Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

[triggs]

2 hours ago, Keefaz said:

Just seen the highlights. I'd have probably had someone marking Messi like.

Tbf when you've scored nearly 1,000 goals I think there's a bit more to it than that.

 

Look at the first goal, Algeria are set up well, midfielder moves a little to his right creating a tiny gap which Rodrigo de Paul leathers a pass through and suddenly Messi is free and scores from outside the box. 

 

Think something which Argentina do well is when they see those tiny gaps they thread the ball through to Messi at incredible pace almost like a shot because they know he'll control it and suddenly he's in behind the midfield

[SteV]

28 minutes ago, The Bonk said:

Once France clicked, thought they looked far more impressive than anyone else. Still the team to beat IMO.

They’ve definitely got the most attacking firepower by a distance. 
 

The last half an hour or so of the first half would be a bit of a worry mind. Senegal were the comfortably the better team during that period (although maybe I’m doing Senegal a disservice as they are more than canny themselves).

[The College Dropout]

1 hour ago, The Bonk said:

Once France clicked, thought they looked far more impressive than anyone else. Still the team to beat IMO.

Better bench too.

[The College Dropout]

Senegal need to drop Mane and Gueye imo. Both looked like old boys yesterday. Won't happen mind.

 

That's a uniquely World Cup thing isn't it? Legendary players going 1 tournament too many. Ronaldo is starting at least his second tournament too many.

[Kid Icarus]

2 hours ago, Wolfcastle said:

Best team and best football by far so far. Though the same was the case in 94 and 06 and it didn't amount to much

That '06 team man, their idiot manager threw that away. 1-0 up and cruising, so he takes off Riquelme and Germany immediately start controlling the game and end up winning.