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World Cup Match Thread- Round of 16 Day 3

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
Doesn't matter. Messi is a genuine world-beater. Even if the rest of the team is only good enough to keep the score down, Messi has it in him to win games single-handedly. I think the goal against Bosnia was a massive psychological lift for him, and he's only going to get better and better as this tournament goes on. Who are they going to face? Switzerland? Probably Belgium after that? He'll build up momentum pretty quickly, and once he gets firing on all cylinders there's nothing that will stop him.
I love watching Messi so much that recently, I watched the whole of a 26-minute video mainly showing his dribbling and I did not become disinterested once.
 

Spursh

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2009
2,558
6,514
Emotional stuff from the Algerian's & their manager

And Strachan is talking out of his arse
 

ItsBoris

Well-Known Member
Jan 18, 2011
7,468
8,604
Doesn't matter. Messi is a genuine world-beater. Even if the rest of the team is only good enough to keep the score down, Messi has it in him to win games single-handedly. I think the goal against Bosnia was a massive psychological lift for him, and he's only going to get better and better as this tournament goes on. Who are they going to face? Switzerland? Probably Belgium after that? He'll build up momentum pretty quickly, and once he gets firing on all cylinders there's nothing that will stop him.

So does Ronaldo, but it didn't stop Portugal from going out early. It won't help Argentina against a side that has better teamwork and chemistry. But a collection of individuals is not going to win the world cup, which is what Argentina is at this point.
 

goughie1966

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2008
5,150
17,874
Better quality strikers later in the tournament will score goals against this German back four. I'd say their back four looks a lot like England's. Slow, ponderous and dated.
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
43,881
95,147
So does Ronaldo, but it didn't stop Portugal from going out early. It won't help Argentina against a side that has better teamwork and chemistry. But a collection of individuals is not going to win the world cup, which is what Argentina is at this point.

Messi pisses on Ronaldo from such a great height that Ronaldo thinks Messi is Angel Falls.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
Tactically that was an utter fiasco really, could have been about 10-10, but for pure entertainment that was another barnstormer.

Fair play to Germany, they don't have a negative bone in their collective body. There's a refreshing naivety to their game, it's like watching kids in a playground. And that game was like a playground game.

Algeria gave their all and if they just had a modicum of composure would surely have scored before the 120th minute. I genuinely believe they could have done with Bentaleb's cool head so many times tonight. It wasn't just in the final third, but in the middle of the pitch too there were so many chances to counter that died because the Algerians just weren't careful enough with the crucial pass. And too often they gave the ball away needlessly.

Great nights entertainment for the neutral though.
 

goughie1966

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2008
5,150
17,874
So does Ronaldo, but it didn't stop Portugal from going out early. It won't help Argentina against a side that has better teamwork and chemistry. But a collection of individuals is not going to win the world cup, which is what Argentina is at this point.

Ronaldo was very ordinary in this WC as he has been in most major tournaments. I think this WC has shown he is not the best player in the world and never has been. Messi's different class although I have to agree I'm not sure Argentina are good enough to win it. No one team stands out for me.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
24,010
66,826
Glad Germany are through but well played Algeria. They could have been really defensive but they went for it. The spirit and determination they've displayed in this tournament puts England's 'stars' to shame.
 

LSUY

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2005
24,010
66,826
Better quality strikers later in the tournament will score goals against this German back four. I'd say their back four looks a lot like England's. Slow, ponderous and dated.

I'm struggling to understand why Low insists on playing four centre backs. A back four of Durm - Boateng - Hummels - Lahm would be pretty decent.
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
Algeria really tested the Germans. Unfortunately their final ball was really wanting. Also too many unforced mis-played passes in the midfield losing the ball time and again resulting in wasted energy. Bentaleb in midfield might have lessened the errors.
 

Gassin's finest

C'est diabolique
May 12, 2010
37,355
87,831
Tactically that was an utter fiasco really, could have been about 10-10, but for pure entertainment that was another barnstormer.

Fair play to Germany, they don't have a negative bone in their collective body. There's a refreshing naivety to their game, it's like watching kids in a playground. And that game was like a playground game.

Algeria gave their all and if they just had a modicum of composure would surely have scored before the 120th minute. I genuinely believe they could have done with Bentaleb's cool head so many times tonight. It wasn't just in the final third, but in the middle of the pitch too there were so many chances to counter that died because the Algerians just weren't careful enough with the crucial pass. And too often they gave the ball away needlessly.

Great nights entertainment for the neutral though.
This pretty much already says everything I was going to.

Should have taken those chances in the first half while Germany were still sleeping. By the 80th minute their legs had gone and it was only a matter of time.

Sterling effort all round from the Algerians, especially their keeper M'Bohli. Most composed man on the pitch and an instant WC hero in my eyes.

Oh, and look at Thomas Muller's face... just look at him! Don't you want to smash him in the face with an anvil?
 
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