Yeah, I expect France to be favored over Argentina. They just have more experience, depth, and quality throughout the lineup. Plus, a big height advantage on set pieces.

Messi is a difference maker but so is Mbappe. Argentina haven't faced anyone like him yet.
[Reply]

no disrespect to morroco, but i've seen enough of them tbh. i'd much rather have a messi-mbappe final.
[Reply]

I don't think their gimmick is going to last against France. Then again, France dropped a game to Tunisia, so who knows.
[Reply]

What is their "gimmick"? They've won 5 out of 6 matches and are undefeated in the tournament. They've put out 3 teams that most people would have considered contenders. Getting to the semifinal isn't a fluke.
[Reply]

i guess it's not a "fluke" per se but they are very defensive and have been behind on xG in most (all?) of their matches. not that stats tell the whole story, but i doubt they could replicate getting to the semis too many times if you could somehow run a world cup like 100 times.
[Reply]

We want France to win so that the Ref team from the US is the best option for the game. He is from Morocco so he cannot ref them during WC.
[Reply]

I think the final will have the English ref.

Argentina played well vs Croatia - if they could have kept it 1-0 for most of the match they would have found the tie… Croatia was the king of coming from behind and going the distance. Argentina was too much.

Not taking out Romero when he is your only tall guy (like they did vs the Netherlands) made sure that they couldn’t have air superiority. That was probably the only mistake by the Argentina coach in the tourney… maybe his subs in the first game vs Saudi Arabia.

I’m putting the Arg / Netherlands behind - but just to clarify… Messi was hot because the red added 11 min to an affair that probably only needed 7. Shoot, there was 2 goals, 2 pk’s full subs, multiple var checks and England / France went 4-5 min I think lol

He was upset with VG prior to the game. Again, it boiled over. Messi is no stranger to red cards or scuffles. He’s not a little bitch and he doesn’t bitch about everything. Also, I’ve been noticing that some of the things I’m seeing in the press in English - the translations are really bad.

Every soccer player bitches. Messi doesn’t dive / tries to play the ball and he’s gained that respect from refs / pundits. We are truly seeing him at his best - and yes he’s 35 years old.

I can’t believe modric was 37.
[Reply]

Taylor might but no way Oliver gets it.
[Reply]

Their gimmick is to play defense/tackle soccer. There's a reason they were outshot 2 to 1 against Spain, and only had 23% possession. Same against Portugal 26% possession. They had a few more shots in that game, but Portugal still out shot their team, and IMO Portugal was the inferior team to Spain which is why there were more chances vs Portugal.

When you're not even in the 30% of possession in games, but are winning by single scores, or PK's? It's cause you are playing a defensive/counter game. They aren't a good team, teams have just had issues scoring on them and Morocco has also seen a lot of luck in this tournament (See the chances portugal/spain had).
[Reply]

It is a penalty because the attacker chipped the ball to a spot that he could have reached without being hindered by the GK. If his chip was clearly a shot at goal it might not be a penalty.
[Reply]

I’m really pulling for Messi to get this W. Seems like a great dude and absolutely the GOAT.
[Reply]

Good defense isn’t a gimmick in the knockout rounds. Portugal may have had more shots and possession, but they were by no means the better team. If Morocco can steal a goal on a good counter tomorrow they definitely have a good enough team to hold on for the win.
[Reply]

We aren’t arguing if they have a good enough team though….
[Reply]

I didn’t think it was clear the player could have played the ball again, so I’m not 100% sure he really denied a goal scoring opportunity.

I’d have given it, I just think there’s a little doubt there perhaps.
[Reply]

This PK years ago would also be a red card. Rules no longer allow this. The goalie committed an infraction and didn’t even touch the ball. He was the last man. This was an easy call for the ref. And VAR verified it.

Outside of the box, this is a straight red for the goalie.

I’m glad They didn’t call a hand ball on the deflection when it was next to his body (even though he used his arm to deflect on purpose) that would have been weak.
[Reply]