2022 FIFA World Cup

by Duty281 Mon 07 Nov 2022, 2:35 pm

First topic message reminder :

The strangest World Cup of them all will begin in Qatar in just a couple of weeks. The first World Cup (and surely not the last!) to be held in Arabia; the first World Cup not to take place in May, June or July; only the second World Cup to be hosted in Asia; and the last World Cup to be played with the 32-team format, as from 2026 the tournament will expand to 48 teams.

Free-scoring Brazil are, as usual, the bookmakers' favourites for the World Cup. It's been quite a barren run for the five-time winners - 20 years since they last won the tournament, and they've only made it past the quarter-finals once in the last four iterations. They were runners-up in last year's Copa America, but have since gone on an unbeaten run which has seen them cruise through qualification.

Argentina, the Copa America champions, are installed as the second favourites, in what will surely be Messi's last chance of World Cup glory. The Argentines are on a very long unbeaten run, having not experienced defeat in any fixture for over three years. Will Messi finally emulate Maradona and lead his side to their first World Cup in 36 years? Uruguay and Ecuador are the only other South American entrants; Colombia and Chile have missed out.

Turning to Europe, France are defending their second World Cup crown - they will be hoping it will go better than their first defence when they were dispatched in the group stage in 2002. On paper they still retain a strong side; in reality they're on a poor run of form, having been knocked out of the last Euros in the Last 16, and some key players will miss the World Cup through injury.

Europe, of course, has a wide range of potential winners extending beyond France. England, with an array of exciting attacking talent, will try to end all those years of hurt and misery, having come so close last year to breaking the duck. But they have also struggled in recent times, with Southgate struggling to get the best out of his creative talents. Germany and Spain both won the World Cup in the last decade, and are hoping to bounce back from disappointments in 2018. Belgium's golden generation has one last chance to deliver, as does Ronaldo for Portugal. The Dutch and the Danes will remain optimistic, and Wales are in it for the first time since 1958.

Or, perchance, for the very first time a winner outside of Europe and South America? African champions Senegal are likely leading this charge, with Mane and Koulibaly at the heart of their side, although no African nation has ever made the semi-finals of this competition. The North Americans are well represented with all three host nations of 2026 - Canada, USA and Mexico - and Costa Rica making an appearance, although you'll have to go back to 1930 for the last, and only, time a North American team made the semi-final stage.

Oceania have zero representation - unless you count Australia, but in footballing terms Australia are as Asian as Israel are European - and haven't done so since New Zealand's unbeaten run in 2010. The Asian continent hasn't done anything of note since South Korea in 2002, and their best hope this year probably comes from the South Koreans or Japanese, although hosts Qatar will be hoping to navigate themselves through a tricky group.

Um...come on, England?

Odds on the outright winners:

Odds on Golden Boot:

World Cup Schedule:

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:17 am

Wow! The World Cup is alive.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:17 am

Goal of the tournament contender that

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:21 am

What a tackle on Messi

by alfie Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:22 am

Hallo hallo...what's going on here , eh ? Forgot this was on so early tonight and arrived to see the pre-tournament second favourites (is that right ? ) going 2-1 down to the Saudis ! Did not expect this...

Way to go , of course. But at least a chance of a real upset early in the competition . Good thing the cricket finished nice and early Smile

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:23 am

But early to start throwing all the forwards on, Argentina look rattled

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:26 am

alfie wrote:Hallo hallo...what's going on here , eh ? Forgot this was on so early tonight and arrived to see the pre-tournament second favourites (is that right ? ) going 2-1 down to the Saudis ! Did not expect this...

Way to go , of course. But at least a chance of a real upset early in the competition . Good thing the cricket finished nice and early

Yes, against the 2000/1 32nd favourites!

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:27 am

Did the defender deflect that back into the keeper? Phenomenal reaction save

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:29 am

Urgency is kinda giving way to panic. Still 25 minutes and the usual 10 extra to go

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:34 am

Might be beating the 14 minutes from yesterday at this rate

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:50 am

This world cup is a huge endorsement for stopping the clock when the ball is out of play

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:50 am

Think it could actually be 20!

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:53 am

Top level **** housing in this game

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:54 am

8 minutes?

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:55 am

Not entirely sure why the ref didn't blow for that challenge on the keeper, clear foul

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:59 am

Ouch that one hurt

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 11:59 am

Appalling that the referee didn't blow up right away for that head knock.

by alfie Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:01 pm

Thrills and spills...this WC seems to be proving quite physical for goalkeepers in these early games...

Saudis understandably looking to waste time now but with the New Increased Added Time system in operation they'll still be playing another five minutes anyway.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:03 pm

Send the keeper up!

by dummy_half Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:05 pm

Duty281 wrote:Appalling that the referee didn't blow up right away for that head knock.

Football really needs to take a lesson from rugby with regards to how seriously they take head injuries. As an absolute minimum, temporary concussion substitutes have to be introduced, so a player can be removed and assessed.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:05 pm

Think concussion subs are in now

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:08 pm

Wow wow wow. Lift off for this world cup. Biggest shock since Senegal France in 02?

by dummy_half Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:09 pm

GSC wrote:Think concussion subs are in now

My understanding, from the England game, was that the only thing was concussion substitutes don't count against the number of subs allowed, and that the opposition also get an extra replacement. Not a temporary sub to give time for medical assessment.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:10 pm

Ah see what you mean.

by alfie Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:10 pm

And there it is...after that remarkably generous addition of injury time the Big Upset is sealed...

Presume Argentina will regroup ; but the Saudis can celebrate tonight ! Must be the Desert Air advantage ?

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:13 pm

Yep, the biggest shock since Senegal beat France in 2002. And Saudi lost 8-0 at that competition to Germany! Might even be a bigger upset than that. USA beating England in 1950? 2,000/1 tournament outsiders downing the South American champions. Astonishing. And they did it from one down.

Full credit to the Saudi manager. A very brave high line, which hardly any teams would have dared to do so, suffocated the Argentines and disrupted their rhythm. The Saudi keeper was inspired. And in attack...well, they only attacked for a few minutes! Three shots, two goals, one blocked. They were outstanding finishes.

Argentina were clunky. Messi and Di Maria ineffectual. The VAR call that chalked off the 2-0 proving vital. Clear weaknesses in central defence. Doesn't mean they won't win the tournament - Spain lost in 2010 in the groups - but it looks significantly less likely now.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:17 pm

Think Argentina just lost it too early. Started throwing forwards on with half an hour to go and didn't really have any shape. Only Messi trying to pick passes through the Saudi backline.

Doesn't have to be terminal as with that Spain defeat but this was a pretty dismal showing

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:28 pm

Would agree with that. They lost composure and panicked. Think the World Cup needed a result like that as the tournament now feels alive. Also blows what I, and probably many others, thought was quite a narrow group wide open with Mexico v Poland to come later.

Also overjoyed that 88,000 watched it in the stadium, not letting a mere 80,000 capacity put them off.

Time for the Danes. Excellent to see Eriksen starting.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:47 pm

Person counting attendances must also do the added time

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 12:59 pm

Hope he's not counting the points, otherwise Qatar will end up with 9!

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 1:20 pm

Tunisia have come out punching, Denmark a bit shellshocked by this tempo and atmosphere

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 1:24 pm

Linesman waiting 10 seconds to award offside

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 1:44 pm

Wouldn't have counted but Schmeichel had to make a big save one on one

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 1:55 pm

Bit like an FA Cup tie. Tunisia right in the faces of Denmark early on, backed up by a vociferous atmosphere, before the energy levels dropped and they steadily retreated.

Denmark have looked dangerous when they break quick, but when Tunisia have men behind the ball the tempo has been too low to trouble the North Africans. Interesting that Denmark decided to put on an extra attacker when Delaney went off. Hojbjerg has done his job brilliantly, and Kasper's non-save was extraordinary. I feel they should try and get Maehle on the ball more. Set-pieces have looked quite promising.

Laidouni is leading the defensive effort for Tunisia with some immensely physical tackles. Tunisia's 7 - Msakini - looks the most likely to provide a telling pass.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 1:59 pm

Not sure Tunisia can keep it up but they're entertaining. Denmark can't really work the final ball so far. Dolberg looks a handful but hasn't been near the Tunisia goal yet

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:06 pm

Apparently Drager plays for Forest. Not sure he ever has

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:16 pm

The whole don't flag for someone who is 2 yards offside thing is very stupid

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:30 pm

Decent effort from Eriksen though didn't really put it far enough from the keeper

Denmark then can't bundle in the corner!

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:31 pm

Cornelius may never get an easier chance

Optimistic handball appeal from Tunisia

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:45 pm

Vincent Jansson and Cornelius representing pretty pants PL strikers I'm surprised I remember

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:56 pm

Think that's the right call by the ref. Deflects into him at close range, arm is in front of his chest. Would've been very soft imo.

Hartson complaining that VAR got it right twice today...

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 2:59 pm

Decent 0-0, fun contrast of styles. Denmark had the better chances but Tunisia decent value for a point I think

by Lowlandbrit Tue 22 Nov 2022, 3:02 pm

GSC wrote:The whole don't flag for someone who is 2 yards offside thing is very stupid

The general idea is fine, but they should have told refs to wait to blow the whistle instead of having the assistant wait to put the flag up.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 3:03 pm

When it's a close call sure. When the official is next to it and the player is miles offside just flag it.

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 3:04 pm

It was a handball from the Tunisian player, but the referee ruled that a push by Jensen just before it should be a FK for Tunisia. Very minor stuff, I think the Danes can feel aggrieved on that score, but I do think Denmark were lucky not to concede a penalty at the other end. I wouldn't like that to be a penalty, but it looked like one under the recent interpretations.

Denmark didn't deserve to win, they were incredibly poor. Tunisia sat in and Denmark couldn't move the ball at pace. So much sideways and backwards stuff. You saw with England yesterday there were so many players wanting to make a run, try a killer pass or have an attempt at goal. None of that with Denmark today. Their players were safety-first, didn't have their heads up and very ponderous, with the exception of Damsgaard. Eriksen was played too deep in the second half. It works for United because they have other creative talents, Denmark don't. But Cornelius should have still got the winner. Inexplicable that he didn't use that thing at the end of his leg to tap the ball home, instead using his head and fudged it. Two points dropped.

Tunisia will be very pleased with their organisation and the point they've got. They didn't do much but got what they came for. If they beat the Australians they'll have four points and be right in the qualification mix.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 4:49 pm

Mexico look pretty good, not sure Lewandowski has touched the ball

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 5:58 pm

That was the worst game so far.

Poland, absolutely zero ambition and low attacking effort. I wonder how Lewandowski feels playing for his country? Quite a step down from the club game. The penalty was a good use of VAR, and poor for the referee to miss it in real time, but it was a measure of justice that Lewandowski fluffed it as Poland didn't deserve the three points. Guessing they want two draws and to beat the Saudis to get through.

Mexico had a bit more about them, but they seemed happy with the point as well. Very tidy side, good in the wide areas, though no real urgency and a lack of a quality, fit striker. If only Lewandowski were Mexican...

The group is upside down because of Argentina's earlier defeat, so it's all up in the air. Argentina-Mexico on Saturday, that could be feisty.

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 5:58 pm

Bit of a snooze in that second half. Thought both might be a bit more aggressive given the earlier result

by Duty281 Tue 22 Nov 2022, 7:00 pm

The gulf between these two looks gargantuan on paper. Good luck to Australia.

by **Pal Joey** Tue 22 Nov 2022, 7:10 pm

Duty281 wrote:The gulf between these two looks gargantuan on paper. Good luck to Australia.

Thanks Duty.

Hopefully it's not a complete blow-out. Sharjah seems a million miles from Doha.... oh wait

by GSC Tue 22 Nov 2022, 7:11 pm

Great ball, great finish, another upset?

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