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 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 5:00 pm

Well done to Australia. Won two real scraps v Denmark and Tunisia and have gone through in a group when many gave them very little chance. Winners of Group C await, perhaps Argentina?

Denmark, incredibly limp tournament from them, exiting without a win and just one point. Very slow and one-paced in attack throughout, struggled for creativity and goals. Just one goal all tournament.

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 5:02 pm

Oh and France actually lost after VAR took an age to disallow their equaliser. Would have been some drama over that if Australia had drew to Denmark!

by GSC Wed 30 Nov 2022, 5:09 pm

Tunisia leave it late to turn up against a reserve French side. But Denmark didn't turn up at all.

Happy to see Australia through. Too many sides playing not to lose in this tournament and manage their way through the group. They've turned up, tried their best to be positive and will go further than a lot of sides that are more talented

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 5:28 pm

Really not sure how France's goal was chalked off. Griezmann was offside but didn't interfere, then the Tunisian player effected a clearance with his head, a poor one, and Griezmann swept it home.

by Soul Requiem Wed 30 Nov 2022, 5:36 pm

Just by being offside you're interfering with play, a defensive line pushes up to make players offside.

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 5:47 pm

To be classed as interfering with play an attacker has to do something, whether it's playing the ball, challenging for the ball or obstructing an opponent.

by Soul Requiem Wed 30 Nov 2022, 6:04 pm

Duty281 wrote:To be classed as interfering with play an attacker has to do something, whether it's playing the ball, challenging for the ball or obstructing an opponent.

That is one line of the offside law which people get fixated on. His position directly impacts the actions of the defender, without which he would be challenging for the ball. It was offside.

by GSC Wed 30 Nov 2022, 6:06 pm

I guess it's whether the header was considered a deliberate action or closer to a deflection? Given he didn't really seem to be doing more than getting something on it I guess they said it wasn't deliberate

by GSC Wed 30 Nov 2022, 6:13 pm

Tunisia and Denmark join Wales and Qatar in managing to score 1 goal in 3 games

Bit grim

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 6:21 pm

GSC wrote:I guess it's whether the header was considered a deliberate action or closer to a deflection? Given he didn't really seem to be doing more than getting something on it I guess they said it wasn't deliberate

I imagine that must have been it, hence why they called the referee over to judge whether he thought it was deliberate or not.

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 6:23 pm

Saudi v Mexico should be fun, both teams presumably going for the win, as I doubt Saudi will be thinking Poland will beat Argentina. Mexico yet to score a goal at this World Cup, saving them for the last game?

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 6:56 pm

Ben White has left the England squad and returned home for 'personal reasons'.

We can only hope everything turns out OK for him.

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 7:55 pm

0-0 in both at half-time, just like the previous group. Poland and Saudi both holding on, Argentina saw a penalty saved after a very soft decision went in their favour.

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 8:28 pm

2-0 to both Argentina and Mexico...I think Poland are still going through on fair play as things stand?

by westisbest Wed 30 Nov 2022, 9:07 pm

Late goal from Saudi Arabia, makes sure Poland advance.

Delighted for Australia to.

by GSC Wed 30 Nov 2022, 9:09 pm

Don't think it would changed things? Mexico would've been ahead on goals scored but doesn't matter now.

Teams starting the tournament playing not to lose and putting it all on winning goal difference

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 9:10 pm

Poland eventually through on GD, not fair play, after a late Saudi consolation. Mexico deserved winners on the night, including an astonishing free-kick, but somehow couldn't find the third that their play merited. Ends Mexico's long run of getting past the group phase.

Saudi reminded me a bit of Canada v Croatia in that they simply didn't have enough energy to compete well tonight. But it was not taking their chances v Poland that really cost them.

Argentina go through in first, meaning they'll play Australia in the last 16 on Saturday. Winners of that will play Netherlands/USA in the QFs.

Poland take second spot and will take on the French on Sunday. Winners of that get England/Senegal in the QF.

Draw currently looking pretty balanced with Netherlands and Argentina in one half, England and France in another.

Group E and F finish tomorrow and we could see some big names exit. Belgium will probably be exiting unless they can beat Croatia, and if they do beat Croatia it looks likely that the 2018 finalists will be on the way home. In the other group Germany are also out unless they beat Costa Rica, which shouldn't be too arduous but we've already seen a couple of upsets in that group.

by Duty281 Wed 30 Nov 2022, 9:12 pm

GSC wrote:Don't think it would changed things? Mexico would've been ahead on goals scored but doesn't matter now.

Teams starting the tournament playing not to lose and putting it all on winning goal difference

Yeah 3-1 would have been the same for Mexico in terms of progression as 3-0, though the commentator on the BBC didn't seem to be aware.

by alfie Thu 01 Dec 2022, 3:57 am

Good day's work for Australia and Argentina clap

Very lucky and not really earned escape for Poland.

Irrelevant minor blemish for France - though it does perhaps raise a question about their remaining squad depth ?

Disappointing finish for KSA after their dreamlike start. Just plain disappointing for Denmark who hardly fired a shot in three games.

Some sympathy for Tunisia and Mexico ; both of whom might on another day have been rewarded for their strong efforts. Ironic that Tunisia could beat France (a not totally committed France , true - but still France!) and go out due to a defeat by Australia - which was probably not their main fear coming in to the group Smile

Aussie team really deserving of much commendation. Plenty of effort and belief and they've shown that in this game you don't have to have the most skilful or talented team : you just have to score more than the other mob ! Argentina will be a tough opponent now that they have awoken from their early slumbers but hey a round of sixteen spot is the first job done thumbsup

Hard to see Poland troubling France on this display. Defended gamely in the face of waves of Argentine attacks ; but what happened to trying to score yourself ? Felt for Lewandowski who at times appeared to be as isolated from any possible support as if he were on the moon. Really would have served them right if Mexico had managed another score...but I guess they live to fight another day.

The one thing I don't like about these final round games being played concurrently (And yes I realize this is fairer than the alternative) is that for the neutral watcher , the inevitable commentator's information about the state of play in the other match prevents one from streaming it later in ignorance of the result : takes away a bit of the excitement. Can't be helped , I know - suppose one could mute the commentator Smile

Four groups down , four to go... Germans and Belgians in particular will be anxious I think...

by eirebilly_01 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 6:06 am

Wow, massive for the Aussies. Really happy for them. They are just a likeable squad of lads.

As for Poland and Argentina, i am very happy for Poland to get through as i am working here right now but boy, they are a boring team to watch. That said, how disgusting was Messi's dive to win that penalty. It sickens me that players of his quality resort to such antics. I also have no idea how VAR could have even awarded it but I guess it all came down to Messi's reaction...

by eirebilly_01 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 7:54 am

I will add as well that I was watching the Australia game on the red channel and whoever the female commentator was, was simply god awful. Getting players names mixed up, commenting at least 10 seconds behind the play and just would not shut up.

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 8:39 am

Think Germany are probably fine. Beat Costa Rica by 2 or more goals and only a Japan win can knock them off.

Belgium on the brink as Duty says. Fairly deservedly because they're pretty lucky to even have 3 points on the board.

by alfie Thu 01 Dec 2022, 9:07 am

GSC wrote:Think Germany are probably fine. Beat Costa Rica by 2 or more goals and only a Japan win can knock them off.

Belgium on the brink as Duty says. Fairly deservedly because they're pretty lucky to even have 3 points on the board.

You are probably right : but there have been a few surprises already at this WC so am not making any assumptions ! Cue an inspired performance from Costa Rica Smile

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 9:17 am

They are very indebted to Costa Rica beating Japan, otherwise it would be needing Japan to beat Spain and then overturning that 8 goal difference

Spain themselves aren't safe, though it would require a Costa Rica and Japan double to knock them out. Also require a win to be sure of topping the group (albeit group F doesn't look to be providing a stellar opponent either way)

by **Galted** Thu 01 Dec 2022, 9:42 am

eirebilly_01 wrote:I will add as well that I was watching the Australia game on the red channel and whoever the female commentator was, was simply god awful. Getting players names mixed up, commenting at least 10 seconds behind the play and just would not shut up.

I generally find the female commentators worse because I can't ignore them like I can the male commentators. With the men it just becomes background noise but with the women it's like being continually nagged throughout the game. The analysts/sidekicks or whatever you call them (McCoist, Hartson et al) are absolutely woeful, it's like being in the pub with a drunk mate who think's he/she is a comedian and pundit rolled into one and who won't shut up. As for the panel discussions, it's like a whole table of the c*nts next to you in the pub - the saving grace is that half of them can barely speak English so you don't have to listen to the b*llocks they talk, and at least you can mute them.

Watching the rugby on Amazon Prime was great as you could choose the stadium sounds only and not have to put up with the verbal diarrhoea. Could always be that I'm just becoming an insufferable b*stard as I grow older but I think the whole experience would be vastly improved by doing away with all of them. Or at least give the option of watching chatter-free.

by eirebilly_01 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 10:07 am

Could not agree more Galted.

Germany should get through, they should beat Costa Rico quite soundly but I do see Japan picking up a point against Spain...

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 10:56 am

I like Ally McCoist to be fair. Hartson/Jenas/Dublin etc are awful and add no insight. Especially bad when England or Wales are playing and the second comm is basically just providing a fans perspective.

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 11:01 am

I'm also over the Souness/Keane grumpy old man tirades in the studio. Was entertaining the first few times but now it's just tired

by eirebilly_01 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 11:19 am

I can't stand Roy Keane, i switch off every time he is one. I guess i will never forgive him for 2002 Very Happy

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 11:31 am

I'd like to see a shift more towards pundits/comms that try to break down technically what's happening on the pitch in a way that's understandable to the average listener. Too much of it atm is basically the stuff you'd hear in a pub watching a game, or Dion Dublin praising the Qatar ultras imported from somewhere else

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 11:35 am

Uruguay sending Suarez up to face the media before the Ghana game is something.

Wonder what you could get on a red(s) in that game

by eirebilly_01 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 2:38 pm

In my ideal world. Today Croatia will beat Belgium and Canada will beat Morocco with Croatia and Morocco progressing, Canada getting a first win and Belgium limping home Very Happy

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 3:33 pm

The clearest and most obvious offside you'll ever see thanks to the var boys

by Duty281 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 3:39 pm

Just take this VAR nonsense out of the game. I'll happily take the odd error from the officials if it means never having to wait a few minutes just so VAR can rule out a penalty because an attacking player might have been 0.0004 inches offside. If that.

Spoiler:

Not sure what's meant to be offside?

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:01 pm

Croatia not really in a hurry to avoid a probable tie against Spain

by Duty281 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:04 pm

Yeah, winning this group is quite a big prize as it puts the winner into probably the weakest quarter of the draw - the other three teams likely to be Germany, Portugal and Switzerland.

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:15 pm

Croatia starting to wake up a bit. Don't want to hanging on in the last 15

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:21 pm

De Bruyne finally raises himself to set up Carrasco, Lukaku misses an almost open goal!

by Duty281 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:22 pm

Lukaku with a contender for miss of the tournament.

Lukaku with a second contender for miss of the tournament...but the ball had gone so it wouldn't have counted.

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:23 pm

And he misses a completely open goal

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:24 pm

De Bruyne didn't keep it in so wouldn't have stood I think but that's astounding

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:50 pm

Hazard on in a must win game in the 87th minute.

That must sting

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:51 pm

Lukaku has done it again

by Duty281 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:51 pm

Quite something from Lukaku with two more misses! He tries to chest that one in from close-range.

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:52 pm

Someone has to explain to me how Lukaku scored nearly 50 league goals in 2 years for Inter

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:54 pm

Gvardiol with a last ditch tackle to stop Lukaku having another tap in

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 4:56 pm

Croatia through more by luck than judgement. Not that Belgium have deserved to go through either. Morocco deserved winners of this group

by Duty281 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 5:02 pm

Croatia somehow hang on, after an astonishing series of misses from Lukaku.

Belgium's Golden Generation dribbles to a tame end, with just an undeserved win over Canada to show for their efforts in Qatar. A third-place finish in 2018 is the best this lot achieved, despite promising so much.

Haven't been impressed with any team in this group, to be honest. Croatia hung on here, did nothing v Morocco and took advantage of an exhausted Canada to qualify. Morocco have worked hard and been clinical.

Croatia go into the Netherlands/Argentina half of the draw. A probable L16 game against Spain awaits and it'll likely be Brazil in the quarters should they shock Spain, as they nearly did last year.

Morocco go into the England/France half, but they won't have to worry about England/France until the semi-finals, should they get there. They'll probably get a L16 game against Germany, but that's by no means set in stone.

The top half of the draw is going to get pretty congested with quality. The bottom half less so. France and England's potential QF, should both get there, will likely decide one of the World Cup final spots.

by Duty281 Thu 01 Dec 2022, 6:27 pm

Martinez already gone. Says he would have left after the World Cup no matter the result.

by GSC Thu 01 Dec 2022, 7:13 pm

Spain and Germany ahead already.

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