Board 8 > Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 - Topic 5

(+) Yeah! (+)

red_sox_777 posted...

After 62 games it ends as it always does.

Europe - 1
South America - 1
Rest of the World - Eliminated

don't be ridiculous. last World Cup it was

Europe - 2
Rest of the World - Eliminated

1930 and 1950 are the only years without a European team in the finals (...aka 2 South American teams)

Just eyeballing things, half of the 22 finals are 1 of each continent. 2 all-SA as mentioned, and 9 all-Europe.

Wonder which is more likely at this point, an all-South American final or a "Rest of the World" team making it to the finals...

Edit: Morocco is also only the 3rd team (after South Korea in 2002 and the U.S. in 1930, if they really count) to make the semifinals outside the two big continents, damn... thought there would've been more making it that far for some reason, or like one year with a Mexico semifinal run somewhere.

Sorry, by always I meant that the final is entirely from Europe or South America, not that there's one team from each continent.

An all South America final seems pretty hard. This year, based on the draw it could only happen if (1) one of Argentina and Brazil finished 2nd in their group, or (2) Uruguay or Ecuador made the final. Those are minimum conditions. For the first one, Argentina and Brazil would also need to advance from 6 knockout stage games.

I don't think an SA team other than Argentina or Brazil has made the final in a very very long time so it seems like an all-SA final is extremely unlikely. Maybe more likely with an increased field.

red_sox_777 posted...

Sorry, by always I meant that the final is entirely from Europe or South America, not that there's one team from each continent.

yeah I'm just being cheeky

red_sox_777 posted...

An all South America final seems pretty hard. This year, based on the draw it could only happen if (1) one of Argentina and Brazil finished 2nd in their group, or (2) Uruguay or Ecuador made the final. Those are minimum conditions. For the first one, Argentina and Brazil would also need to advance from 6 knockout stage games.

I don't think an SA team other than Argentina or Brazil has made the final in a very very long time so it seems like an all-SA final is extremely unlikely. Maybe more likely with an increased field.

Uruguay made the semifinals twice after 1950 so they are probably your best bet.

Also finals are very dominated by four teams. Other than 2010 and 2018, every final had one of Brazil, Italy, Germany or Argentina.

Brazil has 7 finals, Germany has 8, Italy and Argentina have 6 each.

And after them, the teams that made it to the most finals are France (4) and Netherlands (3), who appear in the two cups mentioned above. There has never been a final without a cookie cutter team in it.

Yeah, with the semi finals going as they did we are also guaranteed a repeat winner once more.

I think Argentina should be considered slight favorites. Other than the last 10 minutes of regular time against the dutch, which I think they learned from, they have looked very stable all around. France have looked a lot more shaky these past two games imo, they also don't have too much midfield control and Argentina is very good at that.

Obviously France has the qualities to be them but Argentina looks like the more complete team to me.

Karim Benzema might be back for the final (though could also just rejoin the team to collect his medal).

France was trash in the Euros and in Nations League where he played again while Giroud has been great this tournament and he has barely played since the summer. Best course of action is definitely not playing him right now.

Agreed, though I could I see them subbing him on nearing the closing stages of the game just to give him playing time or take a penalty. Something about not ever using the most recent Ballon d'or winner when he is available just feels wrong.

Depends on how it goes. It's a huge risk because he's not fit.

They absolutely do not need Benzema given Giroud's form. It's not like he's left some unfilled gulf.

Maybe bring him on if they're losing and desperately need something, but even then they have other options. Or I guess if they're winning comfortably just to give him a few minutes? But otherwise, no.

Sickness has now run rampant in the French camp.

Argentina essentially have it in the bag.
France did ok to handle the absence of Benzema, Nkunku, Kante, Pogba, Kimpenbe, Maignan.
Then had the Lucas Hernandez injury
Then Rabiot and Upamecano out sick
Now Varane and Konate?
That's down to Saliba and Pavard or Disasi at CB.
Just too much to overcome for any side.

In the end, Qatar rigged this with a flu.

France still favourites even with the absences imo.

But yeah AC sickness is a real issue. Once it gets to November I get a pretty bad cough, every year. Sometimes lose my voice too.

If France loses because some players decided to go to a club or something between games they deserve it imo.

The same happened with the Brazil team.

Croatia last year wasnt a cookie cutter finalist. First time in a long time I believe.

junk_funk posted...

Croatia last year wasnt a cookie cutter finalist. First time in a long time I believe.

I meant every final had at least one cookie. Not both.

For that matter, Spain was very un-cookie in 2010. That was their first final in history.

I wouldn't call Spain totally un-cookie, they were probably the best team to have never won the World Cup (or second to the Netherlands) from an historical sense.

Spain were uncookie in the historical sense but pre-tournament they were absolutely the cookie. They had by far the best team and they were European champions.

That was also the time where La Liga was on top.

charmander6000 posted...

I wouldn't call Spain totally un-cookie, they were probably the best team to have never won the World Cup (or second to the Netherlands) from an historical sense.

Hungary was also pretty ridiculous for a while, at least as much as Netherlands.

Depending on how you view Hand of God, this will essentially be the first World Cup where you can't dispute anything Argentina has done.

78 is just too clouded in controversy. 86 is much more minor even if it infuriates England fans.

voltch posted...

Depending on how you view Hand of God, this will essentially be the first World Cup where you can't dispute anything Argentina has done.

Hand of God was when they literally glorified cheating. I've had a hard time viewing Argentina and Maradona even near to where hype puts them, which is more than sky high and reaching to outer space, though I am rooting for them in this final.

In Argentina they seem to love the hand more than the second goal. There's a revenge element there. It's always made me like their national team less, but it happening before I was born softens that blow.

Nike has the three star France shirt up for sale already lol

Best goal of the tournament maybe

Neymar or Richarlison goals also great
As well as Saudi vs Argentina

Also Mexico's free kick against Saudi Arabia

Once again, the Bracket!
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/8/7/AAE6mcAAEABv.png

Rankings [and as for a bronze color, that one looked the best to me]:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/8/9/AAE6mcAAEABx.png

Also, Third Place Final Results:
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/9/0/AAE6mcAAEABy.png

Don't know who I want to win the final. I hate France for knocking us out, but i generally just despise Argentina for everything else...

Lineups are out.
Yeah if Di Maria is back fully healthy I'm more than worried.

Upamecano over Konate is also gonna be a big decision in hindsight.

Di Maria being injured in the 2014 final is the real reason Argentina lost lol.

I'm so ready for this

Its time

Come on, Not-France!

Yeah, he wasn't offside until he took the shot, was he?

Im not ready to say its over yet but France is on thin fucking ice

Penalty!

And Messi s it!

Messi cool as a cucumber

Imagine that.
Argentina awarded a penalty.

The football gods want this for Messi

I wanted Argentina to win, but not if it's gonna be like this. Can't begrudge the ref too much for giving it, but that's absolutely a dive from Di Maria.

I'm rooting for Messi ngl

Yeah, that should be a yellow for Di Maria for diving as there was barely any contact and was definitely not enough for a foul upon re-looking at the replays. VAR should've happened, here.

I want Argentina to win, but not if they're going to be scummy in their tactics.

France have been so bad

Nervous and a yard short every time

Is it the sickness?

So good