|
Arne Slot to follow Koeman. Liverpools would be paying parts of the salary.
I actually think England is gonna win this. So far Tommy Tuchs managed just fine and Argentina plays more than predictable.
Today I just hope for a fast, great game though I think it'll be pretty boring since both will be extremely careful.
France vs England in the finals, France taking the pot
|
We're all agreed that was a penalty, yeah?
|
Does anyone know when offside is called asap and when not? France had like 3 close offside calls and 2 were just given. I thought that is what VAR is for?
|
On July 15 2026 04:27 Jockmcplop wrote: We're all agreed that was a penalty, yeah? Yes. Even though he was clearly challenging to get a penalty and not the ball. Still too clear of a foul.
|
On July 15 2026 04:45 sharkie wrote: Does anyone know when offside is called asap and when not? France had like 3 close offside calls and 2 were just given. I thought that is what VAR is for? They have a semi automated offside system for this tournament so the linesman gets confirmation on their wrist device quickly, no need to wait for VAR to draw lines. I guess they only let it play on if the linesman or ref feel it was too close for comfort
|
Well well well...so spain controlling the ball with enough speed and technique to best france's more physical nature in the mid and back.
I was not expecting France to allow this but so far Spain has been better. Which is good because im in spain for a few days and this means people will be happier this way :D
|
France13011 Posts
Tough match for us, bad start with the penalty then Saliba out. Top 4 is decent, entertaining world
|
On July 15 2026 06:02 Poopi wrote: Tough match for us, bad start with the penalty then Saliba out. Top 4 is decent, entertaining world
I was a bit disappointed France seemed to have given up.
|
What happened to france ?
This world cup is intriguing
|
Norway28875 Posts
Not sure to what degree this was a French implosion or a Spanish master class. Probably a bit of both. France looked like a much, much weaker team than they did the entire tournament- and it highlighted that so far, they've basically been carried by extreme individual performances from their frontline, but without all that much structure to it. Spain dominated the midfield and didn't give the French artists any room to flourish.
At the same time, someone like Olise just had a flat out poor game. There were so many missed passes, and while I'm sure some - or even a lot - of this can be attributed to Spanish players closing down the spaces the French wanted to move in, it also just looked like several French players had shockingly bad individual performances.
Very impressive by Spain. Highlights, again, that we almost never see any single team be truly dominant throughout the entire championship.
|
I won't even pretend to understand this Spain team, half their players are inconsistent at their clubs and some De La Fuente black magic makes them flawlessly choke France. Why is Laporte playing like prime Nesta, I didn't know that was an option
|
I don't think I remember a single one-two or interesting passing combination attempt from France. It seemed all very mechanical with someone holding the ball and then one player making a run to empty space and the obvious pass getting placed there. Usually these were safely somewhere on the side areas and even that rarely ended up in a cross attempt or such.
Maybe they needed someone like Giroud there who wrestles, wins headers and somehow ends up getting involved in a clumsy one-two pass to unlock the defense or so. I'm not sure if anyone in the French team for example likes to play back to the goal.
Spain's 2nd goal came from a full back making a surprising run and combining with Olmo. I can't remember a single creative moment like that from France.
|
On July 15 2026 15:46 Bacillus wrote: I don't think I remember a single one-two or interesting passing combination attempt from France. It seemed all very mechanical with someone holding the ball and then one player making a run to empty space and the obvious pass getting placed there. Usually these were safely somewhere on the side areas and even that rarely ended up in a cross attempt or such.
Maybe they needed someone like Giroud there who wrestles, wins headers and somehow ends up getting involved in a clumsy one-two pass to unlock the defense or so. I'm not sure if anyone in the French team for example likes to play back to the goal.
Spain's 2nd goal came from a full back making a surprising run and combining with Olmo. I can't remember a single creative moment like that from France.
If England can get past Argentina you see that kind of surprise move from them quite often, maybe more by luck than judgement. A long ball that turns out perfect for Saka or Bellingham. Harry Kane shooting from 35 yards all of a sudden.
I think England stand some small chance against Spain if they can get to the final. It would have to be an early goal and then backs to the wall probably. Had it been France I would say no chance.
|
France13011 Posts
The defeat still hurts today, but this shows me how much more important world cup / national football is compared to club football PSG win 2 champions league back to back but I would gladly Trade them for a world cup win Heck I would even Trade 10 champions league for just another world cup victory PSG winning was Nice and cool but it’s « just » club football, even though the level of play is higher, it’s every year and doesn’t matter for as many people as WC, and the stakes aren’t as high
|
There is no event that is "more important" to win than the football world cup yeah
|
Holy moly France got shut down hard. I didn't think that was even possible. Spains midfield and defense moved like one, barely any holes. French players all tried but they did as individuals. Not as a whole. Rodri completely crushed Olises heart and soul.
|
On July 15 2026 17:31 Poopi wrote: The defeat still hurts today, but this shows me how much more important world cup / national football is compared to club football PSG win 2 champions league back to back but I would gladly Trade them for a world cup win Heck I would even Trade 10 champions league for just another world cup victory PSG winning was Nice and cool but it’s « just » club football, even though the level of play is higher, it’s every year and doesn’t matter for as many people as WC, and the stakes aren’t as high
Yes, it was made like this on purpose. Just like the Olympic Games, scarcity creates value, every FIFA World Cup feels special.
Handball and Hockey have twice as many Championships. More content, more to do for the players and more winners, but it comes at a price.
About Spain, they seem to have found a very good combination of players, and they seem to have a good team spirit. That their greatest star is also their youngest player and pretty humble might help as well.
I think there are patterns to how they play going way back in time. They know what is up, and other teams have showed how they can win.
I watched it on Spanish TV, and the confidence of the commentators surprised me.
|
United States10530 Posts
On July 15 2026 11:41 Liquid`Drone wrote: Not sure to what degree this was a French implosion or a Spanish master class. Probably a bit of both. France looked like a much, much weaker team than they did the entire tournament- and it highlighted that so far, they've basically been carried by extreme individual performances from their frontline, but without all that much structure to it. Spain dominated the midfield and didn't give the French artists any room to flourish.
At the same time, someone like Olise just had a flat out poor game. There were so many missed passes, and while I'm sure some - or even a lot - of this can be attributed to Spanish players closing down the spaces the French wanted to move in, it also just looked like several French players had shockingly bad individual performances.
Very impressive by Spain. Highlights, again, that we almost never see any single team be truly dominant throughout the entire championship. Bit of both. France's front 4 are too separated from their back 6. Spain controlled the game as I predicted, just too well rounded as a team while France feels lopsided and sometimes disconnected. Against a top side, you need to have a strong midfield or some well rounded identity if you're looking to make the counter work. France had some moments but even their through balls were cut off time and against from the exceptional work of Spain's midfield. This was always going to be France's weak spot and it was masterfully exploited.
|
Don't think it was a masterclass at all. Spain controlled the game very well but they also created very little. The penalty was a stupid foul from France, there was one other very good attempt with Olmo's backheel, and the second goal.
|
2 minutes of playing and its already set to become a battlefield.
Fuck Argentina.
|
|
|
|
|
|