Knockout Stage General Discussion Thread

But England have been similar.

 

I think England are probably just a little bit better but can go either way I guess.

 

Argentina keeps the flame of the Americas going and ensures an all-champion final four.

 

No new champs. Someone is adding another star.

 

If Argentina plays the way they have been playing the entire knockout stage, they will lose to England.

Argentina has to play a much better game and hope England is off.

 

Yeah, Spain are the only semifinalists that have already played a top team.

 

Norway and Morocco are easily better than Switzerland.

Especially a 10 man Switzerland without their 2 best attackers.

I'd also say beating Mexico at altitude is a tougher match than Switzerland.

 

I think I would like to see the Euro Champs vs. Copa America champs which I do not think has happened before.

But any Combo would be enjoyable. France - England probably the most entertaining due to media.
Spain - England a rematch of the Euro.
France - Argentina a rematch of the last World Cup Final.

 

Probably. But a stretch to call Norway a top team. And both games took extra time. Its not like England cruised today. Relied on a mistake also.

 

Sigh. A repeat of 2014 against Argentina. Extra time again.

Unfortunately, we did it to ourselves. That red card proved decisive…

 

Argentina’s best shot may be trying to take it to penalties. England still may have some psychological difficulties when it comes to spot kicks while Dibu always seems to psyche players out.

 

Telemundo is already saying it is the best World Cup of all time.

Hard to argue against it.

 

Weird timing considering the quarterfinals were much better in Qatar.

 

If England can't win it in its own colony / best friend's country. They'll have to wait another 12 years to win it in the USA again. They're the only previous winner (besides Uruguay) to not win it in the last 24 years (since 2002). It's literally their turn. If it skips and the trophy goes to Spain... It will be confirmation England is a FIFA outsider. They even got a German coach lol.

That being said

The two best teams are Spain and France. They deserved every win. While VAR or the selective use of VAR has helped England and Argentina to their semifinal appearances.

Any of the four can win it. In the end, despite all the controversies, this is the four we wanted to see. Let's be honest

Did you really want

Morocco vs Belgium and Norway vs Switzerland?

Ratings would of tanked. They did what they had to do to give us the matches the sponsors wanted, the TV companies wanted, and in the end what we subconsciously wanted lol.

 

For me, the semifinals will be a lot more interesting than the final itself. I have already decided that whoever ends up winning the trophy, the best team in this tournament is France with Spain the only other side that comes close and could deserve the top honor instead. A battle between England and Argentina (which evokes some historical memories to boot) can determine which one can be regarded the third best and fourth best teams in the world.

 

The ref initially gave Argentina a yellow before the VAR

 

Playing such a big match in Miami shouldn't have been allowed. It did give an advantage to the better bench but then so too does the modern 5 + 1 substitute allowance. Haaland does not run much compared to many players. He shouldn't have been overly fatigued. He must have injured himself. They surely wouldn't take him off just for tiredness? He only needs a moment to effect a game and he is also their talisman.

Norway are a very good team.

 

It's the best World Cup ever. Until the next one.

People live in the moment...

 

Switzerland has now reached the quarterfinals in three of the last four major tournaments:

2020 Euro - Lost to Spain in penalty kicks

2024 Euro - Lost to England in penalty kicks

2026 World Cup - Lost to Argentina in extra time

That is not a bad record. Only Portugal gave us a decisive beating in the 2022 R16.

 

I consider Switzerland as Outsiders+ now.

 

Switzerland was good that they made it as far