[WC 14] The Round of 16 Thread

[DAF86]

To me that's only when two forces are somewhat equal. Argentina-Germany in 2006 for example, to me Argentina was 10 minutes away from winning the WC that year (lucky goal by Germany, wrong coach decision not playing Messi, penalties, etc). So even not playing well Argentina will beat Switzerland... I mean, we are talking about Switzerland!!! Did they show anything that we should fear? The same with Belgium, nothing impressive, neither offensively nor defensively. Only Nigeria beating France or Algeria beating Germany would be bigger upsets than the Swiss beating Argentina, and that says a lot. It won't be easy though, we will suffer a lot in both games till the last minute.

There are many examples of lesser teams beating elite teams on WC's knock out stages.

[hater]

We have the Pope, tbh... won't work against Algeria, but should instill enough fear in the Swiss, IMO

you had God last WC and got assrammed 4-0

[it's me]

you had God last WC and got assrammed 4-0

true

[ManuLoco]

There are many examples of lesser teams beating elite teams on WC's knock out stages.

Yes, but can you tell me about a WC candidate team that would have won the world cup had that lesser team not beat them? 1990 Brazil maybe (despite our beliefs Argentina was a horrible team in 1990 and Brazil was pretty good)? Who else? If a much lesser team beat you then you never had a chance at winning the world cup. A very similar example: Do you think Argentina would have won in 1994 if they got past Rumania or in 2002 if they had beaten Sweden? Despite all the things that those two teams had to deal with, do you think they had championship caliber?

[DAF86]

Yes, but can you tell me about a WC candidate team that would have won the world cup had that lesser team not beat them? 1990 Brazil maybe (despite our beliefs Argentina was a horrible team in 1990)? Who else? If a much lesser team beat you then you never had a chance at winning the world cup. A very similar example: Do you think Argentina would have won in 1994 if they got past Rumania or in 2002 if they had beaten Sweden? Despite all the things that those two teams had to deal with, do you think they had championship caliber?

2002 no doubt.

[Venti Quattro]

you had God last WC and got assrammed 4-0

This is Germany thay we're talking about, not some bimbo vato team who beat the Argies.

[ManuLoco]

2002 no doubt.

What happened against Sweden then? I remember officiating was pretty good, in fact the referees gifted us a penalty. We didn't have much bad luck as we didn't have much scoring chances. Argentina just couldn't create offense against a tight defense. And against Nigeria and England Argentina played poorly, they were just a shadow of 2001 Argentina. That team and players individually were just not clicking at the right time.

[DAF86]

What happened against Sweden then? I remember officiating was pretty good, in fact the referees gifted us a penalty. We didn't have much bad luck as we didn't have much scoring chances. Argentina just couldn't score against a tight defense. And against Nigeria and England Argentina played poorly, they were just a shadow of 2001 Argentina. That team and players individually were just not clicking at the right time.

You kidding? We missed a load of chances. Either way, that's not the point. You asked me if any of those teams could have gone to win it all and I responded that that '02 team could have done it. Nobody was going to outplay them in the head to head.

[ManuLoco]

I just remember all of our chances were kicking the ball to the box and pray something would come out of it, and that same situation was definitely going to happen in the knock-out stages. But well... let's pray we don't pull a 2002 then.

[ElNono]

you had God last WC and got assrammed 4-0

That was Germany, not some back alley eurotrash

[ManuLoco]

Damn, Argentina had a kick-ass defense back in 2002. Can we bring those guys back in time and put them on this team? Where is Doc Brown when you need him?

[hater]

That was Germany, not some back alley eurotrash

yeah and it was God not some false prophet

[ElNono]

yeah and it was God not some false prophet

did you see this tweet?

[hater]

yeah

[SAtown]

Winners:

Brazil
Uruguay
Holland
Greece
France
Germany
Argentina
USA

[velik_m]

We have the Pope, tbh... won't work against Algeria, but should instill enough fear in the Swiss, IMO

Yeah, but he's guarded by the swiss, he'll bless the right team if he knows what's good for him...

[Soul_Patch]

There are many examples of lesser teams beating elite teams on WC's knock out stages.

Agentina v. England in 1998 comes to mind

[Infinite_limit]

To me that's only when two forces are somewhat equal. Argentina-Germany in 2006 for example, to me Argentina was 10 minutes away from winning the WC that year (lucky goal by Germany, wrong coach decision not playing Messi, penalties, etc). So even not playing well Argentina will beat Switzerland... I mean, we are talking about Switzerland!!! Did they show anything that we should fear? The same with Belgium, nothing impressive, neither offensively nor defensively. Only Nigeria beating France or Algeria beating Germany would be bigger upsets than the Swiss beating Argentina, and that says a lot. It won't be easy though, we will suffer a lot in both games till the last minute.

2006 Argentina over Italy or France? I just don't see it.

[hater]

The Batistuta argentina was a much better team than todays argentina imo. And that team really didnt go too far imo

the only way this swis cheese defense team will go far is due to locality and ref help imo

[Muser]

Messi is in killer form. He hasn't played that well and he's still been arguably the best player at the tournament. I would be genuinely surprised if Argentina don't make the semis at least

[ManuLoco]

2006 Argentina over Italy or France? I just don't see it.

Did you see Argentina play in 2006? That team didn't lose a game. Very solid defense and midfield, and we had good offense with prime Riquelme, Crespo, a young Tevez, Saviola and baby Messi on the bench. To me 2006 Italy was the most mediocre world champion of all time, barely beating Australia (a gifted penalty being the last play of the game) and Ukraine to get to semis.

[ManuLoco]

Messi is in killer form. He hasn't played that well and he's still been arguably the best player at the tournament. I would be genuinely surprised if Argentina don't make the semis at least

Yes, Messi has been pretty bad actually. He's playing as bad as he was with Barcelona since coming back from his last injury. He's just making crucial goals. I really hope and I'm sure it will be the case that he is saving the best for the knock-out stages. The furthest Argentina goes, the better Messi will play. He also needs to help defensively. This first 3 games every time he lost the ball he just stood there.

[DAF86]

Agentina v. England in 1998 comes to mind

lol sons

[DAF86]

Yes, Messi has been pretty bad actually. He's playing as bad as he was with Barcelona since coming back from his last injury. He's just making crucial goals. I really hope and I'm sure it will be the case that he is saving the best for the knock-out stages. The furthest Argentina goes, the better Messi will play. He also needs to help defensively. This first 3 games every time he lost the ball he just stood there.

Against Nigeria he played great, he did everything right. And regarding the defensive thing, Messi should be the only one allowed to not waste a lick of energy on that end.

[Relevancy]

Yes, Messi has been pretty bad actually. He's playing as bad as he was with Barcelona since coming back from his last injury. He's just making crucial goals. I really hope and I'm sure it will be the case that he is saving the best for the knock-out stages. The furthest Argentina goes, the better Messi will play. He also needs to help defensively. This first 3 games every time he lost the ball he just stood there.

i wouldnt say he was bad in the Nigeria game, he was quite involved actually, something we didnt see against bosnia iran.