This proof one thing, penalty goal or misses doesnt determine the outcome of the match, especially if its still early in the game. Just keep the groove goin and we'll eventually scores.

 

I just got to rewatch the full replay of the match and wow what a performance! The counter-pressing, team compact for easy team player, the flexibility to switch positions. That's the Scaloneta that we've been missing!

Only negative are Acuna's decision making, Messi pen and Lautaro's 1-1 miss. With Di Maria feeling discomfort and with the Australia game coming up soon, we will probably need changes.

Let's go Argentina! Great Performance today.

 

To be fair, Julian also misses alot before finally scored. I think I'd starts him and Lautaro as a sub for KO stage. The confidence must be there after scoring.

 

This victory put me in a good enough mood to rewatch the 2006 match against Germany until they equalized.

1. Riquleme played an atrocious match and was rightfully subbed for Cambiasso. An obvious, correct move by Pekerman. Can't believe how much flak Pekerman gets for this sub.

2. A shame that we lost control a bit after the 1st goal I think due to some tactical changes by them and some of our guys had exhausted themselves dominating midfield mainly Maxi, Sorin, Tevez and also Masch, Lucho, Crespo. Losing our GK really screwed us cause we needed that extra change.

3. Pekerman added Cruz instead of Messi cause he was worried about Germany scoring a header on a set piece. Diego was also terrified of giving up a header on set pieces. I'm trying to remember when the last time an opponent has scored one against us in the World Cup or Copa. Anyone remember ?

 

Congratulations Argentina!!! I knew you'd comeback!

Also, thanks for not scoring that third goal, as I also had Poland advancing.

Also hoping Uruguay can make it through.

 

Germany goal itself was a double header that game? Pekerman rightly criticized. Riquelme used to get on my nerves a lot but even on his bad days he could maintain possession but the most damning evidence are the friendlies prior to the WC. It was vs England and I think Croatia where pekerman did the same cowardly subs with EXACT effects: we had a lead and ended losing. It's actually incredible he didn't use aimar. But Messi just had to come but the man was a coward. IMO tevez didn't fit should have been saviola. That world cup we would have truly benefited from 5 subs.

 

Meanwhile Higuain misses in 2014 and 2016 finals and Di Maria's goal against Brazil were all at 20-21st minute.

However, I dont remember Maradona missing a penalty in WC 1986? he missed a penalty at UEFA cup I think.

 

..and Roman assisted Ayala's goal.

 

Our goal was a header from Ayala off a corner. Germany equalized with the header but it was in open play so Cruz would never have helped out defending it. And it wasn't a matter of height but rather of bad marking and tiredness.

Riquelme was horrible at holding onto the ball the whole match. Created nothing, messed up 2 counters, lost every ball, and did nothing to help recover the ball. I saw one good but not great pass and the corner kick which lead to our goal. Worst match I've seen him play.

Tevez played a great match but I agree that Saviola fit in better with Riquelme and Crespo as a unit. Germany had looked really dynamic in the World Cup and Pekerman emphasized hard work in mid to shut them down which worked thanks to huge efforts by most of our guys, especially Tevez, Maxi, and Sorin.

 

Yea that's the point I made earlier. Height issues are exaggerated. I am also with you about riquelme but look at the previous games I mentioned. Pekerman was a scared coach he played it too safe, we could have easily went for the kill later in the game with chances falling to Cruz. If he had learned from Mexico game where Messi and aimar scored a wrongly offside goal and changed the whole dynamic.

 

This is wrong. In 1978, Passarella took team PK. In 1986, Maradona didn't take any PK. He missed one in 1990 World Cup though.

 

What is interesting is if we did not beat Bulgaria in our last group match, we would’ve faced France at the R16.

 

I am loving the way this WC is shaping for us.

Before the start, I was very worried due to our unbeaten record. These records are always broken in a tournament and I am glad that this was broken in our group stage match and did not affect the overall outcome of group stage results for us.

The loss in the first game also tested our team mentality from the get go and there is no doubt that the team has shown character to come back stronger from the initial upset. I have no doubt that the circumstances we have been through in the group stage has only made this team even stronger. On the other hand, we are no longer counted as one of the absolute favorites and therefore will be a sort of underdog in most important matches which suits us better.

The winner of a tournament often start slow and pick up at the later stages. This is how it is looking for us at the moment. We are slowly building up momentum, finding right players with good forms, have overcome the mental barrier and are looking in a great shape mentally. On top of that, our way to reach a semifinal looks very achievable. Let's focus and continue working as we have done these last 2 games with our feet firmly on the ground...... who knows, this might be our time finally!!!!!