rgk_lfc

I know Tite is supposed to be an excellent coach and all that, but he watched his midfield getting owned by Croatian three, and decided to send on Fred instead of Bruno

Nevermind

Pass, receive, one twos, controlling the ball and keep moving in one fluid motion is such a difficult skill. I feel we don't appreciate it as much because we have been spoilt by Messi doing that four times a game over the last 10-15 years. Only the very best can pull this off and credit to Neymar to doing it at such a crucial moment in such an important game.

I am not comparing the quality of players. Ronaldinho was different level. Just talking about the importance of that goal.

That is his Ronaldinho vs Seaman big world cup moment.

Main reason Croatia is comfortable is their midfield. Casemiro is a great player but he is no match for Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic on his own. He needs support. Get Bruno on in place of Paqueta and Brazil can begin to match them in midfield and make life a bit uncomfortable for the Croatian midfield. Right now The Croatian three get the ball and keep knocking it about without breaking a sweat. Getting Bruno in there will force them to compete.

Not sure you can compare the two. Van Gaal can be arrogant but I don't think he has ever been as nasty, petty or disrespectful like Mourinho. Entertaining personality and all that but Mourinho does it as he likes to be the center of attention every where he goes.

I thought it was the opposite. First half, I thought Morocco were brilliant. Boufal especially had Spain's number. Some of the trickery he displayed was the only interesting point in the half.

Alison has been pretty decent for Brazil. I thought Tyler Adams was very good US until the Netherlands game.

Add 2010 Pedro and Villa to this squad and it looks a lot different. Forget 2010 Villa, add Callum Wilson to this Spain squad and they start to look lot more effective.

Kids who follow club football, absolutely. But there is a huge contingent of folks in places like Asia who rarely watch club football but watch world cup football religiously. For whom, unless you deliver on the international stage, it is nothing. You go to the villages in India they know Pele and Maradona. They have no clue about Pele's and Maradona's achievements for Santos, the 1000 goals he scored, and Napoli. But they do know about Mexico 86 and Pele's achievements in the world cup. There is a romance associated with Pele's and Maradona's story which is missing from the Messi and CRonaldo narrative. By the way, it is not just with football. If you go to India's heartlands and talk to the regular folks, Dhoni is rated higher as a cricketer for his 92 not out in the world cup final than the 50000 runs which Kohli and Tendulkar have scored due to the impact. Of course, you wouldn't get that impression from India's social media or media outlets.

I highly doubt Messi and Ronaldo will be that highly regarded unless they win the world cup and play an important role in that. A good majority of football watchers don't care about club football or champions league. You have to deliver at a world cup to reach that all time great pedestal. I am not saying that is correct but that is the way it is for a decent majority. If Messi or Ronaldo do not win this world cup and do not score an iconic or important goal, forget Pele and Maradona, I feel they will be below Zidane in the global public conscience as time passes.

I think England can beat France. Mbappe is the x factor in attack. If he does not click or is contained, I think the English midfield and defense can handle Giroud, Dembele, and Griezmann. My guess is Southgate will play the Henderson, Rice, and Bellingham midfield which was very effective today. Henderson or Rice will be asked to help out Walker against MBappe. The midfield battle will be important. Bellingham, Rice, Henderson vs Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann will be very interesting to watch.

You could pick one of the coasts - East or West and then make it a road trip watching games in different cities. Combine that strategically with flights to places like Azteca or Denver?

I think you can defeat Spain. Yes, Spain will dominate the midfield and possession but they don't seem to have that cutting edge upfront and the defense seems a bit soft. The way Spain play might also work well for Southgate ball. Keep it tight at the back, let the opposition have the ball and have the fullbacks attack in numbers when they lose possession. Spain also don't look that convincing defending set pieces which England can exploit with their physicality upfront and Trippier.

I was about to post both of these teams could use a Callum Wilson upfront. We can go through so many styles and philosophy of football, there will always be a place for a big pacy physical striker with decent technique who can score.

Shouldn't that handball be a penalty?

How have Spain managed to reincarnate another generation of Xavi and Iniesta. With these two kids in their midfield, they only need one decent defensive midfielder and one decent striker upfront in the next 12 to 15 years to win another major international trophy.

South American players find it easy to settle there - language, weather, food. But I think the main factor is the work permit. It is easier for South American players to get work permit in Portugal which means there are no administrative barriers to the move. So not sure if the Benfica and Porto success story in recruiting South American talents is due to careful scouting or safety in numbers. According to this, currently there are 111 players from Brazil plying their trade in Liga Portugal. https://www.transfermarkt.us/liga-portugal/gastarbeiter/wettbewerb/PO1

Or maybe do a Saudi Arabia. Frustrate Argentina in 45-60 minutes and when they tire, turn on the press and attack.

Unreal cross from Griezmann also.

One my issues with Southgate with yesterday's game was why England didn't use Trippier's deadball ability. They have excellent dribblers - Sterling, Saka, Bellingham, Kane is no slouch at dribbling. Get the ball and run at the US defenders in front of the penalty box and draw fouls. Two or three fouls in the right area and Trippier would have put one in.

I have also been guilty of being too critical of Southgate due to his lack of tactical nous against top level team, but credit where it is due, I thought England looked very impressive. Maybe even the best of the teams which have played until now. France looked good too but I think Iran was a better opposition than Australia. Highest ranked Asian team and a Queiroz coached team is difficult to play against.