[WC 14] The Round of 16 Thread

[Trill Clinton]

Mexico

One of the dumbest teams ever. After scoring a goal and pretty much controlling the game, you just stop playing!

yea they played very timid at the end...can't do that with robben tha gawd out there. they should have kept dos santos in the game.

[TDMVPDPOY]

How did Robben have luck? He absolutely dominated the game. He was doing fine even when MEX was playing their game, but then when MEX backed off, Robben completely and consistently destroyed them and created chances. I don't like Robben, but he was incredible today and was EASILY the best player on the pitch today.

he didnt do much man

[Sense]

Juega como nunca, pierde como siempre.

that round of 16 destiny

Couldn't be more true... last 3 world cups they have outplayed their rival, and they still manage to lose on stupid mistakes.

[Malik Hairston]

Teams that play ultra-conservative and play not to lose deserve to lose, tbh, we see it in the NFL all the time..

I understand it to an extent, but why alter your entire approach when you've already shown that you were playing at a superior level than them?(even as the underdog)..

[DPG21920]

he didnt do much man

Disagree. He created the most chances, attacked and put pressure on MEX a ton and won a lot of the corners that led to the first goal. Then he drew the penalty for the winner. I don't get how you can say he didn't do much.

[Blizzardwizard]

Lot of saltiness right now, but Mexico were unlucky.

Europe

[DPG21920]

What kind of message does it send to your team that you sub De Santos out that early? Mexico played a very great WC and even today. But their strategy back fired and it was very obvious - especially against a team like NED.

[Sportstudi]

How did Robben have luck? He absolutely dominated the game. He was doing fine even when MEX was playing their game, but then when MEX backed off, Robben completely and consistently destroyed them and created chances. I don't like Robben, but he was incredible today and was EASILY the best player on the pitch today.

I'm not denying that Robben gave everything he could and that he was the best player on the pitch, but that penalty was a dive. And I don't care if there was one possible penalty denied just before half time. One wrong call doesn't justify to get an underserved penalty as a compensation.

[Infinite_limit]

LOL @ ty ESPN

Um we have to cut away to Sportscenter to talk about Dwayne Wade & Manziel

[Malik Hairston]

For the die-hards here, is it common for a player of Robben's age to still look that fast and explosive, tbh?..isn't 30 years old considered ancient for a player with his style of play?..

[ElNono]

Mexico did a good job nullifying RVP and Schneider (until the 1st goal), they also did a good job on Robben, who they didn't let get his shot off. They just looked like they didn't expect to be up and didn't know what to do when they went up 1-0.

[TDMVPDPOY]

Disagree. He created the most chances, attacked and put pressure on MEX a ton and won a lot of the corners that led to the first goal. Then he drew the penalty for the winner. I don't get how you can say he didn't do much.

dude he only attacked into the box 2 times,
first time he kept on going instead of diving which the goalie blocked
2nd time he was fouled but kept on going and finally dived to get the call
corner kicks any clown can take corners...

[DPG21920]

I'm not denying that Robben gave everything he could and that he was the best player on the pitch, but that penalty was a dive. And I don't care if there was one possible penalty denied just before half time. One wrong call doesn't justify to get an underserved penalty as a compensation.

Well two things: 1) It wasn't so clear that it was a "dive". Was it questionable? Sure, but it looked like it was contact in the box. 2) Has nothing to do with a makeup call. It's about complaining. You can't act like they were cheated when they weren't called for a clear penalty. Has nothing to do with making up for a missed call and everything to do with objectively looking at the opportunities throughout the game.

[dfens]

I'm kind of happy MEX didn't win. Seems like it would put more pressure on USA to win, especially since NED has been a top 2 team in this WC so far.

Great WC for MEX though - they came together much better than I expected and played an unbelievable brand of soccer at a high level. What a WC!!!

take.

[DMX7]

What kind of message does it send to your team that you sub De Santos out that early? Mexico played a very great WC and even today. But their strategy back fired and it was very obvious - especially against a team like NED.

I knew it was bad as soon as I saw it. With the water breaks, no excuse for tired players either.

[velik_m]

just hate seeing Van Gaal move on, tbh

Van Gaal is my favourite coach, used to have him in my avatar here few years ago. I guess we're destined to become mortal enemies

[DPG21920]

dude he only attacked into the box 2 times,
first time he kept on going instead of diving which the goalie blocked
2nd time he was fouled but kept on going and finally dived to get the call
corner kicks any clown can take corners...

He attacked way more than two times - you are just lying . MEX did ok at not letting him get his shot off, but he still collapsed MEX's defense several times and won a lot of corners. It's ultimately what led to Mexico's demise.

[TDMVPDPOY]

For the die-hards here, is it common for a player of Robben's age to still look that fast and explosive, tbh?..isn't 30 years old considered ancient for a player with his style of play?..

robben has always beene about himself first, a 1 man show team...

[DPG21920]

take.

Link?

[NASpurs]

For the die-hards here, is it common for a player of Robben's age to still look that fast and explosive, tbh?..isn't 30 years old considered ancient for a player with his style of play?..

He just turned 30. Looks deceive him.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Can Argentina beat the Netherlands?

[FkLA]

1.Almost every team parks the bus when they're up. Plenty go on to hold on their lead, we are just cursed.

2.Gio always gets subbed. Aquino isn't even a defensive player, I thought he did fine.

[apalisoc_9]

The Robben call really wasn't that bad, tbh, that was poorly challenged by the defender and he could have received an easy penalty if he had dived earlier(which a pro flopper would take every time).

It was a legit foul. Mexicans complaining...

Also, Greece and Costa Rica wouldn't be that easy of a route as well..Greece is probably the best team at parking the bus and el ticos just beat both Uru and Italy..

For the Millionth time, the gap between Powerhouses 2nd tier, 3rd tier teams aren't as big as it used to be 15 years ago..

Heck no one got embarrassed in this year's world cup..Literally every team has a player or two that plays in Europe and with a significant role..

[DMX7]

He just turned 30. Looks deceive him.

He looks 40.

[velik_m]

It's like... we're cursed.

Or like... not that good.