Today's World Cup Games
I had not posted anything about this World Cup. It is possibly the worst World Cup ever, the rules have changed so much that this is definitely not the football that was played when I was young back in the seventies early eighties, yes I used to enjoy playing, completely amateur and just for fun, still used to get all kicked up because I enjoyed facing opponents with the ball. Today I see something that looks like choreographed football, I can actually tell what the players will do three kicks into the future. Yes, there are exceptions like France and of course, Vinicius, I don't like this guy at all but in this World Cup he is one of the few who tries to do things the old fashioned way, try to dribble a few players and bring some excitement. Yes, I am quite old so my point of view will naturally be different from that of a younger football addict.
As for today, well we Had England against the Democrtaic Republic of the Congo. I think that early goal made the game go along lanes it was not supposed to.Let's be honest here, everyone, except of course DR Congo fans expected England to win this game easily. It was not to be, I saw an England with few ideas and Congo apparently decided one goal was enough, they never went all out for the second one. In the end England won, not because of the great team they have but because Harry Kane showed up. His second goal was great. But I hear about a penalty kick not made by the referee when Kane went down, let's be real that was no penalty. But England deserved the win.
Then Belgium played Senegal, this game i cannot talk much about as my internet connection failed and I only saw the first seventy minutes but during these minutes Senegal were by far the better team. Eventually Belgium drew 2-2 and they went to extra time. cool, what I don't understand is how Belgium scored a penalty kick in the 20th minute of the second extra half. Was the game delayed because the Senegalese players thought it was not a penalty? I do not know and I can't have an opinion because I saw nothing. What does intrigue me is how Belgium managed their first two goals, Senegal owned the midfield. Anyway Belgium is through.
The last one was USA vs Bosnia Herzegovina, I really only saw the second goal, which left me with a lot of doubts. I had never seen a barrier that leaves a three foot, at least, distance between the defenders and a very lazy stopping attempt by the keeper. Perhaps this is a new way of placing a barrier and the goalkeeper is just lousy, but it sure makes me think.
So up to now I think the number one candidate to win this cup is France, Olise is in top shape and Mbappe and Dembele are also living up to expectations. Argentina relies on Messi, I think this is first of all a mistake, does Argentina really need a 39 year old man? You would think a country that exports so many players would already have a substitute. The same goes for Portugal. Whta do these people want a geriatric football? I know there is this big conflict about who is the GOAT. This is stupid, every generation has its GOAT and saying one is better than the other is plain dumb. Like older guys than I insist on Pele, I hardly ever saw Pele play, and it is very remarkable that he was never Braxil's best player in any World Cup. Maradona was the best for Argentina, but we also have Cruyff up there. I also happen to like two player who are very underrated, George Best and Magico Gonzales. Best I just saw on black and white TV, Magico I actually saw play in person, great player, probably better than the current GOATS. Plus I have heard of Sindelar, it is said he was the best ever so there you have the big GOAT paradox.
So, I put this out there I will be very surprised if France is not at least a finalist.