FIFA World Cup 2014 (Brazil) SPOILERS: Read at own risk

[lamaros]

It will liven up.

Not watched Argentina this tournament?

Their entire game plan seems to be Defend + Messi.

[IainC]

Both sides were awful in that game. Germany will crush Argentina.

[Shannow]

Both sides were awful in that game. Germany will crush Argentina.

Agreed, shit soccer should not be rewarded. Go Germany.

[Ginaz]

Oh soccer, never change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvsuYssoTw0#t=114

[Jeff Kelly]

So Ger vs. Arg.

The only question remaining: Like '86, like '90 or like 2010.

I'd obviously prefer '90 or 2010 over '86 obviously.

[Cyrrex]

Yeah, Argentina can go fuck itself.  So can Netherlands, for that matter.  When you have an explosive team like that and you choose to play conservatively for 2 whole fucking hours, you deserve to lose the game and you deserve to lose your job as a coach. 

For all the smack I tallked a few pages ago against the boring style of German play, at least they are still trying to score goals.  I may not always care for the way they often methodically plod their way forward, but at least they are going forward.  They understand that you can't score goals with two men against five defenders.  They also know that they best way to protect a lead is to extend it. 

So go Germany.  I hope they utterly smash Argentina.

[Abagadro]

Eh, was a defensive/tactical battle. I don't really begrudge that. Final may shape up like the Germany/Italy semi in 2006.

[Jeff Kelly]

Please God, no!

[Cyrrex]

Eh, was a defensive/tactical battle. I don't really begrudge that. Final may shape up like the Germany/Italy semi in 2006.

Um, if you are Netherlands, that is a pants-on-head stupid approach to a game against Argentina.  And they lost as a result.  They had a much better chance winning in a shootout.

When one team turtles up against an offensively superior opponent, that is understandable.  When both teams do it, it is lousy fucking football. 

[Amarr HM]

Lets not forget Germany were fairly pants until the Brazil game. They scraped past Algeria and France for that matter.

[IainC]

Lets not forget Germany were fairly pants until the Brazil game. They scraped past Algeria and France for that matter.

Apart from the bit where they opened their campaign by eviscerating Portugal you mean?

[Amarr HM]

Holland beat Spain 5-1 in their first game, what's your point?

Seriously though, Portugal had Pepe sent off in the first half so hard to judge them by that.

[Cyrrex]

I wouldn't exactly say they (Germnay) were pants in any of their other games.  

Holland beat Spain 5-1 in their first game, what's your point?

That's kind of the point, isn't it?  Holland destroyed Spain because they played very aggressively.  They lost to Argentina because for some fuckstupid reason, they decided not to play the same style of football that got them to the semis in the first place.

And Germany was already putting the wood to Portugal.  Pepe's red card didn't change much.

[Amarr HM]

Yes it is the point, I wouldn't expect the same Germany to turn out for the final as we saw against Brazil. In fact the Argentina - Holland game was a fairly atypical semi final, two teams more afraid to lose than to try to win.

[Amarr HM]

I wouldn't exactly say they (Germnay) were pants in any of their other games.  

Well they certainly didn't light the world on fire, no offense to US members here but they should really be easing past teams like that. There was no cohesion between midfield and attack, until the Brazil game, in any game I watched.

[Cyrrex]

I guess I'm not sure what you are saying.  No, I wouldn't expect Germany to come out and score 7 goals, because I would never expect any team to score 7 goals.  What I would expect from Germany is control the ball and pass the shit out of it, but methodically moving the ball up the field and applying pressure.  This is what they do.  Sometimes it means they win 1-0.  Other times it means they win 7-1.

Argentina, I expect they will turtle up for the most part, because that is what all these strategically retarded coaches do.  Despite all the evidence to the contrary, they think that this somehow works against a ball controlling juggernaut like Germany.  They expect to win by getting a bunch of contras (they won't, because what Germany specifically excels at is keeping control of the ball, which is contra kryptonite), or they expect that Messi will bail them out with a brilliant play here or there.  That also is foolish, because if they turtle up, Messi will barely even see the football.  Argentina's only chance is to do the exact fucking opposite.  They need to bet the house.

But they won't bet the house, so they will lose.  3-1 Germany.

[Cyrrex]

I wouldn't exactly say they (Germnay) were pants in any of their other games.  

Well they certainly didn't light the world on fire, no offense to US members here but they should really be easing past teams like that. There was no cohesion between midfield and attack, until the Brazil game, in any game I watched.

Well, the score was not indicative in the US game.  They beat the US thoroughly.  The reason the score wasn't higher was a combination of chance, a really good keeper on the US side, and the fact that the US tends to keep things close through their highly energetic and...couragous?...style of play.  It was still a whipping.

I watched all of Germany's games, and I think you are picking some tiny nits.  They have been in control all the way through this tournament.

[Amarr HM]

I'm saying Germany played an absolutely terrible Brazil team, minus their two best players, that capitulated. I'm saying when they have met resistance, they have struggled, see USA game. Portugal were a joke couldn't even hold a two goal lead against a fairly average if resolute USA team. I'm also saying you can never judge a team by their first game in a tournament, thus is the nature of the beast.

You are right Argentina will sit back and counter but Argentina will be the first team that can genuinely hurt them on the break, I wouldn't write them off. I'm going to put my neck out and say Argentina to win.

[Paelos]

All I want out of the game is for it not to go to extra time.

[Shannow]

Quite happy for it to go extra time. I just don't want it to be shit soccer. 0-0 at 90' is fine as long as it's not cpled with like 2 total shots on goal.
Give me some free flowing soccer, some chances, some excitement. Lack of scoring isn't the problem , lack of scoring chances is.

[HaemishM]

  This doesn't bode well for the second half, as both teams might feel reluctant about opening up.  It would be a shame to see two fun teams like these suffocate each other and play a boring game, but that's what it is looking like.  Smells like penalty kicks.  Hope I am wrong.

You weren't. Holy fuck, was that a boring, dour game or what? I'm betting Van Gaal is regretting not subbing Krul on in goal this time. I've thought this whole tourney that Cilassen was completely out of his depth, and he certainly was in the shootout. If his defense in front of him had not been so good (particularly Vlar who was just a beast - until some idiot put him first in the shootout), he'd have been hammered. Van Persie looked old and unfit. Even Robben seemed restrained. Kind of a shame, because the Spain game showed they could open a team up.

Germany/Argentina final? Ok. I don't have much doubt about the results in that one, though. Argentina have looked strong defensively but they've rarely looked a team that can open up a staunch defense, and Germany has that in spades. I think they should really try to open up the play for the final - put Messi, Higuain and Aguero up top in a fluid 4-3-3 and really try to out silk Germany's back line. If Mertesacker plays instead of Boateng, Argentina could win simply by one of those three straight burning Mertesacker. Germany won't do that though because they aren't stupid. Germany 1-0. 

[WayAbvPar]

I don't think Argentina deserves a World Cup playing the negative shit style they have shown so far, but part of me wants to see them win it just to watch Brazil FREAK THE FUCK OUT.

[Ingmar]

I'd sort of like to see Messi win it just so I can stop reading bullshit from people about how he's just not as good as Maradona blah blah blah.

[01101010]

Any guesses as to how badly Brazil gets beat by Holland on Saturday? I'd say 3-1 because Holland looks spent over the past two 120min matches.

[HaemishM]

Probably win on penalties. 

[Amarr HM]

3rd place playoff is kinda dumb don't you think? I'd be surprised if either team gave a shit, although I imagine Brazil have more to prove to their fans after all the money their goverment squandered on the $1 billion stadium they'll be playing in.

[Jeff Kelly]

Well maybe Cilassen would have been better if van Gaal hadn't publicly embarrassed ihm by subbing ihm out vs. Costa Rica. Nothing gives you more confidence than your own manager telling two billion viewers that he thinks you suck at penalties.

Put Krul in the starting lineup, save up your last substitution for penalties or you know don't start a van Persie who clearly wasn't fit, didn't show up for most of the game and had to be subbed out at the start of extra time. Start with Huntelaar instead. Better yet close the game up in regular play and not penalties.

I'm kinda glad that this thing blew up in his fucking face in the game after because it was bullshit.

[WayAbvPar]

And now he is off to fuck up United 

[Nebu]

3rd place playoff is kinda dumb don't you think?

Not to FIFA.  Have you seen what they're charging for a ticket?

[HaemishM]

And now he is off to fuck up United 

 

And it's not like United has a goalkeeper with a history of confidence issues.  

I agree with Jeff Kelly though. If Krul is so much better at penalties (and clearly he is because otherwise why sub him - and the announcers said Cilassen has never saved a penalty), start him. The last sub you ever want to make in a game is goalkeeper.

[01101010]

Well maybe Cilassen would have been better if van Gaal hadn't publicly embarrassed ihm by subbing ihm out vs. Costa Rica. Nothing gives you more confidence than your own manager telling two billion viewers that he thinks you suck at penalties.

Put Krul in the starting lineup, save up your last substitution for penalties or you know don't start a van Persie who clearly wasn't fit, didn't show up for most of the game and had to be subbed out at the start of extra time. Start with Huntelaar instead. Better yet close the game up in regular play and not penalties.

I'm kinda glad that this thing blew up in his fucking face in the game after because it was bullshit.

I agree with you, but that match should have never gone down to penalty kicks in the first place. I am not saying Argentina is a slouch on defense, but Holland should have been able to score at least two on that team if they weren't in the "play not to lose" mode. You could make the argument that the Costa Rica game took the wind out of the sails, but I am not buying it...

I won't mind a surprise upset if Argentina wins because I do enjoy watching Messi play, but I just don't think he can carry them without some support to take the pressure off...not against that German team. Wonder if diMaria will play and be healthy enough to contribute. If not, Higuain will need to really step up.

[Chimpy]

Higuain has not played that badly, it is Aguero that has been a dog. He just does not seem to mesh with Messi at all.

[HaemishM]

He's also hurt.

[Tale]

Funny and good analysis of why Brazil lost 7-1

[Tale]

3rd place playoff is kinda dumb don't you think?

Netherlands coatch agrees with you - Van Gaal slams third-place play-off