2022 World Cup... gonna ruin the European Season

[Mr Gogolak]

Which games did the better team lose? Other than last night and possibly the Brazil-Croatia game, I think everyone who is in the semis deserves to be there.

Boooo!

Just kidding, though. I lost interest in the World Cup after 1998. The competition lost its magic once France won it without a proper forward. I used to think you need some world-class players to etch your name in gold. Once I saw Dugarry and Guivarc'h raise the trophy, it never had the same appeal to me.

Still, I'd argue Croatia's midfield gave Brazil's a run for their money. We didn't shoot as much as they did but they've been trigger happy since the beginning of the tournament and their goals/shots ratio was mediocre, even before that game. It's a shame Croatia don't have a proper forward because Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic have been great, so far.

 

[NaijaSpurs]

Hahaha. Well done Morocco.

Amrabat is a good player.

Morocco doing the continent of Africa proud, lovin' it. And as for Amrabat, head and shoulders the best defensive midfielder in the whole competition (in my humble opinion).

 

[Rorschach]

Morocco doing the continent of Africa proud, lovin' it. And as for Amrabat, head and shoulders the best defensive midfielder in the whole competition (in my humble opinion).

I haven't seen him before this match but I was very impressed. Were we ever linked?

 

[NaijaSpurs]

I haven't seen him before this match but I was very impressed. Were we ever linked?

Yes, we were linked last January. The funny thing is that this season he has not been amazing for Fiorentina

 

[NaijaSpurs]

@Rorschach https://football-italia.net/when-tottenham-tried-to-sign-morocco-star-amrabat/

 

[Lilbaz]

Morocco doing the continent of Africa proud, lovin' it. And as for Amrabat, head and shoulders the best defensive midfielder in the whole competition (in my humble opinion).

Better than bentancur?

 

[NaijaSpurs]

Better than bentancur?

In my opinon, yes.

Besides, in this tournament I think Amrabat has played as a typical defensive midfielder while Bentancur more of a box to box player.

I am not however suggesting that I would exchange one for the other.

 

[Rorschach]

In my opinon, yes.

Besides, in this tournament I think Amrabat has played as a typical defensive midfielder while Bentancur more of a box to box player.

I am not however suggesting that I would exchange one for the other.

Would they complement each other? And I don't mean "Hey Rod, you're looking rather spiffy today old bean"."Why thanks Sofyan, you're looking rather beefy yourself, I must say"

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Would they complement each other? And I don't mean "Hey Rod, you're looking rather spiffy today old bean"."Why thanks Sofyan, you're looking rather beefy yourself, I must say"

They could
But it’s hard to know how Amrabat would settle at a new club
He has been outstanding at the World Cup for sure and has really put himself in the window for a big move

 

[NaijaSpurs]

Would they complement each other? And I don't mean "Hey Rod, you're looking rather spiffy today old bean"."Why thanks Sofyan, you're looking rather beefy yourself, I must say"

I think they would, but it really depends on the formation you want to play

 

[NaijaSpurs]

They could
But it’s hard to know how Amrabat would settle at a new club
He has been outstanding at the World Cup for sure and has really put himself in the window for a big move

And I would be concerned about the number of African players in our midfield.

 

[NaijaSpurs]

They could
But it’s hard to know how Amrabat would settle at a new club
He has been outstanding at the World Cup for sure and has really put himself in the window for a big move

I like the player, a lot, but before we consider bringing in another defensive midfielder we should be looking at a right wingback back, a central defender and a creative attacker.

 

[Jurgen the German]

Can anyone give any insight into why Brazil were favourites again for this tournament? They were the favourites 4 years ago also. They’re a good team but the days of them being the best team in the world are long gone. They always lose to European opposition. It must be reputation. Something tells me they will be favourites in 2026 as it is being played in their home continent.

 

[Jurgen the German]

Spain were clearly better than Morocco, same with Portugal, Brazil were better than Croatia, England better than France. And there were several games in the group stage as well were one team was clearly the better footballing team, but either were unlucky or lacking cutting edge. But that's football.

Not sure I agree Spain were “clearly better”. For all of their possession, how many shots did they have? They can be really boring when they pass the ball around with no purpose or ruthlessness.

 

[braineclipse]

Can anyone give any insight into why Brazil were favourites again for this tournament? They were the favourites 4 years ago also. They’re a good team but the days of them being the best team in the world are long gone. They always lose to European opposition. It must be reputation. Something tells me they will be favourites in 2026 as it is being played in their home continent.

They had on paper a great team. Along with France one of the teams with top players in almost every position.

Think injuries played a part. Heard that Richarlison was carrying an injury against Croatia, so was Neymar. With Jesus out they lacked that option. Injuries at full back as well.

I think it was fair to count them among the favourites for this tournament. More so than at times in the past.

I don't think many had Croatia or Marocco as favourites, but they're good teams. In a one off knockout game the favourites don't always win, doesn't mean they shouldn't have been one of the favourites.

I think any of the teams that should be seen as one of the favourites could easily lose against both Croatia and Marocco. Slightly off day under pressure, couple of injuries, bit of luck kicking in.

 

[Jurgen the German]

They had on paper a great team. Along with France one of the teams with top players in almost every position.

Think injuries played a part. Heard that Richarlison was carrying an injury against Croatia, so was Neymar. With Jesus out they lacked that option. Injuries at full back as well.

I think it was fair to count them among the favourites for this tournament. More so than at times in the past.

I don't think many had Croatia or Marocco as favourites, but they're good teams. In a one off knockout game the favourites don't always win, doesn't mean they shouldn't have been one of the favourites.

I think any of the teams that should be seen as one of the favourites could easily lose against both Croatia and Marocco. Slightly off day under pressure, couple of injuries, bit of luck kicking in.

I think 3rd/4th favourites would have been about right. France are still the team to beat IMO even though we outplayed them. I’d have had Argentina 2nd favourite personally given their Copa America triumph. Not littered with class players but they are very hard to beat. Brazil don’t have a world class striker. Admittedly I was surprised they lost to Croatia, didn’t see that coming. I just think Europe is way head of South America at the moment and we have dominated the last four world cups.

 

[Gazza Dazzla]

I think 3rd/4th favourites would have been about right. France are still the team to beat IMO even though we outplayed them. I’d have had Argentina 2nd favourite personally given their Copa America triumph. Not littered with class players but they are very hard to beat. Brazil don’t have a world class striker. Admittedly I was surprised they lost to Croatia, didn’t see that coming. I just think Europe is way head of South America at the moment and we have dominated the last four world cups.

What world class striker do Argentina have to put them above Brazil for you?

 

[Jurgen the German]

What world class striker do Argentina have to put them above Brazil for you?

Messi for one, although he’s not a typical striker he scores more goals than most strikers. Martinez IMO is better than any of Brazil’s strikers.

 

[Gazza Dazzla]

Messi for one, although he’s not a typical striker he scores more goals than most strikers. Martinez IMO is better than any of Brazil’s strikers.

I wouldn’t have classed Messi as a striker, but he’s undoubtedly still quality and of course better than anyone else in world football bar Mbappe

 

[Jurgen the German]

I wouldn’t have classed Messi as a striker, but he’s undoubtedly still quality and of course better than anyone else in world football bar Mbappe

I don’t think there are any standout sides in world football at the moment. Certainly not to the level of France 98-2000 or Spain 2008-2012. There are 3-4 teams who are better than everyone else but the smaller nations like Croatia have closed the gap. Realistically, half a dozen teams could have won this tournament if things had fallen in their favour, us included. I’d have said Italy would be a dangerous side if they could actually qualify as they know how to win tournaments. Maybe the bookies couldn’t split the best 3-4 teams so just pick Brazil by default as they’ve won it the most number of times? Certainly don’t think they are the best team in the world, and haven’t been for a long time.