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 Oakdene Tue 06 Dec 2022, 3:31 pm

Duty281 wrote:Moroccan fans are tedious, fair bit of colour and they've travelled in great numbers, but the constant whistling when Spain are on the ball is dull. Hope Spanish authorities are able to quell the later rioting in their homeland without much fuss.

Wonder if Morocco will soon host a World Cup? They've bid for quite a few recently and are set to bid for 2030. Hosts will be chosen in 2024.

To be fair the 2 countries aren't exactly besties....

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 3:45 pm

Lots of passes from Spain but no real cutting edge. Gareth would be getting pelters

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 3:48 pm

Hoped this would be decent but it's been pretty dire. Spain pinging it around as they do but Morocco have had the better openings

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 3:49 pm

Spain are getting closer, they'll eventually breakthrough. Asensio and Torres looking dangerous. Morocco had the best chance of the half, though it may have been ruled out due to an offside in the build-up. Referee giving the North African side bucketloads of help where he can.

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 3:52 pm

Just have the feeling that if Spain get 1 goal, they will get 3.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 3:56 pm

At the same time if Morocco can nick one do Spain have enough to open them up. Japan were fairly comfortable

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:00 pm

Fair point there GSC

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:02 pm

Christ, just seen ITV have got England's Quarter-Final as well. Would have thought the BBC would have got it seeing as how ITV had the Last-16 game.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:03 pm

Spain need Andy Carroll

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:08 pm

Cut to Infantino on his phone

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:12 pm

On the subject of the dirty arts of South American teams, Gavi likes a tumble doesn't he?

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:14 pm

Yeah, Spain channeling their inner South American spirits here.

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:29 pm

Please someone score so this does not got to Extra Time.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:30 pm

If Morocco can summon a bit of quality on one of these breaks the game is right there.

Spain have been the epitome of pointless football so far

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 4:56 pm

Really good game but extremely poor at the same time. I would say Morocco would be happier to go to penalties than Spain?

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:08 pm

John Hartson is the worst co-commentator I've ever heard, worse even than Savage.

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:20 pm

In fairness, Hartson is 100% better than that woman who just talks and talks and talks through the game.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:36 pm

GSC wrote:Might be an argument to just ditch ET in future tournaments. Tends to produce very low quality play with both teams spent

Don't think we needed it today

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:37 pm

Hope Morocco win the penalties. Spain showed very little urgency and intent. Whatever happens I don't think they're realistic contenders. It's down to Brazil, France and En-ger-land for me.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:37 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It's a shame that Morocco v Spain isn't the evening match. I genuinely don't know how to call it.

I'd like to take this back! Laugh

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:39 pm

The most interesting thing to happen in this game was Ronaldo being benched

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:42 pm

As much as want Morocco to win this, i hate their crowd geering like this.

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:46 pm

Morocco

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:47 pm

Spain are out. I am very happy about that

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:48 pm

Spain can't say they don't deserve it. They offered next to nothing. Morocco had to cede territory but they managed to carry some threat on the break

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:49 pm

Japan: We took the worst penalties at this World Cup
Spain: Hold my paella

Spain deserved to go out for having all that possession and such little intent. Morocco just hung in there and won the penalties. They've got a winnable QF as well.

Enrique made the same mistake as Southgate, bringing on a player specifically to take a penalty. But three misses from three. Wow!

by Lowlandbrit Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:52 pm

Duty281 wrote:Japan: We took the worst penalties at this World Cup
Spain: Hold my paella

After all the stories about how they'd been practicing too.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:53 pm

eirebilly_01 wrote:As much as want Morocco to win this, i hate their crowd geering like this.

Tangiering.

Tumbleweed

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:53 pm

England Vs France
Morocco Vs Portugal/Switzerland

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:55 pm

Just need Suisse to step up now Very Happy

by westisbest Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:56 pm

Great winning penalty. Some nerve.
Fair play to Morocco.

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:58 pm

GSC wrote:The most interesting thing to happen in this game was Ronaldo being benched

Possible unrest in the Portugal squad, with Cancelo also being dropped?

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 5:58 pm

GSC wrote:England Vs France
Morocco Vs Portugal/Switzerland

Winners of England/France will be strong favourites to make the final.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 6:01 pm

Think like United they've worked out they're better without him honestly

by eirebilly_01 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 6:05 pm

Duty281 wrote:
GSC wrote:England Vs France
Morocco Vs Portugal/Switzerland

Winners of England/France will be strong favourites to make the final.

England France is worthy of a final for me. They look the two best teams in the tournament.

If Suisse beat Portugal, Netherland beat Argentina and Brazil eventually lose. This will be one of the best World Cups ever for me Very Happy

by **Galted** Tue 06 Dec 2022, 6:09 pm

Van drivers around the land outraged that the 'England are the last Muslim country left in the world cup' joke will have to wait.

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:01 pm

Clive and Ally on ITV for this one. Like drinking Dom Perignon after being previously forced to drink supermarket cola.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:02 pm

It could be worse, Hartson commentated Wales USA

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:13 pm

Lot of empty seats for this one.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:19 pm

Fabulous finish from Ramos. Cristiano has Piers on the line

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:23 pm

Portugal are on it now, playing around the Swiss with ease

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:24 pm

Some strike. Portugal's decision to drop Ronaldo is vindicated no matter what happens now.

The Swiss have been rattled by the goal. They look a little shaky.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:34 pm

Pepe!

Swiss have to get a grip quickly or it'll be over before halftime

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:39 pm

Almost an instant response. Portugal's keeper doesn't quite inspire confidence

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:43 pm

Should be game over, Ramos can't finish 1 on 1

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:44 pm

Sommer's save keeping the Swiss in it. Their defence has been dreadful tonight, not proactive enough in the press and markers losing the runners too easily.

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 7:54 pm

Portugal's best 45 minutes of the tournament so far. Their attack looks transformed. But Switzerland are getting into some promising positions, just lacking the right final pass at the moment, and Embolo's presence is bothering the Portuguese. If they can pull one back quickly it becomes a different game.

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 8:11 pm

3-0. Again really poor from the Swiss. They've saved their worst performance of the competition for this, and they've been met in return by Portugal's best.

by GSC Tue 06 Dec 2022, 8:12 pm

Expected more from the Swiss but they've been blown away by a dynamic Portugal attack

by Duty281 Tue 06 Dec 2022, 8:16 pm

Four! Won't see Ronaldo again at a World Cup with this type of return.

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