PBP Match Thread: Argentina vs Croatia, 21 June 2018 [R]

Even the Croatia fans in the stands are like I paid good money to see this?

 

Not even foul

 

Argentina is by far the better team lol.

 

Lol

 

I think international soccer is suffering due to the demands and the changing culture in club soccer. More money in club soccer, longer more demanding seasons, more globalized where national footballing identities fade away. For example Messi is a Barcelona player, not an Argentina player. In mentality, in preparation, in tactics and in technique.

 

Ouch

 

Wake up ref.

 

Thats not foul?
This ref uis mental

 

And a bit of comical refereeing for good measure.

 

The game is slipping out of refs hands

 

It's almost impossible when you're dealing with cynical/embellishing/reckless players.

 

OMG...wide open...

 

3 points!

 

Croatia finally gets a good break away and then a crap shot.

 

Major shortage of composed forwards, despite some wonderful midfielders in world football.

To wit - Ante Rebic just shit himself when Modric fed him a beautiful through ball.

 

Argentina going old school rough Uruguay style.

 

Bad decision by Rebic. A teammate was wide open and he could have passed it.

Overall, better ballhandling by Croatia. This 3-4-3 formation Sampaoli set up has produced some plays by the wings, but the Croatian defense has for the most part not been threatened. Messi non-existent in this first half and the Argentine defense is not looking too trustworthy.

And based on the posts here, while every poster is entitled to his/her opinion, I sense more than a bit of criticism vs. Argentina. And this from a Brazilian.

Oh well.

 

Thus far this cup is known for its: terrible finish, rubbish passes and lousy defending. I really hope the level of play normalizes somewhat in the knock-out stages.

This match is so far more a wrestling match than a football match.

 

You could also argue that the modern top club teams are so good and have so few weaknesses that international football in comparison just looks poor

 

Croatia is going to strike in a counter against the run of play. Seems to be the motif this WC.

 

I don't think it was a coincidence Croatia scored off of a deflection and a penalty.

 

My god... This one half would make for a great video of gaffes with the Benny Hill music in the background.

 

or the Mortal Kombat theme considering the many dirty fouls.

 

40 weeks vs 8 weeks together. Champion’s league has replaced the World Cup as the highest level of play.

Even though it’s totally apples and oranges, World Cup is still the most prestigious tournament.