2022 Football World Cup You don’t Give a Fuck Thread

[Not DJSapp]

England deserved to win that.

How on earth didn't they get another couple of goals.

Because England must live up to their rep of choking at the world cup when France made a handful of stupid, stupid fouls.

[plugboots]

I hope Kane has a good support group

[philippeR]

That was proper football. But so fucking tense.

[PNWbrit]

Because England must live up to their rep of choking at the world cup when France made a handful of stupid, stupid fouls.

England out played France and contained the next GOAT. Peppered the French goal and consistently beat their defense.

Even without the Kane whiff they should have won that.

I'd be the first to admit if they didn't.

[Woodsy]

England out played France and contained the next GOAT. Peppered the French goal and consistently beat their defense.

Even without the Kane whiff they should have won that.

I'd be the first to admit if they didn't.

Wankers gonna wank...

[SumJongGuy]

But Kane DID wiff.. No excuses when you don't bury that in the back of the net or at least get robbed by a great save..

These refs suck... but so did Kane's 2nd PK. That's all anyone's going to talk about and remember for the next 4 years..

[Long duc dong]

England out played France and contained the next GOAT. Peppered the French goal and consistently beat their defense.

Even without the Kane whiff they should have won that.

I'd be the first to admit if they didn't.

True on all counts.

England were the best team today. A couple of nice finishes by France, a miss by Kane, and England not being able to convert some chances.

England and France are really probably the best two teams in the tournament. In a 'the way the universe is supposed to work' thought process they should have met in the final. Obviously, the way the brackets work changes that.

This England team will be remembered as not making the semis. While that is true, they lost to a great team, one that they outplayed. I honestly think England would have been likely to beat any of the other teams. I also think they might well have beaten France today if the game were simulated over and over again. Sometimes that's just the way things work.

In Euro 2020 England lost to an Italian team that they were clearly better than. That's not really the case with France, although England outplayed France today. These are probably the best two teams in the world right now.

I do feel for Harry Kane. England has lots of young offensive talent, and if Foden/Bellingham et. al. continue to develop they could be insane in 2026. The question will be how good Kane still is, he will be 32 when that tournament starts. Kane has great technical skill, and he doesn't really rely on speed the way a guy like Michael Owen did. He might still be a great player, or perhaps a very good one, when 2026 rolls around. I do hope that's the case, as it would be a shame if that miss is his last World Cup moment.

When this round started I was routing for either England or Argentina, or perhaps the Netherlands, to win it all. With England gone I would love to see Messi finally get the cup. Croatia would be fun too. If Croatia were to lift the cup it would be the first time since Uruguay (who might have been a power back when they won) that a non-great power nation will have won the cup.

I do feel bad for the English fans. That's just tough luck with drawing the other top team in the quarterfinals. But despite the penalty miss I don't feel like this is a big failure for England. I really think they would be in the semis if they had drawn anyone else.

[PNWbrit]

True on all counts.

England were the best team today. A couple of nice finishes by France, a miss by Kane, and England not being able to convert some chances.

England and France are really probably the best two teams in the tournament. In a 'the way the universe is supposed to work' thought process they should have met in the final. Obviously, the way the brackets work changes that.

This England team will be remembered as not making the semis. While that is true, they lost to a great team, one that they outplayed. I honestly think England would have been likely to beat any of the other teams. I also think they might well have beaten France today if the game were simulated over and over again. Sometimes that's just the way things work.

In Euro 2020 England lost to an Italian team that they were clearly better than. That's not really the case with France, although England outplayed France today. These are probably the best two teams in the world right now.

I do feel for Harry Kane. England has lots of young offensive talent, and if Foden/Bellingham et. al. continue to develop they could be insane in 2026. The question will be how good Kane still is, he will be 32 when that tournament starts. Kane has great technical skill, and he doesn't really rely on speed the way a guy like Michael Owen did. He might still be a great player, or perhaps a very good one, when 2026 rolls around. I do hope that's the case, as it would be a shame if that miss is his last World Cup moment.

When this round started I was routing for either England or Argentina, or perhaps the Netherlands, to win it all. With England gone I would love to see Messi finally get the cup. Croatia would be fun too. If Croatia were to lift the cup it would be the first time since Uruguay (who might have been a power back when they won) that a non-great power nation will have won the cup.

I do feel bad for the English fans. That's just tough luck with drawing the other top team in the quarterfinals. But despite the penalty miss I don't feel like this is a big failure for England. I really think they would be in the semis if they had drawn anyone else.

Yep. I'd agree with most of that 100%

By far the best England "team" and probably manager that I've seen. Even if they don't have the overall talent of the "golden generation"

I hope Southgate sticks around for at least the Euros. But I'd guess there will be a lot of big salary offers coming his way.

[Dee Hubbs]

When this round started I was routing for either England or Argentina, or perhaps the Netherlands, to win it all. With England gone I would love to see Messi finally get the cup. Croatia would be fun too. If Croatia were to lift the cup it would be the first time since Uruguay (who might have been a power back when they won) that a non-great power nation will have won the cup.

This is the point I drive home to my non-football friends. ONLY 8 teams have won the FIFA World Cup:
-France (2018, 1998)
-Germany (2014, 1990, 1974, 1954)
-Spain (2010)
-Italy (2006, 1982, 1938, 1934)
-Brazil (2002, 1994, 1970, 1962, 1958,
-Argentina (1986, 1978)
-England (1966)
-Uruguay (1950, 1930)

[SumJongGuy]

France's 2nd goal today was the most beautiful play of the day.

[irul&ublo]

I am a futbol jong. But it appeared to me that England was, clearly, the better team, other than the score.

I am happy to be educated as to why I’m wrong.

France v Morocco should be interesting. Might be a little bit of antagonism there

[warthog]

I am a futbol jong. But it appeared to me that England was, clearly, the better team, other than the score.

I am happy to be educated as to why I’m wrong.

France v Morocco should be interesting. Might be a little bit of antagonism there

Especially since a ton of them were born in France. It is a country divided.

England played well. That was the worst I have seen Les Bleus play so far, but the score is the score.

I agree with most of what has been said, but except for one play, I think Mbappe still had his way with the defense. He is just a wizard. He did not have many good targets today though.

[dunfree]

When this round started I was routing for either England or Argentina, or perhaps the Netherlands, to win it all. With England gone I would love to see Messi finally get the cup. Croatia would be fun too. If Croatia were to lift the cup it would be the first time since Uruguay (who might have been a power back when they won) that a non-great power nation will have won the cup.

uruguay were a great soccer power then, they hosted the first cup because they’d won back to back Olympic cups. But none of the cups before 1954 had the now standard setup of group play + knockout, and qualifying was often a joke. If you discard all the tournaments before it went to 24 teams, you end up with a shorter list. Winners: Argentina, Brazil (2), France (2) Germany (2), Italy (2), Spain. The only teams not on that list to have appeared in the final match over that time are one offs Croatia and the Netherlands.

[old goat]

After France got the first goal they went into a defensive shell, same as Morocco did. It's a potentially dangerous tactic (see "prevent defense")-- you spend that much time in your own box you risk PK's, but if you can keep it clean and have a great keeper it's really hard to score against. Portugal couldn't do it against 10 defenders. Once England got the first goal France came out of the shell and scored, went back into the shell, and got lucky on the second PK. France earned it, with some luck. It may have looked like England dominated but France always had an answer for a reason.

I wonder why FIFA has never gone to a second referee--the way the NHL did, in response to TV replays. But maybe people don't want to see more fouls called. Whatever they pay the refs, it's not enough.

[dcpnz]

Not really sure who to root for. Argentina was playing cheap and flopping all over the place, and their fans are obnoxious as fuck, but...

... and Messi deserves to win a cup once before he retires. So... go Blue?

I really want to see Messi get a cup... Pulling for England but if not... Messi!

No, no, nooooo!

I certainly hope Argentina does not get any further in this cup. The cheap dirty and cynical fouls they commit and the continual flops piss me off and any begrudging respect for Messi will not overcome that sentiment. Hopefully they head home this next round empty handed

Edit: actually Messi does not deserve any respect - he dives more than Greg Louganis

[SumJongGuy]

No, no, nooooo!

I certainly hope Argentina does not get any further in this cup. The cheap dirty and cynical fouls they commit and the continual flops piss me off and any begrudging respect for Messi will not overcome that sentiment. Hopefully they head home this next round empty handed

You spelled Brasil wrong...

[Dee Hubbs]

No, no, nooooo!
I certainly hope Argentina does not get any further in this cup. The cheap dirty and cynical fouls they commit and the continual flops piss me off and any begrudging respect for Messi will not overcome that sentiment. Hopefully they head home this next round empty handed

You spelled Brasil wrong...

You spelled South American football wrong...

[SumJongGuy]

You spelled South American football wrong...

[dunfree]

I wonder why FIFA has never gone to a second referee--the way the NHL did, in response to TV replays. But maybe people don't want to see more fouls called. Whatever they pay the refs, it's not enough.

In the past us soccer had two-referee officiating, it sucked, and was mostly a cost-cutting lack of workers thing.

At World Cup level there’s a referee, two assistant referees, a 4th official, a var, and irc a few extras, no shortage of eyeballs.

[Peruvian]

I am a futbol jong. But it appeared to me that England was, clearly, the better team, other than the score.

I am happy to be educated as to why I’m wrong.

France v Morocco should be interesting. Might be a little bit of antagonism there

A friend put it well - “It is one of the few sports where the objectively better team often loses.”

[PNWbrit]

After France got the first goal they went into a defensive shell, same as Morocco did. It's a potentially dangerous tactic (see "prevent defense")-- you spend that much time in your own box you risk PK's, but if you can keep it clean and have a great keeper it's really hard to score against. Portugal couldn't do it against 10 defenders. Once England got the first goal France came out of the shell and scored, went back into the shell, and got lucky on the second PK. France earned it, with some luck. It may have looked like England dominated but France always had an answer for a reason.

I wonder why FIFA has never gone to a second referee--the way the NHL did, in response to TV replays. But maybe people don't want to see more fouls called. Whatever they pay the refs, it's not enough.

I'm going to start "a Brit explains baseball" thread

[old goat]

I'm going to start "a Brit explains baseball" thread

Well obviously a Brit can't explain soccer.

[Rasputin]

A friend put it well - “It is one of the few sports where the objectively better team often loses.”

That saying may sound clever, but the objective of the game is putting the ball in the net. England failed at crucial moments, and that decides games. Their ball control was fantastic, but they didn't beat the defense in spite of many opportunities. Same thing with Portugal, they controlled the ball, and attacked often, but got stopped repeatedly where it counted, the net.

Croatia seems relentless, and razor sharp, and only Morocco can score on Morocco. I wouldn't be surprised if they meet in the final.

[dcpnz]

^^^You could say same thing about the USA - Netherlands game. USA was competitive, arguably stronger and created more opportunities but the Dutch scored 3 goals with pretty ruthless efficiency and won.

[jimmiepoison]

That saying may sound clever, but the objective of the game is putting the ball in the net. England failed at crucial moments, and that decides games. Their ball control was fantastic, but they didn't beat the defense in spite of many opportunities. Same thing with Portugal, they controlled the ball, and attacked often, but got stopped repeatedly where it counted, the net.

Croatia seems relentless, and razor sharp, and only Morocco can score on Morocco. I wouldn't be surprised if they meet in the final.

Agreed, but I think it’s also important to look at different styles of play. Precise passing and possession out of the back isn’t Morocco’s game plan. That’s more Spain’s style and look how it turned out for them. Morocco making it this far with only 1 goal scored against them all tournament and an own goal at that is downright incredible. No opposing player has scored against them for the entire tournament! It isn’t a fluke that they’ve won against “stronger teams”. Their defense is dialed. They win most 50/50 balls and nearly every ball out of the air. They run a tight defense and then run a viscous counter attack. Although Portugal had more possession I thought Morocco had just as many “dangerous attempts on goal” as Portugal. Yes they sat back and defended deeper after they were up, but that’s what most teams do. Honestly I think the counter attacking style of play has been undervalued in recent years and I think this World Cup has been a reminder of its effectiveness on multiple occasions. Either way, it’s been a lot of fun watching all the crazy outcomes of this years WC.