Knockout Stage General Discussion Thread

Last man back foul not even going to VAR? Yet Egypt foul from 15 seconds prior on other end of pitch called to VAR only due to/after they scored.

 

I am not sure about this. In fact vini jr is perfect hybrid of old school Brazillian and modern player. I think they need more players like vini jr. That old era is unfortunately gone. Nobody dribbles anymore. There is no time for it. It is not so much that Brazil regressed, it is that other teams advanced. Brazil is not bad, they are just not at the same level of the likes of France.

 

When was there a last man back foul in this match?

 

Congrats to England. Two Semis in three World Cups is nothing to sneeze at.

I still have not seen anything from them that confirms that they can beat France or Spain though but hey, they just have to keep on believing they can and keep on playing their style of game.

 

I know England don't look like world champions at the moment but one has to consider the conditions today which were extremely difficult.

 

They can grind it out via penalties against Spain. But France will be tough to not lose to. Again, slim chance but I am actually hoping for Spain vs England final.

 

I can see how blending old school technique with a modern approach could help put Brazil back on the right track.

And you're right. Whenever legacy nations like Brazil, Germany, and Italy are at a low point, the narrative tends to be how they've regressed as opposed to how other nations have improved. It's a bit of both. The game works in cycles. No team stays on top forever. It's good to stay humble and enjoy the ride while it lasts.

 

They can definitely beat Spain. France probably not.

 

For both teams.

 

All-champion final four still possible (only happened before in 1970 and 1990). Otherwise, an all-UEFA semifinals for the sixth time in history (previously happened in 1934, 1966, 1982, 2006, and 2018).

 

Nice stats

 

The heat negatively impacted Norway more, I think. Haaland had to come off pretty much solely due to the heat, unless I missed an injury somewhere.

Never should have had a 5pm kickoff in MIA.

 

People will whine again, but that was the most obvious 2nd yellow ever.

 

It was a clear dive.

Do you think the refs would have done the same if it was Argentina diving ?

 

If the referee was soft on Argentina and hadn't given the card then VAR would have had no power to intervene.

 

AFAIK, the play is only reviewable because the ref gave Argentina an undeserved yellow in the first place.

So, your question is, would the ref give Argentina a yellow for doing something stupid that deserved a yellow?

 

All I'm saying is that throughout this tournament the refs and VAR have decided "randomly" when to apply the rules and when not to.

 

Did they play a rugby union match in the rain on this pitch last night?

 

Maybe, but they would probably be chasing the ball all day. Hard to win without the ball.

 

GOLAZO.

 

Goal reminded me of Messi against Iran in 2014. Just from the other side.

Semifinal of England and Argentina will be a pretty interesting game. Argentina can score on England but Argentina's defense is also susceptible. It will be a contrast of styles.

 

That is game. 3-1.

 

I think England will beat Argentina easily.

TBH Argentina hasn't faced a top side yet, and they've struggled in every knockout match.

 

They got Messi. They got all the bandwagon fans. They will have a chance. But England is better.