Tag: Argentina

  • World Cup Dispatch: The Final

    Was it the greatest World Cup Final, ever?

    I would say so. Mind you, I have only been paying attention since 2002, which means I only have six Finals under my belt, but nothing in my memory compares to what happened on Sunday.

    Argentina controlling the match for 80 minutes, then France came roaring back to life. Then Extra Time drama; Goals and Fouls! All of it ending with Penalties – terrible, unfair, gut-wrenching Penalty Kicks. It was a show, and Messi and Mbappe didn’t disappoint. Those two guys played like the superstars that they are. And in the end, either outcome would have been impressive. France winning back to back Cups would have been amazing, and something to truly celebrate. But Messi winning it, that was the ending everyone was hoping for; what a cap to end a career on? (Though rumors are already flying that Messi has changed his mind.) At the end of that match, no one could say that both teams didn’t give it their all.

    And because of that, I was left feeling that FIFA and Qatar didn’t deserve that Final, let alone this tournament. Let’s not forget the bribery, the intolerable working conditions for the migrant workers building these stadiums, the authoritarian government, the lack of civil liberties, the inability of players and fans to wear a rainbow. I was left feeling that the bad guys got away with it. Like FIFA was saying to me, “You were entertained, so it wasn’t that bad to get here, right?”

    And I was entertained. Morocco was fun to watch, and made you think that anything was possible, like Brazil losing when they looked unstoppable. Don’t forget about Japan never giving up, and fighting for every ball. The drama of Team USA having to beat Iran to get into the Round of 16. I mean, I could go on and on…

    What I am left with is loving the show, and hating the producers.

    I’m still not happy about that.

    Yet, Tottenham picks up play again on the 26th of December, and there still is the Champions League. And, don’t forget that July 2023 is the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

    Lots of football left to play.

  • ODDS and ENDS: Trump Trading Cards, School Holiday Concerts, and World Cup Prediction

    (Elon is watching…)

    Trump released trading cards yesterday. It was a big announcement, if you haven’t heard. A great number of people who are funnier and fast than me have already jumped on this, and created some spectacular comedy from this shit show. I only bring it up here, because I wonder how many people will be receiving these trading cards for Christmas? And of those who received them, how many actually wanted them? And I also wonder how many cards were given because the giver knew it would piss off the recipient? We do live in polarizing times.

    I love school concerts and recitals. I never thought about them in conjunction with becoming a parent, but it is a requisite activity that parents are required to take part in, or at least sit through. And for the record, it normally is a very cute hour of your life. Having gone to several now, I want to give a shout out to the kid, who is always in the back, who refuses to take part. You know, the kid that just stands there; not mad, or angry, or afraid. They just stand in the back and don’t move. I look forward to seeing who that kid is every year, for sometimes it does change. One year my kid stood in the back and didn’t move. Then the next year she was up front and singing as loud as she could. Tip of the cap to the kid not moving in the back!

    Argentina.

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): France v Morocco

    And here we go, the second leg of the semifinals; France v Morocco. The colony versus their oppressor, at least that’s what I have been reading all day. You could also call it David v Goliath. And then there is Cinderella v The Clock. This could be an amazing match, or it could be a drumming. There is no in-between here – It’s all or nothing.

    I hope it’s not a blowout, like yesterday’s Argentina v Croatia match.

    I will say this, France did not look unstoppable against England, and I will argue that England was the better team out there. I wouldn’t say France looked weak, but they looked vulnerable. Both teams cannot play defensively, and I think France will come out as the aggressor which will only play into Morocco’s hands. For France to win, they have to score quick, and often – try to put the game away by half. If France doesn’t do this, then Morocco has a chance. Morocco will sit back, and wait for their opportunities, as they have proven they know how to be patient. Oh, it’s a long shot, don’t get me wrong, but if there is one team in the world that can make a long shot possible, it’s Morocco.

    That having been said, I’m still picking France.

    UPDATE: I guess I was sort of right about the match. I said France would win, and France won. I also said France would have to score early to win: They scored in the 5th minute. What I got completely wrong was who would be the aggressor and who would wait for their chances. Morocco attacked and had the ball for the majority of the match, but France was the one that seized their opportunities. Won’t lie, I was hoping my prediction was wrong.

    That sets up the final on Sunday: Current World Champion versus the GOAT.

  • World Cup Dispatch: The Past Weekend

    Out of my four predictions I made on Friday, I only got one right; Argentina. I honestly didn’t think Brazil would lose. And as for Morocco, I didn’t even watch the match, except for the final five minutes when I looked at the score. (Shame on me for that one.) I said I liked it when the underdogs won, and Morocco is out there proving everyone wrong. And poor England, just couldn’t get it together when it counted.

    I wanted drama and I got it. Penalty kicks for the win, strong defenses, missed opportunities, and dreams dashed. I don’t know why Brazil didn’t let Neymar take the first kick. I hope Argentina’s goalie becomes a national hero. Morocco is proving that a great defense is still the best offense. And you have to capitalize on your opportunities when they prevent themselves. Sure, Kane should have made that penalty kick, but England had at least three good chances to score, and just couldn’t find the back of the net.

    The semifinal is set, and wouldn’t it be so odd if the final was a rematch between Croatia and France? I think the sentimental favorite is for Argentina to go to the final, so Messi can earn the swan song he so desperately wants. But, don’t count Morocco out just yet. France is a very good team, but Morocco has beat better teams this Cup. And France looked venerable against England.

    But, I will make my wildly incorrect prediction for the Final; Argentina v France.

    Alright world, go prove me wrong.

    (If you like my blog, I’ll like yours!)

  • Wold Cup Dispatch(UPDATE): The Quarterfinals, Day 1

    After a couple of days off, we are back with the first round of the Quarterfinals! It’s a pretty exciting group of teams. You got six former champions, one finalist at the last Cup, and a Cinderella. You have players at the twilight of their careers with one last chance for Cup glory, cementing their status in the Pantheon of legends. You have long standing rivalries, historical conflicts, and one team representing an entire continent and region.

    Drama! Drama! Drama!

    And I do really despise that I’m enjoying this Cup, which is being presented by a corrupt organization, in an authoritarian nation. I feel the evil Caesars of history are asking me, “Are you not entertained?!?”

    Yes, but love is love, and women’s rights are human rights. And I do hope the 2026 Cup puts Rainbow flags on every thing!

    As for the matches, I don’t think Croatia can stop Brazil, who is dancing their way to the semifinals. Netherland v Argentina is a pretty even match up, but I’m going with team Messi on this one. Morocco v Portugal is going to be the heartbreaker match. I love the underdog, but with the way Portugal played last match, I don’t see them losing. And that gets to the match I am really looking forward to: England v France. This one is like a heavyweight fight; two teams slugging it out! Both have superstar goal scorers and deep benches. What I would hate to see is it go to penalties, because France will win. Ung…. C’mon England!

    Alright, let’s have some fun today!

    UPDATE: so… I got that whole “dancing their way to the semifinals” thing with Brazil totally wrong.

    (And, if I may ask; have you enjoyed my nonprofessional perspective and slightly humorous post? If the answer is yes, or an ironic “meh” then feel free to give the blog a like. So, you know, whatever…)