I remember the 2025 CONMEBOL U20 championship. Brazil went from losing 6-0 to Argentina in the opening game to winning the championship. Brazil coach changed the team after that game by including two great midfielders Breno Bidon and Gabriel Moscardo and creating one the great U20 midfields I have ever seen.
It an outdated view the people back home have by thinking just having superior attacking talent can win you world cups, theses days, its further from the truth.
The thing that gets me is it feels like I'm in a time machine every time this discussion comes up. It's not like this is a new phenomenon. We won 1994 on the back of a great defense and midfield (allowing for attackers to thrive, yes, but you need the defense) and people had already been talking about this long before. And if you really want to look back, Brazil had the best defense in 1958 and in 1970 the center forward was always on defense, harassing opposing players and helping win the ball back. It's like Groundhog Day, we somehow have to repeat this every time.
Some of these "journalists" are using A Tragédia do Sarriá for catchy headlines and emotionally stirring texts because they know how this hits a button with many Brazilians. Admittedly, France was playing aggressive and envolvente soccer, and I for one thought it was the strongest contender. From the highlights I saw, Spain's ballhandling was just a thing of beauty.
The two overtimes caught up with Messi, making unusual mistakes and decision making in the last 10 minutes. WIth that being said, this win today has basically confirmed his presence in 2030, win or lose Sunday.
It will be tough vs Spain IMO. Their Tiki - Taka will frustrate the Argies . Spain midfield is better than England.
Yet he is delivering a perfect cross on his weak foot for the winner . Probably his 3rd great cross too .
Who TF knows anymore. Just when I thought I figured out this stupid sport. Cabo Verde for the upset. No. Switzerland gonna score a second, nope. Instead here's a Red Card. England gonna learn to protect a lead, nope. I give up.
Every time they exit the Cup in the last 20+ years, they squarely place the blame on their coach. How about the players take some accountability? How about their media take some accountability for overhyping the players and the team? Until all parties are held accountable, it's going to be difficult for them to win a major trophy.
Tuchel needed firing on the spot and so did Ancelotti....Brazil need to have a Brazilian coach...do not tell me all these years winning with our local coaches we needed to step to this...these guys might be great club coaches but I am not swallowing the koolaid when it comes to World Cup and it is evident....The pain watching teams playing exciting Samba type football and we look so rigid ,it's like everything switched. They are no Midfielders on the Brazilian team better than Gerson of Cruzeiro formerly Flamengo..Danilo does not even start for Flamenco...so many things that do not make sense....I know someone in this forum will say there is no better player pool of talent or coaching in Brazil...I am waiting to hear from you.
The two teams in the final don't play "samba" football. I guess Spain can have some flashes here and there. Out of the last 4 only France played a bit like that. And they got neutralized by Spain. Gerson ? He is another average player. Good on the domestic market. That's about it.
Have you seen Mbappe pathetic attempt's at elastico and pedalada throughout this world cup? He is 70% fast twitch and 30% skill. He is certainly no Messi,and definitely not Samba Football. By 2030 he is going to age like Cristiano Ronaldo around the same age but without the physical frame. France is the new Brazil only in terms of attacking power and hype, not skill.