WORLD CUP 2026 THREAD

[Japanese]

Did you watch the game? You are going to put all of that on 1 guy. The entire team played terrible, but yes of course it is 1 guy's fault.

I've seen enough soccer games (and played as well) to know how a golie should act in certain situations. The penalty area in front of the target is also called a golie's field for a reason—in that entire area the golie can catch the ball with his hands at any time and also has advantage over any opposite player, if he's been hit or pushed in any way. In that penalty area the golie is the king.

So, the two fatal golie mistakes are easily seen:
1. Didn't step up and jump to catch the ball when an attacker jumps for a head shot and you can use your hands. (picture below)
2. Came out of that same golie field way too much and than tried to play against an offensive player and screw up.

Those quick two goals so early in the game changed the psychic of the entire team.

That (the picture below) in soccer language is called a golie ball because it's in the small penalty area (the penalty field has small and large areas) and is very easy to catch with hands. You don't look at that ball from so close distance—you go and get it. It's literally a couple yards away from the target.

 

[Japanese]

Meh, move on. I remember years and years ago, some good player, maybe a south American, I don't remember saying..........the world really doesn't want USA to be good at soccer (futbol). Not that this is planned or anything, but I find it entertaining.

I never heard that and don't think is true. The true is that the public doesn't care much about soccer anyway.
Also, I already heard a few people saying:
"Let them play basketball, American football, baseball and hockey, and don't bother playing soccer."—insulting indeed.

However, I think the Argentinian coach did pretty good job for coaching the team only two years since 2024. It looks like the goalie and the defense players need more coaching and experience too.

 

[goblin]

This tournament is going to be won by whoever prevails in the France Vs Spain match. Just my 2cents.

England vs Norway has entered the chat

 

[goblin]

OMG why is this championship so sweet

Egypt scores, then saves a PK... GRAND!!!

 

[SC Maintenance]

Actually, Canada’s loss to Morroco had a 3 point spread as well. A large spread is embarrassing for the losing team. Especially when the forth goal was in the closing seconds of the game.

Yes so unfortunately this is what sports have degraded to. Generally its considered unsportsmanlike to run up the score.

So I can ignore world cup soccer also. Good to know.

When does SEC football start again?

 

[Mr.GTRSpecV]

France

Really? I'd say Spain. Easy to predict the flow of passes from the MF from France. It will be to feed K.M or Dembele.

Spain keeps a high back line, has the best midfield in the game but lack a designated striker. Two philosophies will clash. Besides, they took them on in the Euro already, and put them to bed without much trouble. Anything goes, in reality, this is a coin toss.

England vs Norway has entered the chat

Means nothing honestly. England chokes when it counts the most and they just don't have the discipline.

One stand out player (Halaand) has it all for Norway. But it takes more than one person.

To win the WC you need the chemistry, discipline and tactics. I don't see either of these teams showing it on the scale of the French and Spanish.

 

[TnT_M]

I've seen enough soccer games (and played as well) to know how a golie should act in certain situations. The penalty area in front of the target is also called a golie's field for a reason—in that entire area the golie can catch the ball with his hands at any time and also has advantage over any opposite player, if he's been hit or pushed in any way. In that penalty area the golie is the king.

So, the two fatal golie mistakes are easily seen:
1. Didn't step up and jump to catch the ball when an attacker jumps for a head shot and you can use your hands. (picture below)
2. Came out of that same golie field way too much and than tried to play against an offensive player and screw up.

Those quick two goals so early in the game changed the psychic of the entire team.

That (the picture below) in soccer language is called a golie ball because it's in the small penalty area (the penalty field has small and large areas) and is very easy to catch with hands. You don't look at that ball from so close distance—you go and get it. It's literally a couple yards away from the target.

View attachment 346768

Man, your evidence is laughable! In the frame you can clearly see there is 1 player in white and 4 players in blue, yet is the guy in yellow's fault. The defenders were outplayed 1 on 4 and Belgium scored, but yes, you are right, it is the goalies fault. This is so typical in our society, trying to blame someone else instead of taking the ownership. The team lost, not the goalie. Here is another perspective. Is it the US goalies fault the US only scored 1 goal?

In the end your opinion is he gave up 2 bad goals. Well, they still lose 2-1. Same result, different score. Anyway, I digress. IMO, there is no reason to coach/watch/enjoy sports blaming others for team failures. Take the ownership and move on. Strive to be better next time.

 

[Pablo]

Man, your evidence is laughable! In the frame you can clearly see there is 1 player in white and 4 players in blue, yet is the guy in yellow's fault. The defenders were outplayed 1 on 4 and Belgium scored, but yes, you are right, it is the goalies fault. This is so typical in our society, trying to blame someone else instead of taking the ownership. The team lost, not the goalie. Here is another perspective. Is it the US goalies fault the US only scored 1 goal?

In the end your opinion is he gave up 2 bad goals. Well, they still lose 2-1. Same result, different score. Anyway, I digress. IMO, there is no reason to coach/watch/enjoy sports blaming others for team failures. Take the ownership and move on. Strive to be better next time.

Bingo. I stopped talking with the guy when he basically called me a liar. The goalie (not "golie") 99.9% will hold the line when 2-3 defenders are right on the ball.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Meh, move on. I remember years and years ago, some good player, maybe a south American, I don't remember saying..........the world really doesn't want USA to be good at soccer (futbol). Not that this is planned or anything, but I find it entertaining.

I believe there are elite athletes. People that are mentally and physically many standard deviations in strength and determination beyond the average person. If they started kicking a round ball vs hurling a egg shaped one they would end up playing in the world cup instead. If they were born in ancient Greece they would hurl a Javelin.

This is my belief. Over time we shall see, more and more parents are taking there kids to soccer instead of the other sports.

 

[Japanese]

O.K. Let me say it briefly—a good goalie should know (depending on the situation) when to step up/jump up ahead to catch the ball and when to stay at the goal line. The US goalie did the opposite in two situations and got a goal in both of those.

In the end your opinion is he gave up 2 bad goals. Well, they still lose 2-1. Same result, different score. Anyway, I digress. IMO, there is no reason to coach/watch/enjoy sports blaming others for team failures. Take the ownership and move on. Strive to be better next time.

You cannot predict such things in soccer because when some team is leading you 2:1 is one psychological situation for the losing team and when the result is 3:1 is completely different situation. It's not just a goal difference the whole team's approach is very different on a psychological level. And we the spectators don's see that.

 

[Pablo]

3-2 ARG

That escalated quickly

 

[goblin]

Yep, it was nice while it lasted...

 

[Japanese]

3-2 ARG

That escalated quickly

What is that?
Aren't the today's games at 3:00 and 7:00 PM?