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FIFA WC 26 - Other Nations LIVE Match Thread ⚽

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. And then the dive with Paredes closing in on him - he gets rewarded with a second yellow.

What really happened here is that Paredes got in Embolo's head. It reminded me of Simeone's job on Beckham in the 98 WC leading to his sending off. Embolo lost control on both counts and Paredes was man of the match in my opinion. Masterful psychologically and tactically.

From there Argentina were happy to take their time even if it went to extra time. They knew the Swiss would run out of legs. They gradually overloaded the attacking line with subs until they cracked. Text-book. They just needed to guard against any counter.

On the subject of Argentinean defensive midfielders and getting sent off I noticed the great Boca and seleccion midfielder Antonio Rattin passed away the other day....

For anyone who might not know Rattin was infamously sent off in the 1966 World Cup Q- F against England while captaining Argentina.

89 yesrs old.– Great innings!
 
On the subject of Argentinean defensive midfielders and getting sent off I noticed the great Boca and seleccion midfielder Antonio Rattin passed away the other day....

For anyone who might not know Rattin was infamously sent off in the 1966 World Cup Q- F against England while captaining Argentina.

89 yesrs old.– Great innings!
Isn't there a player in this world cup with that surname? Interesting if there's a connection.
 
FFS
For the sake of football in this screwed up Infantino shit commercialism of the game please provide us the the replay finale.
One so as one of the best in the game goes back to back and the madness of argy unorthodox football prevails compaired to those entitled bitchs of France.
Feck them viva the revolution one more time !
 
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 "Emi Fernandez" wot played for teams someone 'as actually 'erd of. Paternalistic experts and pundits raised on a one meat diet of EPL as usual feeding us stereotypes and casual racism about "street smarts", as analysis.

A young me full of piss and hubris might be mouthing off about England too - Kane, Bellingham and an anonymous cast of also-ran dim whippets. But I think we are in for a classic. Both teams have shown they are vulnerable. Both have been tested and had to suffer at times. Both have had moments of brilliance. Completely different approaches and mentalities. There will be disappointment but no shame for the losing team.
 
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 "Emi Fernandez" wot played for teams someone 'as actually 'erd of. Paternalistic experts and pundits raised on a one meat diet of EPL as usual feeding us stereotypes and casual racism about "street smarts", as analysis.

A young me full of piss and hubris might be mouthing off about England too - Kane, Bellingham and an anonymous cast of also-ran dim whippets. But I think we are in for a classic. Both teams have shown they are vulnerable. Both have been tested and had to suffer at times. Both have had moments of brilliance. Completely different approaches and mentalities. There will be disappointment but no shame for the losing team.

I think that you're looking at the more second tier "tabloidy" media....

A bit of "cultural gatekeeping" there perhaps...

This morning I've read pieces from The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Athletic and the BBC and none if them are "writing Argentina off"!

Of course some pundits and outlets have been critical, describing Argentina as a team that "leaves things late" and relies heavily on Lionel Messi to "do the heavy lifting," butvthere is also a clear recognition of their resilience. Coverage frequently highlights the grueling nature of their recent knockout pathnotably that 120-minute slogs against Cape Verde and Switzerland—as proof of both their "heart" and their physical vulnerability. But they're critical of England too.


The English-language football media landscape is far more diverse than the "Premier League-only" diet that some people like to think and there is a wealth of rigorous football journalism available if you look past the mainstream "Punditry Industrial Complex."....
 
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 "Emi Fernandez" wot played for teams someone 'as actually 'erd of. Paternalistic experts and pundits raised on a one meat diet of EPL as usual feeding us stereotypes and casual racism about "street smarts", as analysis.

A young me full of piss and hubris might be mouthing off about England too - Kane, Bellingham and an anonymous cast of also-ran dim whippets. But I think we are in for a classic. Both teams have shown they are vulnerable. Both have been tested and had to suffer at times. Both have had moments of brilliance. Completely different approaches and mentalities. There will be disappointment but no shame for the losing team.
Oh there will certainly be shame for the losing team.
 
One of the examples is this - Just lazy


The report you referenced is an analysis piece, not a factual claim about the tournament's outcome.

While you may find its tone reductive, it is a common style of pre-match tactical scouting specifically one tailored for an English audience ahead of a high-stakes semi-final. It's reporting on the challenges they believe England can exploit, which is the standard function of a "scouting report" in sports journalism.

I'll quite often read the French football media and it's also worth noting that they're quite critical of Argentina in a similar sense....

But that might be a touch of bitterness from the racist remarks about the French football team....

The time Frenandez and other players were filmed singing a derogatory song directed at the French national football team. The lyrics mocked French players of African heritage, specifically referencing their ancestral backgrounds while highlighting their French passports...

Proof that these footballing racism narratives are not limited to the English. The scrutiny and criticism of the Argentina national team regarding racism and arrogance have become a truly global phenomenon, manifesting across diverse media landscapes and regions....
 
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I think Argentina are very beatable. However , La Maquina isn't necessarily about being convincing which Argentina haven't been the past few matches however they did win those matches. Will be a very interesting game, contrast of styles.
 
Oh there will certainly be shame for the losing team.
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 meetings that they will just as likely crumble and go on holiday as fight when it gets tough. If they win, they will be worthy of it. It will suck if it happens but it's been a great ride.

Overall, Messi notwithstanding, this is not as good line-up for Argentina as the one England knocked out in 2002.
 
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I think Argentina are very beatable. However , La Maquina isn't necessarily about being convincing which Argentina haven't been the past few matches however they did win those matches. Will be a very interesting game, contrast of styles.


I'd probably give England a 40/60 chance. While both teams have some very good players in this World Cup, the tournament winning mentality that Argentina have in spades means they aren't a team that is chasing history but a team that actually writes it.....

This allows them to approach high-pressure scenarios with a confidence that few, if any other sides in international football can match.
 
I LOVE IT when England goes onto a final with a bit of confidence.
Makes the tears taste that much sweeter... :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

What are you fucken talking about??

We don't cry....

images
 
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