Yes and no. If you mean the 10 is in the DNA, yes. The rough stuff and competitive drive, yes. But the extent to which either the sublime or the seedy take precedence is always a tension in Argentine football. I just think we went way too far this time. That's the core of my disappointment. For...

Let's not forget awarding it to Russia as well.

I don't wanna be an all whinge, no solutions guy. So, on top of those KPI's maybe there's a need for something more qualitative. Like, improvements on our performance according to FIFA's technical rankings or fan engagement and satisfaction.

Top 25 and ongoing qualification is the KPI according to the FFA. I agree on the point, Decentric, that it flatters us. But as a metric, the FFA will be happy. The question is, should they be? Bonuses will be paid and the Board can hide behind the KPI but the game is still a rabble and our...

It's definitely coming. Messi has to retire at any minute. His ghost will haunt the shirt for a long time, for good and bad. What I mean by contempt for the Albiceleste is from outside. The shirt will always be adored by Argentines, but they are also deeply sensitive to how they are perceived...

I've had 24+ hours to digest and I can still only say that this was shameful. It hurts but in the end the better team won. Spain was very, very clearly the better team. The way Argentina played was just shameful. I'm ok with a level of shithousery, but this crossed a line and I feel it will do...

100% And I'm also 100% that Barco was being a shit and got the better of Bellingham who then crossed a line. But in the grand scheme of things it was handbags. Outrage bait in slow-motion like everything else. I don't condone it but at the very least they are old enough and ugly enough to give...

Well, the paragon of virtue was obviously goaded into violence (allegedly, the footage is not forthcoming) by an impudent and fiendish ghostly redhead half his size. So he did what all defenders of truth and justice do, distributed justice via a slap upside his enormous ranga noggin. There was...

I think they started to hit the mark over the course of the episodes, but it was rough going early on.

Most Argentines would probably fear individuals like Mbappe, Kane or Haaland and accept that they could and probably would do us some damage. But they would always fancy their chances as a team against France, England or Denmark. Spain is a different kettle of fish. They would fear and respect...

Sorry, I added to my previous post. I think what I meant that Argentina's football and fan culture is also a projection of insecurity.

The projection of insecurity. That's a great way of putting it. I know a lot of people perceive Argentine fans as being arrogant. There's some of that but from an insider's perspective, it's more like an uninhibited joy that comes from sharing, as the 12th man, a cultural identity defined on the...

I'll try to explain where I'm coming from, and I'll start by acknowledging something up front: Argentina have long played football in a way that genuinely rubs some people the wrong way. That's a legitimate reaction, and I'll come back to why that style developed a little later. That said, I...

I didn't argue the islands were Argentinian. I argued the whole argument is pointless and toxic. I would also argue that colonisation is not a legitimate claim to peoples or territories.

....Or John Stones - who was flapping around feigning a head clash after a good clearing header without another player within a meter of him. Ultimately a futile attempt to catch some breaths after waves of attack. They all engage in shithousery.

This is my take from another thread, and yes, pointless - The Falklands have been claimed and/or inhabited by a number of people including pre-colombians, England, Spain, the Netherlands and Argentina. All of those countries up and left the islands at one time or another only to be replaced...

I don't disagree with any of that but it is a bit more complex than it seems. The Falklands have been claimed and/or inhabited by a number of people including pre-colombians, England, Spain, the Netherlands and Argentina. All of those countries up and left the islands at one time or another only...

I don't know if that's a bit harsh. It's true Argentina made attacking substitutions and went for it but to me neither that, nor the defensive subs of Tuchel fully explain the way that game completely flipped. I wonder if England just ran out of legs. Maybe Florida took much more out of them...

Ta. Honestly, I blame social media. My feed is blowing up with slow-mos and selective angles that make England look like they played 90 minutes feigning injury and beating the shit out of Argentina with steel bars and knuckle-dusters. It's almost all 100% complete horseshit.

Maybe not but it was stupid. I don't think anyone in England cares but it's some traumatic populist crap that stirs shit up in Argentina. Even Scaloni did his best to turn the volume down on this stuff pre-game.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/15/in-this-star-powered-world-cup-spain-show-the-value-of-the-collective-and-control Good analysis from Sid Lowe on Spain (and France)

Good question, if he's that shit. Seems a gimme. Delicious

Seriously though, Spain will know exactly what Argentina will bring to the table on Saturday. I fear them more than any team at this tournament so far.

Delicious. This is all I've been hearing all week. I wouldn't swap one Fernandez, Paredes or MacAllister for all three

Yes, England threw it away, Argentina got the calls, Messi and his also men being put to sleep, there for the taking, passionate (not efficient, astute or gifted), lucky to get this far. Give me your tears Ingleses. I don't think it's too much to ask that people acknowledge that Argentina are...

France have one main weapon, which is fine when coming up against less fancied teams. Directness and the pace and power of their front line. Spain pressed in the corners and played the offside to perfection. A French mate told me before the tournament that he wasn't that confident. He said...

I think we've got you beaten there. World champion cryers

No babies will die. This is the best England team I have personally seen. They have a couple of great players and many excellent ones. More importantly though, I'm not seeing the mental fragility or the fractious squad politics of past sides. I don't have the sense that I have had in previous...

One of the examples is this - Just lazy https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/13/world-cup-2026-scouting-report-the-lowdown-on-england-semi-final-opponents-argentina

Obituaries are already being written for Argentina across English language media. Variously Argentina don't run enough, have a dodgy defence, are too old. All passion and flair but no tactical discipline or plan other than "get it to Messi". Mostly second tier players, 'cept for that Alvarez and...

And now we have enshittification.

RE the Embolo sending off - earlier in the match Paredes was yellowed for coming from behind with a sneaky and intentional wack on Embolo's achilles. Then Embolo, I assume in an act of revenge took out Paredes from behind. He was unsubtle, he got caught, he got a yellow. Completely consistent...

More or less agree with that. I don't actually see France as a "creative" team although it is stacked with creative players. So I also see a possible final between the two as a clash between a French side stacked with prodigious talent within a strict tactical framework vs Argentina who's...

Neither. I prefer not to have my brain turned to mush.

I'm a policy and strategy nerd for a living so I took a look at the ONE FOOTBALL STRATEGY 2022-26 this morning. I have no problems with the top-level pillars except that none of them go to how we engage government in this or deal with fragmented and bloated governance, but the ELITE TEAMS &...

France hasn't been tested once the whole World Cup. Just walking it in. Who's going to test them?

This thread is like falling asleep in front of the TV and waking up with Sky News after dark.

Well said. It's not just Scaloniesque (it is) as you say, but written into the DNA of Argentine football when played at its best. Combative, looking to control even when in defence, craft and creativity. The fan atmosphere around the Albiceleste is not just patriotism, it's joy in the embodiment...

You have been crying conspiracy, not inconsistency. And as I said, a debate about how decisions are made and the use of technology is welcome.

I've been frustrated by assessments of Argentina’s centre-back pairing, Romero and Martínez, which often rest on a couple of misconceptions. Martínez is undersized and Romero lacks consistent game time, but neither point makes them a shaky partnership. They play in a very traditional Argentine...

On all three counts the referee and VAR got it right. I don't mind a discussion on whether VAR should be making the decisions it is now making or the damage FIFA has done to people's trust in these things. It's just a shame that all of that has detracted from what was a stunning turnaround and...

Any politician knows there are votes in this. But it will take some really smart work by football stakeholders. It's going to be a tough time for governments of any stripe to invest $2.8B. Believe it or not, the FFA is still on its P's as far as government is concerned stretching way back to...

Sadly for you they come as a job lot ;)

I have no idea what the criteria for WC spots is other than politics. If you divide number of nations by WC wins as a criteria things would look pretty boring. The WC of South America and Western Europe. It's probably fair to say European qualification is the most competitive nation to nation...

I think this is the bit that sticks in the craw for me. There's a level of arrogance there. Firstly, because Popa doesn't think he owes anyone any explanations, not least of which the Australian fans. His glib or non-responses were pretty poor form on questions that are fair game, especially...

I thought I recognised you too. It was the bitterness that gave it away.

Salah played for it, the ball was already behind him. I'm not saying it was the right call, I'm just saying that it is more complicated than it is being made out. He might have got that call had the Egyptian team not been feigning injury and fouls for the entire tournament.

It's a lot more complicated than that so I'm not going to explain the intricacies of colonialism, citizenship and FIFA eligibility rules. I suspect you know all about that because I recall a certain Brazilian Eduardo"vic" who played for Croatia. If you exclude former Yugoslav states, there have...

Statistically, with the exception of the AFC and CONCACAF (who have underperformed), that would be about right if you rolled a dice before the tournament based on qualifications spots - UEFA: 16 spots. CAF: 9. AFC: 8. CONMEBOL: 6. CONCACAF: 6 (including hosts USA, Mexico and Canada).

Look at it with the full context. There were two contacts. The first was when the ball was actually won. The second was the photo in that post. I look at it from the context of whether it would have been a pen on review. It would have been close but I'm not sure. Honestly, I was watching and 10...

Oh, you know, ill-informed reactionary cooker stuff.

A dish best served cold

I thought I really liked this one and picked it up, but I'm not so sure now. Maybe it will grow on me but it just doesn't have the primo feel of older Adidas match jerseys.

I've got the first one but I ain't selling it :LOL: I wore it at the 2005 qualifier against Uruguay in Sydney with my now wife of 20 years. Too much sentimental value.

Yes, both were/are guilty of it. I watched heaps of Poppa and team press-conferences leading up to and through the WC and even the players were largely doing the same thing. It's like they were all briefed on it. Almost without exception, they answered a completely different question to the one...

I'm not an expert but I would have thought that any injury that could be attributed to either heading the ball or head clashes could be significantly reduced with some sort of lightweight headgear? Ala Petr Cech? Not sure the same could be said for the type of high-speed whiplash seen in other...

I miss when FIFA was run by corrupt, paternalistic socialists. Now it's run by corrupt tin-pot oligarchs.

Hot cup of humility at the hydration break

Keep up Barry

wE LoVe IT! woooh

Belgium 3 - 1 Sporting Cringe United Lokomotiv FC

Bang!

No pressure Belgium, but for the love of all that it is good you need to win this.

This is my opinion too. The real issue is the god-awful stench of political interference in the age of the orange pedo. What's left of the sanctity of the game needs to come first.

I agree, but it is one benefit - lifting up the Australian game as a whole. I think the benefits of having someone emotionally invested in the project and familiar with the culture are more important. But at a cost benefit level, did Verbeek or Van Marwijk offer anything more than Postecoglou or...

I like it. Falklands 4.0 - why don't you go and bomb Epstein Island instead?

Which was revenge for the Falklands. Swings and roundabouts.... :LOL: I've been thinking of a tag line in the event of Arg v Eng. FALKLANDS 4.0 - This time it's not as personal as it used to be.

Are you his agent or his girlfriend?

Answering for myself here rather than the OP. I don't think it is so important but I would prefer it. I just think that there are huge benefits in the familiarity and cultural alignment that come with a local, not to mention the exposure and growth for local coaching talent. Guus broke new...

Responding to myself here. There's some irony in this. Argentina also have some of the most average fullbacks at this WC, but they won't be caught out for lack of effort.

That's a big call. Lot's of Brazilian fullbacks who were deeply average have got a free ride. Alvez, Marcelo, Filipe Luiz. That said, loser of the world cup has to go to Neymar. His strongest contributions were a yellow-card and the best party planning service the Brazilian squad has ever been...

I think Poppa has earned a tilt at the Asian Cup. I hope this WC is a stepping stone to something better. That said, what is the point of a lock-out if you can't demonstrate a reliable route to goal? I'm not worried about style at this point, just a viable approach to winning games.

I'm not old enough to remember the Falklands but I do remember a Michael Owen dive in 2002 😡

I would have delighted in those delicious English tears once again, but credit where it's due. That was one of the best English performances we have seen in generations.

Surprise, surprise. English commentators can't differentiate one black player from another.

I've deliberately avoided any commentary on our exit until now. Now that I've processed it all a bit I've landed on a big fat "meh". For weeks before the tournament Poppa's creeping paranoia and stubborn refusal to answer any question in any way that might constitute an answer built a kind of...

Wouldn't Veiga's touch have needed to be intentional for it to be called onside? I think....I don't know. These new technologies are forcing questions about the rule I haven't thought about in years

Not one angle of that non-goal was conclusive. The alternative to the snicko would have been a completely arbitrary decision by the ref or the VAR. Maybe in the good old days, benefit of the doubt would have gone to the attacker. I was pulling for Croatia. It sucks to go out that way but I...

I know, but I'm not here to measure pissing distance. ;)

In principle, perhaps :LOL: and not according to my wife. Notwithstanding personal bias, I'm just not seeing how France and Spain are being consistently picked as favourites without being mentioned in the same breath as Argentina. I think all three will rightly think they have a hand on the...

That's not how it started. There was an initial and very deliberate strategy to replicate a dutch methodology. I'm not suggesting there is a deliberate edict to stifle creativity. I am saying there remains a latent, cultural preference for more tangible and obvious qualities. Those qualities...

I think this is the plan and I think it's also our World Cup strategy. Proof will be in the pudding. Build from a tight tactical framework and try to grow into the tournament. I mean Poppa has said as much consistently. He keeps talking about exposing the players to the problem as the only way...

I stand corrected.

Maybe, and maybe it shows a double standard in the Messi incident, but that wasn't your argument. You were arguing it wasn't a red.

Yeah, but you could interpret the contact as reckless and/or dangerous especially with it's potential to injure. Reds get given all the time that aren't necessarily intentional. Intentional is not a pre-requisite for a red in the rule book.

This whole debate tends to sort of drift to binaries in Australia and very (central and northern) Eurocentric perspectives. We tend to talk as if athleticism, size, aggression and, tactical discipline sit at the opposite end of a spectrum to flair, game IQ, vision etc. But nothing is mutually...

I will say though, Spain are the only European team to win a WC outside of Europe.

Noted.

Spain were almost flawless. Beautiful stuff. But I am enjoying Argentina being completely ignored as if they aren't defending champions and they didn't cruise to the knockouts in 2nd gear.

Not a chance

I'm hoping Ecuador can pull off an upset here. I think they are on the whole a more exciting group of players, but are they the better team?

Forecast said there was a strong chance of ruining various designer hair styles and spray on tans.

And yet, he's the only player in the current squad fitting his profile. Tells you what you need to know about some of our myopic priorities in the youth space.

I get the concern, but the benefits flow both ways. European clubs have scouted and recruited across the globe to their benefit, also. There are also complexities when you consider the impacts of colonisation which still plays a huge role in this, e.g. Morocco is deeply entwined historically...

I'd definitely like to see a bit more hold up play in transition so Yengi would be a pretty good option when flanked by some real pace.

Yes agree. But Spain are exceptional (and portugal to a lesser extent) rather than the rule and they have added the ability to be much more direct since the Tiki-Taka era. They marry both team movement and individual flair in ways that most European sides don't.

Lots of Jewish and middle eastern migration as well. South America is a hugely diverse place and as much as it makes for funny memes it isn't just because of the Nazis. MacAllister's family go way back in football. But you look through lists of internationals - Jose Louise Brown, Julio Asad...

The game is dominated by pace and power. If you look at pretty much all the big European teams at the WC, they primarily rely on movement off the ball and running power and directness to unlock defences. They have flair players of course, but that attribute is not the main route to goals and...

I don't think this tells us a lot. As you say, he's not had a tonne of minutes and he is new to this setup. They obviously saw him as a threat and 3 players squeezing Volpato is at least 2 of them not marking elsewhere. Pretty much all of our incursions, and certainly any that involved more...

Yeah, I saw that stat too and can't find it again. I think it was total shots if you exclude own goals.

There's not much in this really statistically. I guess what these stats don't show is that Egypt conceded a goal in every game of the group stage and they have not come up against a team looking to play the low-block as effectively as Australia has.