OT: World Cup semi-finals. Any thoughts or picks?

Submitted by Amazinblu on December 13th, 2022 at 1:24 PM

The World Cup semi-finals (an equivalent of the CFP) will kickoff within an hour.   There are two matches - one today, and one tomorrow - before the finals take place this weekend.

The match schedule:

Argentina vs Croatia - today, 2:00 pm EDT, and

France vs Morocco - tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2:00 pm EDT.

This appears to be the "swan song" for Messi, and France is the defending champion.

One thing that strikes me is how "good", or how "poor" certain teams have been in their penalty kicks (and, I'm especially looking at Brazil and Spain).

I don't have a horse in the matches, and just look forward to the play.

Are you following the World Cup?   If so, any preferences or predictions?

 

The Denarding

December 13th, 2022 at 2:50 PM ^

France…lots and lots of France.   I’ve made a lot of money on Morocco but they have benefited from playing two teams that are very vulnerable to counter attack.  

Joined: 11/29/2010

MGoPoints: 1679

Romeo50

December 13th, 2022 at 2:56 PM ^

Mostly nothing happens as the crowd noise drones on and this is interrupted by referees arbitrarily deciding outcomes based on country loyalty/graft. Rinse and repeat in 4 long years. 

But I hear its great. 

Joined: 03/09/2013

MGoPoints: 17086

truferblue22

December 13th, 2022 at 3:04 PM ^

Argentina and Morocco. Would be fine with either winning. 

 

Sounds like the French team has an illness running through the team. Morocco's got a great chance of reaching the final...

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 13364

Blue Middle

December 13th, 2022 at 3:46 PM ^

France, to me, has always been the favorite, and I've seen nothing to change my mind in the tournament so far.  I have no love for the French so this isn't because I want them to win, they just seem like the most talented side.

That said, this tournament has been SHOCKING, and I'm not sure Americans fully appreciate some of the story lines.  Germany and Spain's early exit, Morocco's success, Japan, South Korea, and Australia advancing...some big surprises.

I hate games being decided by penalty kicks.  It's stupid and needs to be fixed.  My proposal is that offsides is eliminated in extra time.  That would be a fun way to test if the rule should even continue during regular time...

After the US's run ended, I was hoping the Dutch would get their first chip.  One of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far was the progress of the USMNT in terms of technical skill: to have a Dutch side concede the midfield was pretty telling.  The USMNT could be a contender in 2026.

I still don't believe in Argentina, though I love Messi and would love to see him win (certainly over France).  They have just proven too many times that they're not to be trusted on the biggest stage.  And, yes, I still feel that way as they finish their unloading of Croatia (an overachieving side).

Finally, I'm EXTREMELY disappointed in FIFA, and have only watched the US games so far.  I've stuck to highlights with everything else.  I can't support an event in Qatar beyond that, for lots of reasons, and think the event itself has been a disaster.  In my heart of hearts, I wish that several teams had gotten together and refused to play if rainbows, armbands, and other types of completely appropriate political dissent were not allowed.  If Germany, France, the US, and England had all threatened to bail on the even at the last minute, I think FIFA would have been forced to capitulate.  But, as is often the case, the nations are too afraid of FIFA's power and failed to exercise their own.

Looking forward to a more supportable event in N. America in 2026.

Joined: 01/07/2019

MGoPoints: 5265

snarling wolverine

December 13th, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^

Whoa there man.  The Dutch aren’t that good, and they beat us with ease.

 We’re better than we used to be, but unless we get a huge dose of home cooking from the refs, we’re not contending in 2026.

As for the armband issue, I don’t think it was really about fearing FIFA, as much as that the average player probably valued playing in a World Cup more than taking a (probably futile) political stand.

Joined: 12/14/2011

MGoPoints: 98632

Zoltanrules

December 14th, 2022 at 12:01 AM ^

If you don't believe in Argentina, you didn't watch today's game. They are playing better with each match, winning most 1 v 1s  and Messi is on a mission. Their dismantling of Croatia was one of the more impressive complete team efforts of the tournament,

France has wonderful talent but take too many risks that they don't need to letting teams hang around. Should be a great final.

Joined: 08/23/2009

MGoPoints: 21629