ponsaelius

Ronaldo's physical decline this season has been pretty shocking. I actually thought his physical longevity was outshining Messi (maybe it is still - he is two years older after all) and allowing him to stay influential longer. But I think missing a summer pre-season this year has fucked him. He has looked painfully slow chasing after the ball at times. Maybe he can still have a Zlatan type revival even into his twilight years - but it probably needs another reinvention of style and even more importantly an acceptance that he can't start and play every single game.

Messi has changed as a player too. Maybe not as markedly as Ronaldo has done. But he was a genuine flying winger when he first broke through, had a spell as a central centre forward, and has now started playing far deeper than ever before in last 2 years as he's slowed right down. He also went from being a genuinely crap free kick taker to being the best in the world at it over what seemed like overnight.

I went to a few games at the CONIFA World Cup in London a few years ago. Basically a tournament for unrecognised national teams. As the teams were paying/being funded to travel so far to play in the tournament they had a playout system for those knocked out to decide every single placing from 1-16 and to keep them involved. I feel like a similar system for the World Cup would be desirable for the likes of Mike and Wullie who suffer severe withdrawal symptoms.

Croatia probably has about the same number of people in its diaspora as it does within the bounds of the state itself. Which must be given some weight if you are giving them credit for players like Rakitic, Kovacic, Kovac, Simunic, Petric, Klasnic etc who were the product of other countries' footballing systems. Luka Sucic will probably be the next big star to lead the team after this tournament - and he is another who has been born and developed abroad.

Population is obviously important to some degree. The troughs in generations of players are more noticeable in the likes of Netherlands, Belgium etc than they are in France, Germany because despite very similar footballing cultures and facilities they are about a quarter of the size.

For me an Argentina - Morocco final would be perfect. Either get a defining end to Messi's career or an amazing upset which would be huge for global football. Plus the stadium would be rammed with colour as Argentina/Morocco have also had the best fans in the tournament for me. Croatia - France would be a rather uninspiring rematch IMO that would also have a poorer atmosphere because both teams have had very low numbers of travelling fans. But at the very least I'm just relieved that pillock Ronaldo is out.

Greece had no intent to counter and won through set pieces only. They were a far, far more prosaic side. Not to blame them - it reflected the limitations of the squad and it was an amazing coaching achievement. Morocco are low block but they do have genuine pace and technical ability on the counter. In the games they have played they have created clear chances this way. Greece winning the Euros was a localised event and a one off. I do think Morocco winning, even in an overtly defensive style, would be a huge global glass ceiling moment which would inspire great expectations in weaker continents.

2014 wasn't as good as 2018 or this one imo. Group stages were great and the background was glorious technicolour but the knockouts were generally a big disappointment.

It doesn’t matter at all imo. It’s very much a good thing. Stops big countries hoarding loads of players and allows players to play for different set ups at youth level without feeling the need to commit at such a young age. Citizenship and national identity is very nuanced thing and shouldn’t be completely rigid. Obviously there is limits, like has been tried to exploit in the past. But generally now I think it is about right what is allowed and what isn’t.

A lot of it is down to FIFA significantly relaxing their nationality rules over the last couple or decades, too. It used to be that even U21 games tied you for good. Now full friendlies don’t lock players in and even players with competitive caps have been given amnesty to switch at times. It has contributed to much greater depth and more players able to play international footy in some form. Morocco have about half the squad drawn in from the diaspora - many of them key players.

First round of matches had some of the worst football I’ve ever seen. But it’s definitely been class from pretty much then on out.

Famous last words and hope I’m wrong but think it’ll be one game too many for Morocco. Likely both their CBs will be out.

Bobby Martinez hard done to. They had two superpowers in their group.

If it's a Croatia - Morocco final they should let Canada play Belgium in the 3rd place play off.

Very unlucky I think. Played well.

Think we've played ok tbh. France are fluid but we've had as much of the game. Ref is on smack.

Morocco have tried to get the World Cup a few times. It would be a great host country - genuinely mad for footy. Casablanca derby has always been one on my bucket list.

If Messi was to deliver, man

I keep saying it but it's great that it's not just an African team doing well but a team from MENA region with huge support. It's been great for the tournament.

Yessssssssss

What an absolute idiot.

He's so bad. Been banging them in in Serie B as well

Injury time Ronaldo pen is gonna hurt.

There will be loads of added time like.

All the creativity is off for Morocco. Holding on is their only option. What a save.