FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Knockout Phase

[Baphomet]

The whole Messi vs Ronaldo stuff on Twitter is just cringe. Even from that @Troll_Fotballl who looks like a Messi fanboy.

Considering how long these two players been in the sport, I'd have to assume most of the fanboys are grown men now lol

I have nothing wrong against the debates, but the fanboyism and hating is on another level.

This might come off as fanboyism to some... I don't think CR7 is the GOAT. But I still respect his game and feel blessed I got to witness one of the greats.

Too many people taking joy in his pain. What I saw is one of the greats get emotional after a tough year (professionally and personal/family stuff), and then realizing this was probably the last time he plays for Portugal in a meaningful game.

I get emotional leaving a job I hate because I've grown attached to some of the people lol. I can't imagine the feels of knowing it's the last time you are representing your flag.

Good post, I was critical of the whole Piers Morgan Man United interview situation, but I don't enjoy seeing it end like this for him. I will be sad to see him and Messi retire, but I definitely won't miss the ridiculous narratives trying to bring one or the other down.

At the same time, I won't miss everything being about them in the eyes of the fans and media.

[sjballer03]

If Brazil had won the shootout the (generally considered, not necessarily for this WC) best player on each of the semifinalists would have been from the Qatar-owned team.

I sometimes cringe at how simple so many football fans are.

Neymar has been poor during this world cup - he certainly wasn't the best player on the team.
Messi spends most of his time ambling around the pitch, he is a defensive black hole these days - he's definitely not the best player on the team any longer.
MBappe was a ghost and totally outplayed by an aging Kyle Walker - he's far from the best player on the team

Even though I expect Argentina to beat Croatia I have no doubt that Modric (37yo) will be far more influential than Messi (35yo) in the match. Modric is what Messi-fans imagine he is.

Every single one of your posts has been cringe.

[HIF]

If Brazil had won the shootout the (generally considered, not necessarily for this WC) best player on each of the semifinalists would have been from the Qatar-owned team.

I sometimes cringe at how simple so many football fans are.

Neymar has been poor during this world cup - he certainly wasn't the best player on the team.
Messi spends most of his time ambling around the pitch, he is a defensive black hole these days - he's definitely not the best player on the team any longer.
MBappe was a ghost and totally outplayed by an aging Kyle Walker - he's far from the best player on the team

Even though I expect Argentina to beat Croatia I have no doubt that Modric (37yo) will be far more influential than Messi (35yo) in the match. Modric is what Messi-fans imagine he is.

Every single one of your posts has been cringe.

I can't say that I even knew you existed.

[Stannis]

The whole Messi vs Ronaldo stuff on Twitter is just cringe. Even from that @Troll_Fotballl who looks like a Messi fanboy.

Considering how long these two players been in the sport, I'd have to assume most of the fanboys are grown men now lol

I have nothing wrong against the debates, but the fanboyism and hating is on another level.

This might come off as fanboyism to some... I don't think CR7 is the GOAT. But I still respect his game and feel blessed I got to witness one of the greats.

Too many people taking joy in his pain. What I saw is one of the greats get emotional after a tough year (professionally and personal/family stuff), and then realizing this was probably the last time he plays for Portugal in a meaningful game.

I get emotional leaving a job I hate because I've grown attached to some of the people lol. I can't imagine the feels of knowing it's the last time you are representing your flag.

Good post, I was critical of the whole Piers Morgan Man United interview situation, but I don't enjoy seeing it end like this for him. I will be sad to see him and Messi retire, but I definitely won't miss the ridiculous narratives trying to bring one or the other down.

At the same time, I won't miss everything being about them in the eyes of the fans and media.

Yeah, I had to stop watching that Piers Morgan interview about 1/4 in tbh. I didn't really have much interest in it.

I'm just happy I got to see him play. I'm a pretty casual fan, I admit. But on the bright side, that allowed me to ignore most of that Messi vs Ronaldo noise/narratives.

People really suck the joy out of lot of things haha.

I watch some Tennis too. And there's always these Nadal V. Djokovic V. Federer debates. It's like some people can't handle having so many greats in one era.

[Baphomet]

Yeah, I had to stop watching that Piers Morgan interview about 1/4 in tbh. I didn't really have much interest in it.

I'm just happy I got to see him play. I'm a pretty casual fan, I admit. But on the bright side, that allowed me to ignore most of that Messi vs Ronaldo noise/narratives.

People really suck the joy out of lot of things haha.

I watch some Tennis too. And there's always these Nadal V. Djokovic V. Federer debates. It's like some people can't handle having so many greats in one era.

Yeah, I enjoy tennis as well. I agree with the crux of your argument, but at least the debate is vaguely justifiable in an individual sport like tennis where you have easier access to head-to-head records, records on various surfaces, individual titles won, etc. That all goes out of the window in a team sport like football where there are an infinite number of team variables and factors. With that in mind, it's even more ludicrous that some get so hung up on hating or fanboying one and hating the other, in the Messi vs. Ronaldo debates.

OT but, for what it's worth, Federer is the greatest in my eyes. An artist with the racket and consummate professional. But I appreciate Nole and Nadal a great deal and can understand anyone backing them, or the greats before them too.

[Evenacus]

The whole Messi vs Ronaldo stuff on Twitter is just cringe. Even from that @Troll_Fotballl who looks like a Messi fanboy.

Considering how long these two players been in the sport, I'd have to assume most of the fanboys are grown men now lol

I have nothing wrong against the debates, but the fanboyism and hating is on another level.

This might come off as fanboyism to some... I don't think CR7 is the GOAT. But I still respect his game and feel blessed I got to witness one of the greats.

Too many people taking joy in his pain. What I saw is one of the greats get emotional after a tough year (professionally and personal/family stuff), and then realizing this was probably the last time he plays for Portugal in a meaningful game.

I get emotional leaving a job I hate because I've grown attached to some of the people lol. I can't imagine the feels of knowing it's the last time you are representing your flag.

When I look at them both they strike me as egotistical, one moreso then the other. One is solely about his personal achievements and you can see it, while the other is of the same mind but a little less openly petulant when things don't go his way. Both are lousy losers and one of them is a dirty player with a nasty character too.
I personally like Ronaldo more due to him being a product of hard work and a will of steel. Put him in any sistem, any surrounding and he will adapt and shine. Goes to show how far hard work can take you.

[wco81]

Never heard of Messi being dirty.

He doesn't even play defense. Neither does CR7.

Maybe when evaluating GOATs, how well they defend or whether they're willing to defend should be part of the evaluation.

Like NBA stars, you expect them to play some defense, they don't have to be DPOY but they can't only be scorers.

[Sedale Threatt]

If you can produce like Messi and Ronaldo, I couldn't give a sht if they ever set foot in their own half.

[ChumboChappati]

England got 2 penalties from that referee and still complaining? England played better but France defeated them fair and square.

Did you even watch the game? The refereeing was absolutely appalling. Nobody is suggesting that's the only reason England lost the game, but it certainly didn't help their cause.

Argentina vs. Netherlands was also abysmally officiated.

England got 2 penalties from that referee and still complaining? England played better but France defeated them fair and square.

those two penalties were warranted tho, it's not like they were a gift from the ref.

and right before France's first goal Saka was mugged before the counter and was missed (among many missed called by the ref), that changed the trajectory of the entire game.

and this is coming from someone that doesnt have any rooting interest in a France vs. England game.

The referee missed the 2nd penalty but the real issue is that 1 referee is overworked; we expect him to cover the whole football field for 90 minutes which even footballers in best condition would not do. Why FIFA is not using 2 referees; one for each half?
Anyway the referee did go to VAR and accept his mistake and award the penalty to England so good for him.
I did not see any other blatant penalty in the game which the referee missed.

[HIF]

If you can produce like Messi and Ronaldo, I couldn't give a sht if they ever set foot in their own half.

I understand that but it doesn't make them better players than a GK or a CB though. They are very good specialists not greatest of all time players.

[HIF]

England got 2 penalties from that referee and still complaining? England played better but France defeated them fair and square.

Did you even watch the game? The refereeing was absolutely appalling. Nobody is suggesting that's the only reason England lost the game, but it certainly didn't help their cause.

Argentina vs. Netherlands was also abysmally officiated.

England got 2 penalties from that referee and still complaining? England played better but France defeated them fair and square.

those two penalties were warranted tho, it's not like they were a gift from the ref.

and right before France's first goal Saka was mugged before the counter and was missed (among many missed called by the ref), that changed the trajectory of the entire game.

and this is coming from someone that doesnt have any rooting interest in a France vs. England game.

The referee missed the 2nd penalty but the real issue is that 1 referee is overworked; we expect him to cover the whole football field for 90 minutes which even footballers in best condition would not do. Why FIFA is not using 2 referees; one for each half?
Anyway the referee did go to VAR and accept his mistake and award the penalty to England so good for him.
I did not see any other blatant penalty in the game which the referee missed.

[magik9113]

I love both Ronaldo and Messi.
I see nothing wrong with Ronaldo's Piers Morgan interview. This man works his ass off to be the best player he can be. Every one of his teammates on all of his teams have said as much. He felt disrespected by his bosses, and went to give his side of the story after being demonized by the media for over a year.

If you sign Cristiano Ronaldo, you ought not to treat him like he's any old player.
In addition, if you work at a company, you must know your worth. If you feel disrespected or not valued properly by the owners of the company, you may quit your job. If you have a contract, you may still be able to find a way out. On top of that, if every newspaper is **** on you, you may release a statement of your own. That's all that happened there IMO.

[magik9113]

Can't wait for today's game. I have been predicting Argentina win the tournament since before it began, but we're in for a great match. Croatia are a tough team to beat and Modric is MVP of the tournament thus far for me. Still, they may lack that goalscorer up top that they've had in years past.
I have concerns over Argentina's ability to keep their heads after last match. I'm about to bet $ on a Paredes red card...

[ejftw]

The CR7/Messi fanboys are among the funniest to interact with/read the Twitter feeds of, they make stans of NBA players seem like amateurs.

Enjoyed watching both play for the most part, more partial towards CR7, but wouldn't say either of them are the goat.


As far as today's game, definitely rooting for Croatia, them making back to back finals.would.be astounding

[Evenacus]

Can't wait for today's game. I have been predicting Argentina win the tournament since before it began, but we're in for a great match. Croatia are a tough team to beat and Modric is MVP of the tournament thus far for me. Still, they may lack that goalscorer up top that they've had in years past.
I have concerns over Argentina's ability to keep their heads after last match. I'm about to bet $ on a Paredes red card...

In comparison to the Brazil match I am quite confident we can send Argentina home. We already defeated them 4 years ago, even with Messi, so no reason why we shouldn't do it again. You could say that I am carefully optimistic

[CalamityX12]

Semi final action thread here?

Vamos Croatia

[Stannis]

Semi final action thread here?

Vamos Croatia

Yeah, that sounds like good idea. This is over 100 pages now.

There's a new ball for the semis and finale. So it makes sense to have a new thread too

[LordCovington33]

Let’s get the win for Ivana Knoll

[Baphomet]

New thread for semi-finals and final here:

viewtopic.php?f=266&t=2247916

Continue the discussion there. Thanks.

[rocketsfan100]

Argentina V France final will be el fuego

Nope , they gonna get Modrić treatment soon , Croatia vs France final all over again

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