World Cup: R16: France vs. Argentina. 6/30/2018

[Artorius Horus T]

France 0 Argentina 3 (Messi,Rojo,Aguero)

 

[Frank the Tank]

I mean, how can you not cheer for Argentina. Scenes like this:
(click for gif apparently)



What a specimen.

 

[Eisen]

Need to check Maradona before the game. The guy is out of this reality

Wasn't he in hospital after the last Argentinian game?

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

God, I need to stop being surprised when SEPH says racist shit.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

God, I need to stop being surprised when SEPH says racist ****.

Then says you don't know what that word means... it really is a turnoff.

Anyway pavon might start as well as ADM and messi as the 9. Meaning no real striker since messi will drop back and play CM/AM and 9. While playing a bit of both RW and DM.

I don't trust what Sampa says anymore so I'll assume no Pavon.

 

[Bexlyspeed]

Argentina escaped the jaws of death. they've played some of their worst football to date in this world cup, but they also pulled off a gutsy win to qualify for the knockout stages.
there is no more pressure for them, they are underdogs and I think they will beat France.

 

[Suiteness]

How often did a team with Messi on it been considered such a complete and total underdog?

 

[Havre]

Still waiting for France to “click”.

Definitely my favorite team in the WC (in terms of quality). Should drop Pogba IMO, but I guess that won’t happen and I also guess most would disagree with me so....

Feels a bit stupid saying it considering the players Argentina got, but I would be more surprised if Argentina won than Japan. When was the last time Argentina looked like a proper team? I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw them play together in a way that the team looked better than the parts (like Sweden against Mexico etc).

 

[Bexlyspeed]

How often did a team with Messi on it been considered such a complete and total underdog?

anytime he's played for Argentina lol

 

[Suiteness]

Still waiting for France to “click”.

Definitely my favorite team in the WC (in terms of quality). Should drop Pogba IMO, but I guess that won’t happen and I also guess most would disagree with me so....

If you drop Pogba, you've effectively removed every single bit of creativity there is in the French midfield. Not that Pogba is some masterful playmaker or anything like that but all three goals scored by France came from his runs toward the box. When Deschamps lines up a three man midfield of Pogba-Kanté-Matuidi, he's all they have on that front.

 

[Ceremony]

Looking forward to Messi beating the entire African continent plus some French colonies to win this tournament

 

[John Pedro]

Then says you don't know what that word means... it really is a turnoff.

Anyway pavon might start as well as ADM and messi as the 9. Meaning no real striker since messi will drop back and play CM/AM and 9. While playing a bit of both RW and DM.

I don't trust what Sampa says anymore so I'll assume no Pavon.

Di Maria should be dropped, Pavon and Meza as the wingers.

 

[Evilo]

If you drop Pogba, you've effectively removed every single bit of creativity there is in the French midfield. Not that Pogba is some masterful playmaker or anything like that but all three goals scored by France came from his runs toward the box. When Deschamps lines up a three man midfield of Pogba-Kanté-Matuidi, he's all they have on that front.

Tolisso can be creative and Rabiot obviously is.
Of course one will be on the bench and the other in his couch.

 

[Evilo]

Looking forward to Messi beating the entire African continent plus some French colonies to win this tournament

Nah, he can't face England before the final I think.

 

[canuckking1]

France will win with ease IMO. It's the perfect game for them to click since they won't be facing a team that parks the bus.

 

[gary69]

Messi being the one individual in this tournament I'd like to see winning it all, but this Argentina team has so many flaws, it just doesn't seem to be possible. Although they're not as bad as Argentina in WC'90 (the worst WC finalist since the WW2 at least), there are just too many better teams around this year that can't all be beaten by them.

I predicted France to win the Euro 2016, and I think they're even better this time (especially with forwards), so I'd consider them favourites again. Won't be a massacre, but probably 2-0 or 3-1 for France.

 

[N o o d l e s]

I was envisioning France avenging the Euros against Portugal next round, so I have to go with France. Wasn’t anticipating them playing Argentina, though.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Di Maria should be dropped, Pavon and Meza as the wingers.

Meza should be banished from Argentina

 

[Adele Dazeem]

France lose. Karma for not bringing Benzema.

 

[Adele Dazeem]

Meza should be banished from Argentina

I dont understand why they wont play two underneath a striker.
Something like

Aguero/Higuain
Dybala Messi
Di Maria Banega Pavon

 

[canuckking1]

Meza should be banished from Argentina

Higuaín as well. Worse finishing ability I've seen in awhile.

 

[Kap-the-Head]

Argentina 3-2...

 

[Havre]

If you drop Pogba, you've effectively removed every single bit of creativity there is in the French midfield. Not that Pogba is some masterful playmaker or anything like that but all three goals scored by France came from his runs toward the box. When Deschamps lines up a three man midfield of Pogba-Kanté-Matuidi, he's all they have on that front.

Tolisso as mentioned. And if you go more 2-3-1 then both Fekir and Lemar could play instead of Pogba and be just as creative (more I would argue). All better alternatives in my opinion.

And with players like Dembele, Griezmann and Mbappe up front you don´t need that much "creativity" in midfield. As for runs Matuidi is capable of making those as well if he is asked to.

 

[maclean]

Argentina 3-2...

If the score goes that way for either team I'd be overjoyed. Can't help but worry that despite the quality of both teams we're going to see a 1-0 result here.

 

[maclean]

Ugh, an hour and a bit till game time and I still have like four hours of work to do. Working on the weekend is the worst anyhow, but especially when it's beautiful outside and there's a big game coming on