Think France still have a gear to go up. Do a job on Messi, which I think France have the calibre of players to do, and they win.
We said that about Mbappé, which we did, and still lost
Haven't read all the comments on here but the thing about great attacking players are it's nearly impossible to keep them quiet for the 100 minutes or so of matches. Once the foul on Saka wasn't given the part Mbappé played was immense, Rice who had a strong game missed his tackle on Mbappé and the speed and strength kicked in and he was away and 12 seconds later France scored from the transition.
The same against Morroco, whether Mbappé gets the assists or not it was his shots and power on the ball that led to both goals.
Game changers are very rare at the top level: Mbappé and Messi are supreme in this art.
You never win WC without the rub of the green or decisions going your way.
Think France still have a gear to go up. Do a job on Messi, which I think France have the calibre of players to do, and they win.
We said that about Mbappé, which we did, and still lost
France have Giroud, Griezmann, Dembele etc.
I don’t think Argentina have that quality.
Giroud is dependent on service. Not sure that Alvarez is so reliant as he is capable of creating something out of nothing as evidenced by the fact that three of his four goals owe much to his own skill and anticipation.
In fact, Alvarez didn't come on 'til Argentina were losing against Saudi Arabia and also entered the field with the score at 0-0 against Mexico (Argentina scored within a minute and won 2-0). In this WC Giroud has a shot accuracy of 40% whereas Alvarez's is 88%.
For those reasons, I wouldn't have Giroud over Alvarez but agree that the likes of Griezmann and Dembele offer France more threats from different areas overall.
Think France still have a gear to go up. Do a job on Messi, which I think France have the calibre of players to do, and they win.
We said that about Mbappé, which we did, and still lost
France have Giroud, Griezmann, Dembele etc.
I don’t think Argentina have that quality.
Man for man they don't but they still have Messi (who is like 2 players), Alvarez, Fernandez.
They've also changed their lineup every game, which to me is quite unusual as a side progresses through a tournament so Deschamps will be kept guessing.
I assume both itv and bbc will be showing the game.
Any time messi gets the ball Lineker and ferdinand will be drooling like hungry dogs.
Messi might make a simple pass to alveraz within their own half as they try to build a counter attack
It will be described as the most elegant beautiful pass you could possibly imagine which makes it very clear messi is better than Ronaldo and maradonna put together!
Imagine if you're a favourite like England or Belgium, the thought of having to play again must be rubbish, especially having gotten so close to the Final - For someone like Morocco, they probably didnt expect to get out of the Group Stages, people talked about it being Modric's last chance to win the World Cup... Did he really stand a chance, or is 3rd a great achievement for a Nation the size of Croatia, especially when it confirms that four years ago was no fluke.
I think Morocco will be well up for it tomorrow but are carrying a few injuries. Wouldn’t be shocked if Croatia don’t turn up the some of the reasons laid out above.
I think you'll probably see a few changes to each side. Players who were pushing themselves despite carrying knocks and playing through injury to get to a final, probably now won't be so bothered when they know the game is meaningless and they'll be back at their clubs in a few days.
Said it before, I don’t care for the politics surrounding it all, but this has been a cracking World Cup.
I think it's been okay, but give it a few months how many memorable moments have there really been?
Loads?
Saudi Arabia beating Argentina. Japan putting Germany out. Neymar scoring a great goal to apparently win a game and them then losing it. Netherlands' free kick. Messi turning Gvardiol inside out in a Semi Final to set up a goal. And sadly Harry Kane saying that penalty.
Said it before, I don’t care for the politics surrounding it all, but this has been a cracking World Cup.
I think it's been okay, but give it a few months how many memorable moments have there really been?
Loads?
Saudi Arabia beating Argentina. Japan putting Germany out. Neymar scoring a great goal to apparently win a game and them then losing it. Netherlands' free kick. Messi turning Gvardiol inside out in a Semi Final to set up a goal. And sadly Harry Kane saying that penalty.
If morroco win then they've officially gone further in a world Cup in comparison to England throughout the last 56 years.
We've never reached 3rd
And it means absolutely nothing.
I'd bet that a lot of people would have to google what happened in our third place matches in 1990 and 2018.
I have a total blank on the 3rd play off match in 2018 but I have a vision of Peter Shilton making a mistake with his feet and England losing to Italy in 1990 ?
A sign of old age when you remember 1990 3rd match game rather than 2018 !
Comments
Haven't read all the comments on here but the thing about great attacking players are it's nearly impossible to keep them quiet for the 100 minutes or so of matches.
Once the foul on Saka wasn't given the part Mbappé played was immense, Rice who had a strong game missed his tackle on Mbappé and the speed and strength kicked in and he was away and 12 seconds later France scored from the transition.
The same against Morroco, whether Mbappé gets the assists or not it was his shots and power on the ball that led to both goals.
Game changers are very rare at the top level: Mbappé and Messi are supreme in this art.
You never win WC without the rub of the green or decisions going your way.
In fact, Alvarez didn't come on 'til Argentina were losing against Saudi Arabia and also entered the field with the score at 0-0 against Mexico (Argentina scored within a minute and won 2-0). In this WC Giroud has a shot accuracy of 40% whereas Alvarez's is 88%.
For those reasons, I wouldn't have Giroud over Alvarez but agree that the likes of Griezmann and Dembele offer France more threats from different areas overall.
Qatari referee has been appointed for the 3rd place play-off.
They've also changed their lineup every game, which to me is quite unusual as a side progresses through a tournament so Deschamps will be kept guessing.
Why do they bother?
Any time messi gets the ball Lineker and ferdinand will be drooling like hungry dogs.
Messi might make a simple pass to alveraz within their own half as they try to build a counter attack
It will be described as the most elegant beautiful pass you could possibly imagine which makes it very clear messi is better than Ronaldo and maradonna put together!
GOAT - no question
A 4 team confederation competition as well, who is running FIFA the ICC?
Even the players probably just want to get home after the disappointment of losing the semi final and time away from their families.
Do you really sit at the end of the Euros thinking "yes, good final, but I really wish I knew who came third"?!
Imagine if you're a favourite like England or Belgium, the thought of having to play again must be rubbish, especially having gotten so close to the Final - For someone like Morocco, they probably didnt expect to get out of the Group Stages, people talked about it being Modric's last chance to win the World Cup... Did he really stand a chance, or is 3rd a great achievement for a Nation the size of Croatia, especially when it confirms that four years ago was no fluke.
We've never reached 3rd
keep building themselves up from here.
They made the 2022 world Cup a tad more special
Saudi Arabia beating Argentina.
Japan putting Germany out.
Neymar scoring a great goal to apparently win a game and them then losing it.
Netherlands' free kick.
Messi turning Gvardiol inside out in a Semi Final to set up a goal.
And sadly Harry Kane saying that penalty.
FIFA is a dreadful organisation.
I'd bet that a lot of people would have to google what happened in our third place matches in 1990 and 2018.
I have a total blank on the 3rd play off match in 2018 but I have a vision of Peter Shilton making a mistake with his feet and England losing to Italy in 1990 ?
A sign of old age when you remember 1990 3rd match game rather than 2018 !