World Cup 2026

[Fishy]

There's always some nagging regret, isn't there? This time irrespective of what you think of Tuchel's tactics, it's that the Argentine goals came so late. Could so easily have been different, but couldn't quite cling on.

Anyway they were the better side, we didn't go out due to some disastrous blunder or grossly injust decision by the officials and I've moved on.

there was a stat that Argentina have scored was it 8 goals after the 80th min... ive got that wrong but its  a plethora of late goals that have got them thru...

[The Picnic Wasp]

There's always some nagging regret, isn't there? This time irrespective of what you think of Tuchel's tactics, it's that the Argentine goals came so late. Could so easily have been different, but couldn't quite cling on.

Anyway they were the better side, we didn't go out due to some disastrous blunder or grossly injust decision by the officials and I've moved on.

there was a stat that Argentina have scored was it 8 goals after the 80th min... ive got that wrong but its  a plethora of late goals that have got them thru...

These days with VAR and players' antics it's not unusual for matches to last the best part of 100 minutes. The 80 minutes mark now means 20% of the game remains. Attacking teams with talented players usually come good at this time as defending for extended periods is energy sapping.

[The Picnic Wasp]

Less than 10 minutes from a World Cup final and the manager getting trashed. Pathetic!

[Matt2112]

Was VAR in use last night?  Did the VAR officials see what was pretty much an assault on Anderson, a clenched thump to the back of his neck?  Could they have intervened if they did?  Who knows what the actual fcking rules are any more?

Also, how did Simeone, the worst of all the Argie shithouses on the field, escape being carded despite committing five nasty, malicious fouls?

[dom]

That was astonishingly bad and I agree what's the point of VAR if not to be used in something like that

There was also the assault on Messi, involving Kane, Spence, Gordon and Anderson. All fouled him but thanks to astonishing strength and agility he remained unbowed until a combination of them brought him crashing to the ground.

[Thenop]

Messi?
No ref or VAR in sight he does what he wants. If he'd take a dump on the pitch they'd bring him toilet paper.

Here is one of his finest moments against Algeria.

Highslide Image Viewer

[dom]

Messi?
No ref or VAR in sight he does what he wants. If he'd take a dump on the pitch they'd bring him toilet paper.

Here is one of his finest moments against Algeria.

Highslide Image Viewer

Nasty

[Thenop]

^^brushed off as a regular foul, not even a yellow card. No VAR intervention.
Technology is only as useful as the people using it.

[Matt2112]

I'm not sure if all the anger about their shithousery is mitigated by them also being the better footballing team or not.

Ah well...hope Spain do to them what they did to France.

[Fishy]

Yep hope Spain do them tomorrow.. waste of time 3rd/4th play off tonight.. what's the bloody point.. I'm sure the players are not interested..

[Fishy]

United States President Donald Trump has joined criticism of England's tactics in their World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, by questioning Harry Kane's second-half "defensive" role.
Manager Thomas Tuchel's second-half substitutions have been criticised by pundits and supporters following the 2-1 defeat, as Argentina scored two late goals to set up Sunday's final against Spain (20:00 BST).
BBC Sport reported on Thursday how a number of key players had been left disappointed at how England were instructed to finish the game having taken the lead through Anthony Gordon.
Tuchel reverted to a back five and made a number of defensive-minded substitutions in the closing stages as Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic comeback.
"You have a great player in England who I've played golf with. And he is Harry [Kane] who has been fantastic," said Trump.

Thanks Donny...fuck off...

[The Picnic Wasp]

If Messi can laser direct a cross onto the head of Martinez in a saturated England defence, I'd imagine he'd have run riot against tired legs if England had remained on the offensive.

I reckon Tuchel saw the signs of players flagging and made an obvious tactical decision.

[Thenop]

And now we wait who Intrumpino wants to be world champion.

[Fishy]

And now we wait who Intrumpino wants to be world champion.

USA

[dom]

If Messi can laser direct a cross onto the head of Martinez in a saturated England defence, I'd imagine he'd have run riot against tired legs if England had remained on the offensive.

I reckon Tuchel saw the signs of players flagging and made an obvious tactical decision.

Possibly but the reason he could do that so comfortably was because the defence was so deep. It meant he could just position himself to the right and ping crosses into the box. If England had brought on more attacking players earlier they could have brought the fight to Argentina and given Messi less opportunity to attack