Knockout Stages - Round of 32

[cruzFOX]

Cape Verde got better and better the longer it went. Their passes were short and long but accurate, incisive and players connected and advanced rapidly there was stalling. Argies were really stretched and it was telling they were tiring. I’m bummed it didn’t go to penalties as Cape Verde earned it. What an incredible goal too that tied it. Messi was really really worried for 45 min.

[PhillippaT]

6 hours ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

This is all well and good but doesn't address the point of this tournament being bloated whatsoever. There was no high wire element to any of the group stage because ultimately most sides were aware they could drop points and go through – if you give every side a safety net in the group stage then it becomes a pretty jeopardy-less affair.

 

I would also argue about FIFA's intentions when it comes to make the tournament larger. I highly doubt it's driven by a strong desire to be more inclusive or break any elitist glass ceiling – I don't even think they try to hide their desperate cash grabs any more.

It's possible for multiple things to be true...  That 32 teams isn't enough for the state of World football right now, yet 48 teams isn't perfect can both be true.  An increase to more than 32 can be explained by footballing reasons without any issues - it's the planned increase to 64 that's the real cash grab, even if it has 'tournament' reasons to do so (because of the issues a non ^2 amount has).

 

Having said all that, as a matter of ENTERTAINMENT, I think the 48 team format has proven it's worth over the 32, and that's precisely because the standard of football HAS increased in general, like FIFA want, regardless of perceived 'jeopardy'.  There were still 16 teams that didn't make it to the round of 32 - 1/3 of all teams that entered, so the only reason for complaint is that a lot of these 16 teams weren't quite up to it - but there were still some upsets!  I don't think people realise how bad MOST group stages have really been in previous World Cups!  I also think this additional round of 32 has proven itself worthy, which is what REALLY matters.

 

At the end of the day, most of this griping sounds like people complaining that there's too much football, which merely tells me they CANNOT be true FOOTBALL fans.  (One extra game for players/teams shouldn't be that much of an issue for them, so...)

Edited 1 hour ago by PhillippaT

[Dan]

Cape Verde won their qualifying group. They would've qualified for a 32 team most likely.