Argentina vs Croatia - Match Thread (21st June, 7pm)

[Finnegan]

1 minute ago, lestajigs said:

It’s like international football brings the worste out of the players ?

 

We live in an era currently of defensive football. 

 

Every team wants to be well drilled, organised, hard to beat, counter attack a bit, take few risks. 

 

We can't bemoan it too much, we're one of the teams that showed everyone it can work. 

[davieG]

I don't think that was a foul both players were flying at it and off the ground just because someone got injured doesn't mean the other player is guilty.

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Come on Croatia ??????

[Vacamion]

 

That was proper naughty.

 

 

[The Doctor]

Are commentators and pundits just going to make snarky comments about because they don't agree with a decision?

[Turbogre]

That's a red card.

[Arriba Los Zorros]

lawro is such a sarcastic negative bellend. What is his problem. Talk about bringing people down with your own miserable attitude and horrible nasal voice

[breadandcheese]

There's a reason Argentina sneaked through world cup qualifying by the skin of their teeth. An absolutely average team without a cohesive system. It's a shame for Messi.

[The Doctor]

Got him with studs with both feet. Nasty

[Finnegan]

Messi needs to stop strolling around and actually go looking for the ball tbh. 

 

I understand why Ronaldo is evolving his game as his pace is leaving him, becoming more of a penalty box striker. Fair play, he's a big guy, good finisher, good in the air. 

 

But it's an utter waste for Messi to try and do the same. Forget your goalscoring records, you've not got anything to prove anymore, you're a playmaker. 

 

He's always been more creative, more of an attacking midfielder than Ronaldo. If he wants to win a world cup, his way of carrying his team is going to be getting on the ball and pulling the strings. Ronaldo can do it by popping up with goals, Messi is the conductor, he needs to conduct. 

 

They're aimless if he doesn't. 

[Milo]

Maybe Messi is only good in Spain??

 

just a thought

[Brooksy]

What the **** was that

[oxtonfox]

This is a brute of a game. two classy teams but it’s stop start with niggly challenges, spoiling tactics mainly by Croatia. 

I got a feeling it will be 1 goal but I am  not sure to who... 

[The Doctor]

Just now, Milo said:

Maybe Messi is only good in Spain??

 

just a thought

Yeah, I mean 4 champions league winners medals with 100 goals in champions league football, getting there in the fewest games in the history of the tournament. Obviously only good in la liga

[Fox92]

What a sexy ball from Modric.

[Carl the Llama]

Just now, The Doctor said:

Yeah, I mean 4 champions league winners medals with 100 goals in champions league football, getting there in the fewest games in the history of the tournament. Obviously only good in la liga

Your stats don't appear to back up your point. 

[Detroit Blues]

South American teams are not really doing themselves any favors in Russia.

 

Argentina currently on pace to draw with Croatia and Iceland.

Brazil looked mediocre in their draw with Switzerland.

Peru eliminated already with loses to France and Denmark.

Colombia lost to Japan (though hard to judge them with 10 men).

Uruguay defensively solid, but only two goals against Egypt/Saudi's.

[breadandcheese]

5 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

Messi needs to stop strolling around and actually go looking for the ball tbh. 

 

I understand why Ronaldo is evolving his game as his pace is leaving him, becoming more of a penalty box striker. Fair play, he's a big guy, good finisher, good in the air. 

 

But it's an utter waste for Messi to try and do the same. Forget your goalscoring records, you've not got anything to prove anymore, you're a playmaker. 

 

He's always been more creative, more of an attacking midfielder than Ronaldo. If he wants to win a world cup, his way of carrying his team is going to be getting on the ball and pulling the strings. Ronaldo can do it by popping up with goals, Messi is the conductor, he needs to conduct. 

 

They're aimless if he doesn't. 

Whilst you're right that Messi needs to do this, it would make little difference with the current tactics and formation.  A joke of a setup by the coach.

[Vacamion]

 

I missed the first 10.

 

Have been trying to work out which team is the dirty team, or whether it's them both.

 

I think both.

[The Doctor]

Just now, Vacamion said:

 

I missed the first 10.

 

Have been trying to work out which team is the dirty team, or whether it's them both.

 

I think both.

If Argentina are playing, it's them as a basic rule

[Finnegan]

1 minute ago, breadandcheese said:

Whilst you're right that Messi needs to do this, it would make little difference with the current tactics and formation.  A joke of a setup by the coach.

 

I agree. I stand by what I said about Meza even more now. I'd get Dybala on there. Get him and Messi playing close together, keeping the ball, working space with each other and creating chances for Aguero.

[MC Prussian]

How bad are Argentina?

 

Seriously, everything has to go through Messi and when it doesn't, they look half-arsed going forward.

Eliminate the Argentine Wonder Dwarf© and you've neutralized a whole team. And their defense looks more than just suspect.

 

Croatia look much more composed and eager going forward, although in the latter stages, it's become a proper foul fest.

 

When will we finally see Dybala? And Higuain subbed in early?

[Guest the fox]

Ugly football by Argentina!

[Vacamion]

15 minutes ago, Vacamion said:

 

I missed the first 10.

 

Have been trying to work out which team is the dirty team, or whether it's them both.

 

I think both.

 

Correction. Deffo the Argies.

 

Their thuggery is almost balletic.

 

[The Doctor]

great assist caballero