2022/23 Soccer Thread: Finals Week(s)

Prederick wrote:
Mr Bismarck wrote:

He just wants to win!

Money.

AND his coach wasn't thrilled with how he reacted to being substituted against South Korea.

Kinda amazing though, none of the European clubs of the caliber he wants to play for want him.

The timing is a tad interesting.

You would figure the same deal is available in 2 weeks and if he was a World Cup winner the price would only go up.

Instead grab the money now.

Am I a bad person if I think Switzerland knocking out Portugal would be the funniest thing on earth?

Prederick wrote:

Am I a bad person if I think Switzerland knocking out Portugal would be the funniest thing on earth?

Not as funny as Croatia defeating Brasil and doing a little prepped dance when they score, not sure if that makes me a worse person?

Spoiler:

I think the Brasil dance moves are more about team spirit than malice, but it would sure motivate the heck out of me in an alternate universe where I'm talented enough to play against them.

Prederick wrote:

Am I a bad person if I think Switzerland knocking out Portugal would be the funniest thing on earth?

I think this is - almost - entirely dependant on whether or not Ronaldo plays. If he doesn’t I think Portugal will canter to a win

If he does I think that’ll suit Switzerland to the ground and they’ll grind out a win.

Prederick wrote:

Am I a bad person if I think Switzerland knocking out Portugal would be the funniest thing on earth?

Just because of Ronaldo?

It's the second closest game going into this round by the bookies (they had Japan Croatia almost a coin flip).

Switzerland are not winning the the whole thing but they could be this tournaments Croatia and find themselves in the final with some breaks their way.

Morocco beating Spain would be funnier IMO.

Croatia will lose the next one. They were dying against Japan.

I can see both Morocco (it looks like they're playing against Man. City) and Switzerland going through today.
I keep repeating myself, but Portugal under this coach is pure misery in official games. I have zero confidence.

Switzerland knocked out France in the Euros last summer and were beaten only on penalties by Spain. They are much better than most people are giving them credit for.

(Cue a 4-0 loss to Portugal...)

Why are Spain playing in the Manchester City home kit? It’s very odd.

Tasty Pudding wrote:

Switzerland knocked out France in the Euros last summer and were beaten only on penalties by Spain. They are much better than most people are giving them credit for.

(Cue a 4-0 loss to Portugal...)

Ya my comparison to them being Croatia was what Croatia did in 2018. Find yourself in the semis and make the final with everyone knowing you will lose to the top ranked team. This time Brazil instead of France in 2018.

Could start here with Morocco 'upsetting' Spain to make the path easier for the Swiss.

Sorbicol wrote:

Why are Spain playing in the Manchester City home kit? It’s very odd.

They want to lose in single elimination tournaments apparently.

Spain used all of their goals in the 7-0 win over Costa Rica.

And Ronaldo has been dropped from starting against Switzerland. The banter merchants will be having a FIELD DAY.

IMAGE(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Bono_U2_360_Tour_2011.jpg/220px-Bono_U2_360_Tour_2011.jpg)

"Okay Spain. You've failed to score in 120 minutes of football. Here, have five attempts to score from 12 yards out with 192 square feet to aim at and only the keeper to beat. Surely you can get the ball in the net at least once?"

Spain: "..."

I thought the Japanese were poor at penalties.

Come on Switzerland!

Prederick wrote:

And Ronaldo has been dropped from starting against Switzerland. The banter merchants will be having a FIELD DAY.

I confess. I never imagined Fernando Santos would do this. I award him positive points in my book. He still has a negative balance, mind you.
Gonçalo Ramos will play instead. He's the striker for Benfica.

So, my gut feeling was right for Morocco but I didn't think they would go to penalties. Hope I'm wrong for the other game.

slazev wrote:
Prederick wrote:

And Ronaldo has been dropped from starting against Switzerland. The banter merchants will be having a FIELD DAY.

I confess. I never imagined Fernando Santos would do this. I award him positive points in my book. He still has a negative balance, mind you. :D

And Ronaldo allegedly didn't come out to warm up with the team.

This dude is amazing.

So far on UK TV coverage of the game they've been on for about 40 minutes.

Of that about 8 minutes has been adverts, 4 minutes has been Switzerland and the other 28 minutes has all been about Ronaldo.

I was sick of it 10 years ago.

For the haters don't worry you can keep on going as Pepe is still around.

Being wrong actually feels pretty alright, guys. I recommend it.

That fingertip save on the rebound header was ridiculous

Tasty Pudding wrote:

Switzerland knocked out France in the Euros last summer and were beaten only on penalties by Spain. They are much better than most people are giving them credit for.

(Cue a 4-0 loss to Portugal...)

Erm.

4-1, at least?

Sorbicol wrote:

I think this is - almost - entirely dependant on whether or not Ronaldo plays. If he doesn’t I think Portugal will canter to a win

If he does I think that’ll suit Switzerland to the ground and they’ll grind out a win.

Just going to point out I called this.

(This doesn't happen very often so I'm going to enjoy it!)

Ramos agent is already writing the cheque to Santos.

Enzo is playing well for Argentina. Gonçalo now. Benfica gets more millions in January and loses all the titles. (Trying to see if I can be wrong again.)

Ronaldo setting fire to his career by revealing what an awful person he is to the world is great. I mean smart people always knew this but to see him act like the child because he can't have it his way is a brilliant watch.

It belongs in a museum

IMAGE(https://i.imgur.com/gV2gd5t.png)

Portugal going Gangbusters with Ronaldo on the bench is even better than Portugal getting knocked out.

Feel a bit better about Canada going out in the group stage (not there I felt all that bad) with both Morocco and Croatia getting through to the quarterfinals. Even with Roberto Martinez doing Roberto Martinez things it wasn't an easy group!

Jeez, the Cristiano hate here is strong.

Dimmerswitch wrote:

(CR7 lovely art)

You cannot win against perfection.
IMAGE(https://i.pinimg.com/474x/3a/2c/26/3a2c2646c92279d0eafbd62ca1cba0ad.jpg)

Not a bad day today. Not a bad day at all...