FIFA World Cup 2022

[gunnar hendershow]

It was the tiebreaker in my work pool but none of us had Croatia or Morocco in the match so it served no purpose.

[Matt]

The only purpose that match served is to make me realise that the final is at 3pm tomorrow and not 7pm

[Chris2K]

It's the most pointless game in football. The teams don't care. The fans of the teams don't care. The winner doesn't win anything. Both sets of players put 90 extra minutes on their legs after already playing 5 games in the tournament. 

Hopefully the extra games in 2026 will see it done away with.

[gunnar hendershow]

The last time I remember a 3rd place game even feeling somewhat significant was 2002 since it featured a send-off for the hosts after their magical run.

It needs to go away if only because getting injured in a game even sportsbooks treat as pointless is something that can happen and shouldn't happen.

[Matt]

37 minutes ago, Chris2K said:

It's the most pointless game in football. The teams don't care. The fans of the teams don't care. The winner doesn't win anything. Both sets of players put 90 extra minutes on their legs after already playing 5 games in the tournament. 

Hopefully the extra games in 2026 will see it done away with.

To be fair, it probably would've meant a fair bit to Morocco, as it did to Croatia in 1998. Generally though, yeah, no one cares. If it wasn't for the "same match as the group stage again" fact that's been thrown around, I couldn't have even told you who we lost to in 2018... And I'll be damned if I can remember the score.

[Colly]

It can also sometimes fuck with a top scorer bet...

[Colly]

Works for me. He's been far less negative this tournament and given the Euros are only 18 months away it feels a bit of a no brainer.

 

[Baddar]

2 hours ago, Colly said:

It can also sometimes fuck with a top scorer bet...

I know it's known as the "Bronze" match but it feels so meaningless. At least in the Olympics when you're playing for medals in the table, it holds a little bit of weight, but it's not a game many would relish playing in.

Really hoping for a good final this afternoon above anything else. Hope Argentina win it for Messi, but I'd take an entertaining game with any outcome over that.

[Dang117]

I'm not a fan off the forced narrative that a player had to win a world cup to be considered an all time great player

[Bobfoc]

22 minutes ago, Dang117 said:

I'm not a fan off the forced narrative that a player had to win a world cup to be considered an all time great player

It's something I've never agreed with. Cruyff, Eusebio and Puskas don't seem to have forfeited their reputations by not winning the World Cup. Players like Di Stefano, Best and Weah never even played in a World Cup, but they've always been well regarded.

[Matt]

A truly momentous day for farmers worldwide

[Colly]

15 minutes ago, Bobfoc said:

It's something I've never agreed with. Cruyff, Eusebio and Puskas don't seem to have forfeited their reputations by not winning the World Cup. Players like Di Stefano, Best and Weah never even played in a World Cup, but they've always been well regarded.

True, but it absolutely cemented Pele and Maradona as "the best ever".

[Chris2K]

Di Maria showing his right foot is as useful as ever.

[TheGrandAvatar]

Forgot it was a 3pm kick off and presumed it was 7pm. Even though someone mentioned it in here last night. Not missed much luckily. 

[Chris2K]

Who else but Quagmire Messi?

[Bobfoc]

He's scored in every round now.

[Pogue Mahone]

Lloris dives the right way Jenas would be calling that an awful penalty.

[gunnar hendershow]

It was maybe a bit soft of a foul but it's always going to be a PK. Can't put yourself in that situation if you're France basically.

[TheGrandAvatar]

It was always going to be Messi.

[Twist]

I think banning a stuttered run up to penalties needs to be seriously considered. It so significantly disadvantages the goalie.

Also never a penalty. There’s no contact until Di Maria has already thrown himself from his feet.