2022 FIFA World Cup

[GoBills808]

12 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I'm not doubting anyone's love or appreciation of the game or their authenticity.  I get it that other sports have their own vocabulary and in discussing those sports its a natural thing to do. 

 

Its just funny to me that in doing so we use our posh voices. Especially, since soccer fans as a group are notoriously boorish, violent, hooligans.  

It's just different vocab for different sports

 

Unconscious usually when discussing soccer vs football tbh

 

23 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Unlucky?  They were being dominated in the first half. Actually lucky they weren't down by 2 when Sargent hit the post on his header.

Wales were at least as dangerous second half as we were in the first

 

Their plan was better imo, for all the talk about the new US approach this looked very much like the plucky underdogs not knowing how to handle the big stage but without the grittiness of a Donovan/Dempsey or going back further McBride etc etc

 

 

[Jauronimo]

Just now, GoBills808 said:

It's just different vocab for different sports

 

Unconscious usually when discussing soccer vs football tbh

 

Why are you ashamed to be an American?   These are the people you're trying to impress:

 

[muppy]

countless millions of people witnessing USA TIE Wales.  I take it that we were supposed to beat this team handily?

 

Senor muppy (hubby) is retired premiere leagues youth soccer Coach Class B license. He will set his clock for games come hell or high water.

 

I hope USA does well in the tournament. I am very novice.

 

m

[GoBills808]

Sets up for the remainder of crap group stage too

 

Will have to play for draw vs England and hope to beat Iran by more than do Wales

 

Just a bummer of a result to drop those points

[Logic]

I subscribed to Peacock so that I could get all the World Cup games...only to discover that only Spanish audio is available! 😅

It's fine. Spanish commentary is much more exciting and excitable than English commentary. 

[BritBill]

10 hours ago, Jauronimo said:

 

Its just funny to me that in doing so we use our posh voices. Especially, since soccer fans as a group are notoriously boorish, violent, hooligans.  

Probably the most ironically ignorant American thing I’ve ever read. 

[muppy]

#17 repping USA while digging out. this pic is interesting on many levels. What is up with that shovel...? Ive never seen anything like it. Dude is shoveling his own snow??  in a team USA shirt? hahahaa

Edited November 22, 2022 by muppy

[US Egg]

There must have been dancin’ in the streets in Saudi Arabia today.

…..if that is allowed there.

[LewPort71]

I wonder how much beer or other adult beverages will be consumed celebrating the Saudi victory.

 

[Jauronimo]

6 hours ago, BritBill said:

Probably the most ironically ignorant American thing I’ve ever read. 

Its not even debatable.  Soccer is the only sport whose fans have essentially started gangs who engage in mass violence and regularly commit hate crimes.  Its why soccer is regularly played in empty stadiums.  I can't think of another sport where riots started by fans result in mass casualties.  One this year resulted in 125 deaths. Its not even the worst one unfortunately.  And its not confined to one region either.  This behavior is seen in Europe, South America, Latin America, Asia, and Africa/Middle East.  These are facts, Bill.   

[Logic]

Not that I don't want this thread to devolve into an argument about the comparative behavior of soccer and NFL fans, but...

HOLY *****! I woke up this morning to see that Saudi Arabia had beaten Argentina? What the what?!

Excellent, thorough, and poetically written summary of the game for those who, like me, missed it.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/22/sports/argentina-saudi-arabia-score-world-cup

 

This time was supposed to be different. For Lionel Messi, this time was not supposed to end like all of the others, with those slumping shoulders, that distant stare, that hollow grimace.

Qatar was not supposed to be as bad as what happened to arguably the greatest player of all time in the colors of Barcelona on those nights in Rome and Liverpool and Lisbon, let alone in the albiceleste of Argentina in Rio de Janeiro. And, in a way, it wasn’t. It was worse.

Argentina arrived in Qatar with the sole ambition of ensuring that Messi’s final World Cup would be remembered as the one which bathed his legacy in the brilliant, golden glow only this tournament, this ultimate triumph, can confer.

Instead, it must now face the haunting possibility that it will forever be synonymous with one of its darkest humiliations, one of the greatest upsets in the World Cup’s history.

For Argentina, losing to Saudi Arabia was not just a defeat; it was an embarrassment, an ignominy, a stigma scarred into Argentine skin in front of 88,000 people, streamed live on television and beamed around the world. By the end, as the delirious Saudi substitutes swarmed onto the field, Argentina’s players seemed visibly diminished, their faces drawn, their eyes hunted.....



.....

All is not yet lost, of course. Argentina still has two games to avert disaster, to spare its blushes; beat Mexico and Poland in the remaining two group games and, on the surface, losing to Saudi Arabia will have done no lasting damage. That defeat to Cameroon in 1990, after all, did not prevent Diego Maradona leading his team all the way to the World Cup final. This is not the end of Messi’s tournament. It may be nothing more than a false start.

In the moment, as Messi and his teammates gathered in a tight bunch in the middle of the field, as if huddling together for safety and for security and warmth, it did not feel like that. Instead, it seemed as if something had come undone in the white heat of Lusail’s afternoon sun. This time was supposed to be different. All of a sudden, for Messi and for Argentina, it all felt exactly the same.

 

[Big Turk]

Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia despite outshooting them 15-3, having a 70-30% possession edge and having 3 goals disallowed in the first 35 minutes due to Offside, one to VAR review was basically like Bills-Dolphins or Bills-Vikings. They lost a game they had no business losing.

Edited November 22, 2022 by Big Turk

[LeGOATski]

How hard is it to stay onside. Argentina forwards were incredibly lazy all day just walking back. How about a light jog to get back onside. Would that have been too much? And I get that you want an edge, but after the first couple times, they should've held back and just trusted their skill vs an inferior opponent. So many missed opportunities.

 

 

What's up with these refs waiting so long to put the offside flag up, anyway?

Edited November 22, 2022 by LeGOATski

[Just Jack]

3 hours ago, muppy said:

 What is up with that shovel...? Ive never seen anything like it. 

 

It's supposed to save your back while shoveling, that you don't have to lean over so much.  But they forget, you now have to lift the shovel that much higher to throw it over the bank. 

[muppy]

Just now, Just Jack said:

 

It's supposed to save your back while shoveling, that you don't have to lean over so much.  But they forget, you now have to lift the shovel that much higher to throw it over the bank. 

I figured ergonomics was the reason but it looks awkward to me. What do I know smh I havent even seen snow in decades. 

[Logic]

That Australian goal was a thing of beauty.

[US Egg]

The Saudi’s have sparked the Middle east.

 

This time, I think it is a good thing.

[Logic]

France pouring it on now.

[gobills404]

 

[US Egg]

Burning of the Notre Dame Cathedral still seems sinister.

 

It was a head butt to the French.

 

Go France!

[ShakAttack]

I am 75% Iranian and I was old enough to witness Iran vs. USA in the 1998 World Cup.  USA is my "second" team, since it is where I was born and raised, after all, but I became obsessed with the Iranian national team in 1998 for many of the same reasons I became a Buffalo Bills fan as a kid growing up:   They were the ultimate underdog. 

 

And since the Buffalo Bills have never won a Super Bowl, and since they lost "13 seconds" and every other miraculous playoff game we have played in involves us losing in the end (besides "The Comeback" which I vaguely remember but was just a bit too young to fully appreciate,    Iran's win over the U.S. in 1998 would probably have to rank as my favorite moment as a sports fan.

 

I say "probably" because the moment we ended the playoff drought on Andy Dalton's 4th down TD to Tyler Boyd just might actually have it beat.  

 

And if we were on the winning end of "13 seconds" it would have been no contest at all... That would have been my greatest sports moment of all-time... In fact, it is kind of sad because after Allen tossed the go-ahead TD with 13 seconds left, I ran around the house yelling something along the lines of  "THIS IS THE BEST MOMENT IN MY LIFETIME AS A BILLS FAN!!!!!!!!" 

 

Anyway... Where am I going with all of this... 

 

All of this is to say... MAN... the Saudi Arabia upset over Argentina today was just miraculous.  In 2014,  Iran lost to Argentina 1-0 and it was celebrated by the country as if they won; the most impressive match they had ever played.    It really feels like Saudi Arabia accomplished what Iran was unable to pull off that day. 

 

It's just not supposed to happen!  I mean, 100% of the Saudi roster plays for Saudi club teams, while Argentina is essentially an international all-star team.  

 

Every now and then the question comes up "Can a really good college FB team beat the worst NFL team?"  And almost always the answer is a resounding "NO" 

 

But I think what happened today in the World Cup was the the soccer equivalent of a college FB team beating a pro team... And that is just incredible. 

 

Indeed, Argentina blew it, but once the Saudis had the lead, I could not believe some of the saves made by the goal-keeper to hang on, especially the save in the 100th minute... WOW....

 

It's kinda funny, I'm a more casual soccer fan and I do not follow the sport year-round, but every 4 years when the World Cup returns, I am quickly reminded why it is my 2nd favorite sport to watch.  There are some remarkable moments in this sport.

[US Egg]

4 minutes ago, BobBelcher said:

It’s kinda funny, I'm a more casual soccer fan and I do not follow the sport year-round, but every 4 years when the World Cup returns, I am quickly reminded why it is my 2nd favorite sport to watch.  There are some remarkable moments in this sport.

Well said.

[Logic]

5 minutes ago, BobBelcher said:

I am 75% Iranian and I was old enough to witness Iran vs. USA in the 1998 World Cup.  USA is my "second" team, since it is where I was born and raised, after all, but I became obsessed with the Iranian national team in 1998 for many of the same reasons I became a Buffalo Bills fan as a kid growing up:   They were the ultimate underdog. 

 

And since the Buffalo Bills have never won a Super Bowl, and since they lost "13 seconds" and every other miraculous playoff game we have played in involves us losing in the end (besides "The Comeback" which I vaguely remember but was just a bit too young to fully appreciate,    Iran's win over the U.S. in 1998 would probably have to rank as my favorite moment as a sports fan.

 

I say "probably" because the moment we ended the playoff drought on Andy Dalton's 4th down TD to Tyler Boyd just might actually have it beat.  

 

And if we were on the winning end of "13 seconds" it would have been no contest at all... That would have been my greatest sports moment of all-time... In fact, it is kind of sad because after Allen tossed the go-ahead TD with 13 seconds left, I ran around the house yelling something along the lines of  "THIS IS THE BEST MOMENT IN MY LIFETIME AS A BILLS FAN!!!!!!!!" 

 

Anyway... Where am I going with all of this... 

 

All of this is to say... MAN... the Saudi Arabia upset over Argentina today was just miraculous.  In 2014,  Iran lost to Argentina 1-0 and it was celebrated by the country as if they won; the most impressive match they had ever played.    It really feels like Saudi Arabia accomplished what Iran was unable to pull off that day. 

 

It's just not supposed to happen!  I mean, 100% of the Saudi roster plays for Saudi club teams, while Argentina is essentially an international all-star team.  

 

Every now and then the question comes up "Can a really good college FB team beat the worst NFL team?"  And almost always the answer is a resounding "NO" 

 

But I think what happened today in the World Cup was the the soccer equivalent of a college FB team beating a pro team... And that is just incredible. 

 

Indeed, Argentina blew it, but once the Saudis had the lead, I could not believe some of the saves made by the goal-keeper to hang on, especially the save in the 100th minute... WOW....

 

It's kinda funny, I'm a more casual soccer fan and I do not follow the sport year-round, but every 4 years when the World Cup returns, I am quickly reminded why it is my 2nd favorite sport to watch.  There are some remarkable moments in this sport.

Great post, thanks.

I didn't get to watch the Argentina match, as I live on the west coast and it was on at 2am my time, but what an astounding outcome! And in the "win one for Messi" World Cup, no less!

I think it's super interesting any time a massive underdog wins a game they "have no business winning". All the more so when the team they're going up against is arguably the best in the world (or at least top two or three). The fact that Saudi Arabia did so in Qatar makes it all the more special for them. 

Sorry your guys ran into the buzzsaw that is the English national team yesterday. My goodness, they were impressive. Hell of a team to draw for your first matchup of the tournament.



 

[LewPort71]

At the end of the US...Wales match, my buddies and I at the bar decided it was worth the early wake up to watch Saudi...Argentina.

Luckily it began at 5:00 here on the East coast.  The atmosphere and the crowd noise was deafening on the broadcast.  Many 

"can you believe this"  texts were flying back and forth.  Great win for the  Saudis and this group is in turmoil.

France musta watched the match as they did not let Australia pull off the upset.

 

I still can not believe the size of the Mexican crowd during their contest.  70% of the crowd ?

 

[Logic]

Japan with the second big upset of this young tournament. 

Everyone who had Argentina and Germany losing to Saudi Arabia and Japan respectively, raise your hand. 😳

[US Egg]

Never thought Germany be facing a consecutive WC group exit, but, with Spain next…..?

 

 

 

 

[GoBills808]

Japanese always tough out

[That's No Moon]

46 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

Japanese always tough out

Harry Truman agrees.

[US Egg]

59 minutes ago, Bandito said:

So Japan wins the battle of Axis Powers. Hoping Belgium takes down Canadah

Canada playing well, sort of taking it to high ranked Belgium, who look a bit befuddled. Good game, so far. 
 

Edit: Spoke too soon, Belgium buries their 1st good chance, 42’. Canada has had more, to no avail.

 

At half. Canada got jobbed on a bad miss by refs.

Edited November 23, 2022 by I am the egg man

[Bill from NYC]

Why are they playig this time of year. Don't they usually play in the summer?

[Jauronimo]

8 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Why are they playig this time of year. Don't they usually play in the summer?

Because its in Qatar and summer weather in Qatar is ridiculously hot.

 

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/Qatar- World-Cup-November-Winter-Summer/lbimjdtaysxdxbuuxp30btt5

[Kevbeau]

9 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Why are they playig this time of year. Don't they usually play in the summer?

Heat in Qatar can approach 120f in the summer

[Buffalo716]

23 hours ago, BobBelcher said:

I am 75% Iranian and I was old enough to witness Iran vs. USA in the 1998 World Cup.  USA is my "second" team, since it is where I was born and raised, after all, but I became obsessed with the Iranian national team in 1998 for many of the same reasons I became a Buffalo Bills fan as a kid growing up:   They were the ultimate underdog. 

 

And since the Buffalo Bills have never won a Super Bowl, and since they lost "13 seconds" and every other miraculous playoff game we have played in involves us losing in the end (besides "The Comeback" which I vaguely remember but was just a bit too young to fully appreciate,    Iran's win over the U.S. in 1998 would probably have to rank as my favorite moment as a sports fan.

 

I say "probably" because the moment we ended the playoff drought on Andy Dalton's 4th down TD to Tyler Boyd just might actually have it beat.  

 

And if we were on the winning end of "13 seconds" it would have been no contest at all... That would have been my greatest sports moment of all-time... In fact, it is kind of sad because after Allen tossed the go-ahead TD with 13 seconds left, I ran around the house yelling something along the lines of  "THIS IS THE BEST MOMENT IN MY LIFETIME AS A BILLS FAN!!!!!!!!" 

 

Anyway... Where am I going with all of this... 

 

All of this is to say... MAN... the Saudi Arabia upset over Argentina today was just miraculous.  In 2014,  Iran lost to Argentina 1-0 and it was celebrated by the country as if they won; the most impressive match they had ever played.    It really feels like Saudi Arabia accomplished what Iran was unable to pull off that day. 

 

It's just not supposed to happen!  I mean, 100% of the Saudi roster plays for Saudi club teams, while Argentina is essentially an international all-star team.  

 

Every now and then the question comes up "Can a really good college FB team beat the worst NFL team?"  And almost always the answer is a resounding "NO" 

 

But I think what happened today in the World Cup was the the soccer equivalent of a college FB team beating a pro team... And that is just incredible. 

 

Indeed, Argentina blew it, but once the Saudis had the lead, I could not believe some of the saves made by the goal-keeper to hang on, especially the save in the 100th minute... WOW....

 

It's kinda funny, I'm a more casual soccer fan and I do not follow the sport year-round, but every 4 years when the World Cup returns, I am quickly reminded why it is my 2nd favorite sport to watch.  There are some remarkable moments in this sport.

No college team could ever been an NFL team

 

All the Saudis are professional soccer players… It doesn’t matter what league … they are pros

 

Alabama Tennessee or Georgia Would lose by 30 to the jags or houston or Carolina 

 

They have 70 guys who aren’t professionals… The NFL team has all professionals… 20 future pros won’t Beat 46 current pros 

 

And those 20 future pros on the best team in the country… Lots of them won’t be long term nfl starters 

 

What you witnessed is way more of the equivalent of UB beating Ohio State… a massively under talented team winning 

 

but all the soccer players on the pitch were pros

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by Buffalo716

[US Egg]

2 hours ago, Bandito said:

So Japan wins the battle of Axis Powers. Hoping Belgium takes down Canadah

Oh, Canadah! Sacre bleu! Eh?
 

They played well, no finishers.

[Big Turk]

Wow...2-0 for Iran versus Wales...not a great result for the US.

 

Also not great considering we tied Wales and England destroyed Iran 6-2.

 

Likely the US-Iran game will determine who goes through to the next round. If we manage a tie with England we likely could tie and go through due to goal differential and Wales unlikely to beat England. But a win would be better 

[GoBills808]

1 hour ago, Big Turk said:

Wow...2-0 for Iran versus Wales...not a great result for the US.

 

Also not great considering we tied Wales and England destroyed Iran 6-2.

 

Likely the US-Iran game will determine who goes through to the next round. If we manage a tie with England we likely could tie and go through due to goal differential and Wales unlikely to beat England. But a win would be better 

It's a good result for the US

[PromoTheRobot]

 

Bills Mafia in Qatar today.

[Warcodered]

34 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Bills Mafia in Qatar today.

 

[GoBills808]

Very good half from US

 

conceded possession when they wanted to, defended when they had to, looked dangerous going forward

 

9/10 imo

[LeGOATski]

17 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Wow...2-0 for Iran versus Wales...not a great result for the US.

 

Also not great considering we tied Wales and England destroyed Iran 6-2.

 

Likely the US-Iran game will determine who goes through to the next round. If we manage a tie with England we likely could tie and go through due to goal differential and Wales unlikely to beat England. But a win would be better 

The US need to beat Iran. If they tie, Iran advances and the US is knocked out.