It's incredible how scared all teams get when extra time begins. The Netherlands had all the momentum, Argentina were rattled, and rather than seizing on the momentum they preferred to take their chances in a lottery shootout.
At least they were trying to play the football on the floor, you have some Messi magic and occasionally someone else, with the Dutch, they honestly had nothing - their forward players were nothing special and their tactics? Oof! As I said earlier - because Messi refused to go and do it on a rainy night at Stoke, LVG brought Stoke to the world cup. The Dutch deserved nothing, would have been a travesty if they won
Nah it’s a fact that most teams going first win
If you can't answer the question then that speaks volumes.
He really is a tit.
Probably remembered Cryuff is turning in his grave watching this football and then stopped it.
Something with Maguire's head, a helmet and Falklands"Bellendgranos" or something equally shit.
This is another nonsensical narrative. Messi is not carrying a hapless Argentina team. They are quite rounded and decently balanced team. Of course not everyone is Messi level, but the team is pretty good and rightly called potential winners before the WC itself.
Same. Handbags would be incredible
Exactly, both their missed pens were really well hit
Agree. Give me back the Golden Goal or scrap the extra time. No one goes for it anymore.
I don't know why anybody would choose to go 2nd in a pen shootout. Going 1st is a big advantage. If you score, you're putting way more pressure on the opposition to keep the game level. VVD did the right thing. He just came up against a keeper that is really good at saving pens.
Yes I wish Portugal won't win the WC, I cannot stand another Piers Morgan interview with 'that guy' taking all the credit while he actually does nothing all tournament.
.....and his pen was shite!
No they aren't.
I tend to agree. However the first penalty taker seems to be at a disadvantage in this tournament due to the referees keeping the first taker waiting an abnormally long time while they speak to the goalkeepers. It’s a very long time to stand there when you’re already nervous.
Wasn't the best, but the save was still very good.
It was the correct decision from VvD. Always go first and have your best taker shoot it.
Just look at their team…it’s horrific. They did well.
There is this idea that the only thing that will be remembered in the future are the numbers and trophies, etc... Football fans like to say things like "but only that win or that trophy will be remembered in years to come". That's just not true when you look at the history of the game. Cruyff and his Dutch team are celebrated more than many winners. Cruyff is viewed by most higher than Gerd Müller who won the WC. I am not implying here that Ronaldo is more like Müller. I am saying it's only the media that like to drum up these big occasions and decisive and how they will dictate the legacy of someone and how this next trophy or win will be the decider. People remember the memories and mostly the feelings really. Maradona's trophy cabinet is not the best but the moments he gave to people just stick for many years, they elevate him to his god status. It will be the same with Messi, the amount of times he leaves people speechless in a way that no number or "fact" can describe. Of course if he never won anything, that would be different. But with his record, not one win or trophy or record can dictate his legacy or the legacy of anyone. It is only in this age of facts and numbers and statistics that people think it will.
Meh, don't think he's being nonsensical, Messi has been by far their best player. The number of chances he's generated up top is crazy; he should've had 3 assists for L Martinez alone against Australia. If they win the tournament it's thanks to him imo. Aside from the Poland game he's been the reason why they've scored the first goal in every match, breaking the deadlock in which beforehand they always seem to look so scared of generating anything.
Argentina was way better than Netherlands in extra time, created four clear chances. Netherlands zero.
Fixed. I expected them to beat Argentina though if Messi wasn't able to pull out something.
He's done it again!
