World Cup 2022

[KingLeo10]

I have to say, when looking at the WC's greatest players (played in 2 WC finals as the main man of the team):

Pele had a lot of help (basically world class players all around him; they won in 1962 without him even playing)

Beckenbauer had Gerd Muller and vice-versa.

R9 had R.Carlos, Cafu, R10, and Rivaldo

ZZ had a stacked French squad in both 98 and 2006 (Desailly, Thuram, Henry, Ribery, Vieira etc.)

Only Messi and Maradona have managed to reach 2 WC finals with good but not other all time great teammates. I think if Messi wins this WC (BIG ask but let's see what happens), he has a claim as greatest world cup player of all time along with Maradona.

 

[L3v1s]

What concerns me mostly are crosses to Giroud, as Argentinian defenders are midgets. Mbappe and Dembele are pace abusers and formidable dribbles, they will create a lot of trouble for Argie fullbacks.

I'm also worried about this. Like jamrock said Romero&Otamendi were solid overall, except for when the Dutch brought those giants. Besides them, German Pezzella is another one that you can count on in aerial battles but he's not the player you want to start. Foyth is also fairly tall but he's been injured and I don't think any manager would change his defensive system that has overall proved good.

But if France needs a goal they'll have the likes of Giroud, Thuram, Rabiot + many options in defense aswell. The Argentines will need to dodge all of this while also watching the pacey wingers.

 

[Givenchy]

All the focus will be on Mbappe vs Messi but a headed goal by Giroud will probably settle it.

 

[JamDav1982]

I'm also worried about this. Like jamrock said Romero&Otamendi were solid overall, except for when the Dutch brought those giants. Besides them, German Pezzella is another one that you can count on in aerial battles but he's not the player you want to start. Foyth is also fairly tall but he's been injured and I don't think any manager would change his defensive system that has overall proved good.

But if France needs a goal they'll have the likes of Giroud, Thuram, Rabiot + many options in defense aswell. The Argentines will need to dodge all of this while also watching the pacey wingers.

Romero was taken off at 2-0 Argentina in that game as on a booking.

Scaloni thought game was over and didnt react to Dutch putting on the big strikers.

Very nearly back fired.

 

[L3v1s]

I have to say, when looking at the WC's greatest players (played in 2 WC finals as the main man of the team):

Pele had a lot of help (basically world class players all around him; they won in 1962 without him even playing)

Beckenbauer had Gerd Muller and vice-versa.

R9 had R.Carlos, Cafu, R10, and Rivaldo

ZZ had a stacked French squad in both 98 and 2006 (Desailly, Thuram, Henry, Ribery, Vieira etc.)

Only Messi and Maradona have managed to reach 2 WC finals with good but not other all time great teammates. I think if Messi wins this WC (BIG ask but let's see what happens), he has a claim as greatest world cup player of all time along with Maradona.

Yep. Pele had the likes of Rivellino, Carlos Alberto, Djalma & Nilton Santos, Jairzinho and Garrincha who are all widely regarded as some of the best Brazilians of all time. He even omitted the latter 2 when making his Top 100 Maybe in an attempt to make it seem like he had a tougher challenge in those World Cups(like Maradona). Plus that 1970s winning team was stacked in every department, everyone keeps saying it. My grandfather used to tell me about that Brazil side whenever we had the chance to speak about football. Pele is no doubt an ambassador of this sport and will forever be one of the greats, but I don't think he's the GOAT. Plus there's still doubts regarding the number of goals that he scored and their importance. Individual wise, no doubt Maradona's 1986 performance is Greatest of All Time. This certainly cemented his status and also gave him that aura that made some fanatics idolize him, despite many of his personal flaws. Plus the fact that he played in Italy during the 80s which was the best league in the world and had some of the best defenders of all time: Maldini, Baresi, Bergomi, Gentile, Scirea. His longevity and consistency is probably his biggest flaw though. Messi has surpassed them in almost everything except that thing that's missing...

 

[JamDav1982]

I have to say, when looking at the WC's greatest players (played in 2 WC finals as the main man of the team):

Pele had a lot of help (basically world class players all around him; they won in 1962 without him even playing)

Beckenbauer had Gerd Muller and vice-versa.

R9 had R.Carlos, Cafu, R10, and Rivaldo

ZZ had a stacked French squad in both 98 and 2006 (Desailly, Thuram, Henry, Ribery, Vieira etc.)

Only Messi and Maradona have managed to reach 2 WC finals with good but not other all time great teammates. I think if Messi wins this WC (BIG ask but let's see what happens), he has a claim as greatest world cup player of all time along with Maradona.

Folk over play how bad Argentina 86 were as well.

Up top with Maradona was Valdano who in 85/86 won La Liga/UEFA Cup double having scored 24 goals and been voted best foreign player in Spain.
Also up top with them was Burachaga who in 85/86 was voted best foreign player in France and had in previous couple years won Copa Libetadores.
In defence they had one of Argentinas all time great CBs in Ruggeri.. he would later play for Real Madrid for a season.. voted best foreign player in Spain and South American player of the year.
In midfield they had Guisti who was voted Independientes all time greatest midfielder etc.

That is half their outfield 10 when include Maradona.

Also 84,85,86 Copa Libetadores were won by Argentina teams and this is at time when there was not the gap between Europe and SA as is now and the SA teams would regularly beat their European counterparts in the Intercontinental Cup.. and both wanted to win.

Seven of the Argentina team that played in 1986 final won Copa Libertadores medals between 84-86.

It was a very solid Argentina team with some very good players and almost all at their peak.

A worse Argentina team with Maradona not having a great world cup made the final in 1990 and only lost to a penalty in final. It was the defence that took them there not Maradona in 1990.

Folk like to romanticise Maradona with Argentina and Napoli at teams and down play who he played with.

There has been better all round teams and Maradona 86 may be the best ever individual WC but he had a good team with him in comparison to what is often made out.

 

[Devils]

Does Argentina have a chance against France?

 

[L3v1s]

Folk over play how bad Argentina 86 were as well.

Up top with Maradona was Valdano who in 85/86 won La Liga/UEFA Cup double having scored 24 goals and been voted best foreign player in Spain.
Also up top with them was Burachaga who in 85/86 was voted best foreign player in France and had in previous couple years won Copa Libetadores.
In defence they had one of Argentinas all time great CBs in Ruggeri.. he would later play for Real Madrid for a season.. voted best foreign player in Spain and South American player of the year.
In midfield they had Guisti who was voted Independientes all time greatest midfielder etc.

That is half their outfield 10 when include Maradona.

Also 84,85,86 Copa Libetadores were won by Argentina teams and this is at time when there was not the gap between Europe and SA as is now and the SA teams would regularly beat their European counterparts in the Intercontinental Cup.. and both wanted to win.

Seven of the Argentina team that played in 1986 final won Copa Libertadores medals between 84-86.

It was a very solid Argentina team with some very good players and almost all at their peak.

A worse Argentina team with Maradona not having a great world cup made the final in 1990 and only lost to a penalty in final. It was the defence that took them there not Maradona in 1990.

Folk like to romanticise Maradona with Argentina and Napoli at teams and down play who he played with.

There has been better all round teams and Maradona 86 may be the best ever individual WC but he had a good team with him in comparison to what is often made out.

Yeah, I can agree that he is romanticised especially by nostalgics. It would be silly to say that a game is won by a single player(except for maybe the game against England). Burruchaga & Valdano were stand out players in that squad, but his individual brilliance inspired the team through the whole tournament. You might have a fair point regarding Argentinian club football at the time. I know that many good South Americans footballers didn't go to Europe until the late 70s-early 80s but I'm not familiar with the whole scene to be frank.

 

[jamrock]

Argentina run a risk of going 2-4 in finals, not great, gotta even that up 3-3.

 

[Barcilliant]

4th WC final for France in the last 7 WCs btw. If the win, it will be the 3rd WC in the last 7

The very segment of society that France hates have delivered them success.
Hope Argentina wins.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

Does Argentina have a chance against France?

Yep! The way their midfield played this last game, I think they'll easily recover a lot of balls in France's half and create attacking chances.

 

[raskolnikov]

The very segment of society that France hates have delivered them success.
Hope Argentina wins.

Yeah africans are their best players. Banlieu kids have nothing do beside play football all day.

 

[raskolnikov]

Argentina run a risk of going 2-4 in finals, not great, gotta even that up 3-3.

They havent been favourites last time and this time.
When is the last time the favourite didnt win?
The favourite usually wins.

Since im watching football (1994)im pretty sure the winner was favourite every time except for 1998 where Brazil were favoured.
Maybe Mbappe gets poisened as well for the Argentina upset?

 

[Andresito]

Odds are truly 50/50 for this one. Exactly 1.92 on each side to win. Still think France are the favourites here.

 

[raskolnikov]

Odds are truly 50/50 for this one. Exactly 1.92 on each side to win. Still think France are the favourites here.

Yeah its easy money on France. Bet builder of them to win the wc and over 1,5 goals gives 3,6 odds. Or over 1,5 goals for them and a mbappe shot on target 3.55
Or even better mbappe to score, france over 1,5 goals and to win a wc at 6.

Easiest money ever since at worst they will win a 0-2 1-3 type victory.
People will look back on it saying why wre the odds so high for Argentina when it all depends on 35 year old Messi to create?

France has the speed, power, height, versitility in goalscoring and mbappe to hurt Argentina.
If Messi and Argentina pull it off it will be similair to current Atletico beating Manchester city. Big upset for which they will deserve huge credit.