QuoteI dunno. Argentina should have scored a few times after all, they weren't parking the bus entirely. I'm not sure what kind of acceptable rule changes would result in attacking football becoming the standard.
Bit of a damp squib of a final alright. First half very good; second half on not so.
Though really, the tournament dipped from the quarters on. It probably couldn't keep up the quality of the earlier rounds, and Brazil v Germany was enjoyable, but it's interesting that the bigger teams were generally all able to stifle wins out of their game but maybe naive opponents. After the group stages, I don't think there was a single upset. Club level has been similar (thinking Mourinho in particular, and many CL finals have been dull, cagey affairs). Really hope this isn't the way football is going, but maybe it's too late. In the first 13 World Cup Finals (up to 1986), every single team scored. 1990 was the first time a team failed to score in the final; since then, only once have both teams scored. 1994 was the first 0-0 draw; the last two finals have been 0-0s (after 90 minutes anyway)
Is there any rule changes that could change this trend? Is there a need to change it?
I dunno. Argentina should have scored a few times after all, they weren't parking the bus entirely. I'm not sure what kind of acceptable rule changes would result in attacking football becoming the standard.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Argentina didn't score because Higuain had a stinker. Germany took 110 minutes to score because they only brought one striker to the competition and he's not anywhere near as athletic as he used to be. If either side had their shooting boots on it could have been 3, 4+.
It's not that Argentina parked the bus necessarily; it's more that there's maybe more focus on an organised defence, which is becoming increasingly difficult to break down.Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
Interesting too that a lot of the top players had bad tournaments. Higuain as Charlie says. Messi vanished from the quarters (having done very well up to then). David Luiz and Gerrard obviously were wojus (maybe they're not top top players, but the extent to which they underperformed gets them an inclusion anyway). Ronaldo. Van Persie didn't do much after the Spain game. Xavi and Casillas stand out for Spain. Dzeko for Bosnia? Hazard. Maybe Lahm until he went to full back.
Neuer should have won the Golden Ball I think.
Finally, a couple of my favourite images from recent games. This is Fred's heat map against Germany. Spent most of the time tipping off again -
And I'm sure we all spotted this last night -
Strange question. Pal of mine claimed much the same about the Germans. Told him to take his head out of his anal orifice...
If it was anyone Israel would object to, probably Russia/Polska and Iran/Egypt? Though their pariah status means we're stuck with them in Europe which is a joke.
The players generally tried hard, but in terms of attacking quality Argentina barely turned up as their forwards were largely anonymous.
I didn't think it was that bad a final. It was tense, fairly open with both teams having chances and was decided by a terrific goal. It wasn't as if both teams shut up shop completely. Neuer was great once again and maybe should have won the Golden Ball on second thoughts. I certainly don't think Messi did enough throughout the tournament to deserve it.
It was great to see Schweinsteiger emotional (not in the way portrayed above) at the end of the game. You'd imagine he would be the last to shed a tear as I always think he is quite similar to Roy Keane, on the field in particular. I had tipped Germany at the start of the campaign but then thought perhaps it is Messi's destiny to win the Cup - I pay more heed to such things compared to whether one team is better than the other.
I was delighted to see the Cup won by a goal rather than a penalty shoot-out. Messi seemed a spent force (by his standards) and so lethargic on occasions. On form he was such a live wire for Barca chasing back but when he lost the ball in Brazil, more often than not he did a Ronaldo.
Enjoyable game which Argentina might have won but which Germany probably deservedly came out on top. If you beat Brazil and Argentina in the knock out stages, you'll usually end up champion.
Now, time to get back talking to the wife again. I wonder how has she been the last month or so.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
Obviously, offering more points for a win enhances the value of scoring more goals than your opponent in a league or group-stage scenario, but I'm not sure how you could add extra value to winning in a knock-out scenario so as to encourage more goal-scoring as you can't really offer anything further than simple progression to the next round.
In saying that, I don't think last night's final was played in an overly conservative manner by either team. The lack of goals was primarily down to a mix of good goalkeeping and the inability of talented players who would have done better had they been more composed to take some great chances.
Himself and Klose shared an emotional embrace before it was disrupted by Boateng pulling at their shoulders. I think they've both been around that squad for so long now and knew this was their last chance to win a World Cup, so they could finally say, "At last! We've done it." Nice to see such team spirit, as you say.It was great to see Schweinsteiger emotional (not in the way portrayed above
I've got it. Automatic qualification for the next World Cup to whichever team scores the most goals. One for knock-outs, one for group stages. That would be the Netherlands and Croatia respectively this time around.
Last edited by NeverFeltBetter; 14/07/2014 at 1:14 PM.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Anyone else think Neuer should have been penalised for his Schumacher on Higuain?
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
Anyone else catch this?
https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/CB6...8szjDOtzLHjc7w
Last edited by strangeirish; 14/07/2014 at 9:42 PM.
Did you ever notice that in every painting of Adam & Eve, they have belly buttons. Think about that...take as long as you want.
Absolutely. And both Aguero and Mascherano should have gotten second yellows before the end as well.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Aguero definitely. Don't remember Mascherano's second yellow-able offence.
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
Have to say Neuer had eyes only for (and got) the ball for me. Good keeping. Though at least one person I was watching with did mention Toni Schumacher.
SI - the Vlaar penalty is covered a couple of pages back
if an outfield player had gone up to head the ball with his knee up like Neuer had it would be a foul. very reckless and a foul all day long for me
Anyone got the video of this, don't recall the incident...
Last edited by ArdeeBhoy; 15/07/2014 at 9:00 AM.
Last edited by osarusan; 15/07/2014 at 8:54 AM.
Yeah, I agree with this. Keepers aren't exempt from thr rules, and not seeing the player isn't an excuse either.
oh, he knew higuain was there ok..... that's why he went in with his knee up. at minimum a yellow card
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