Macpotata
Norm Smith Medallist
- Mar 22, 2017
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- Geelong
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- #1,226
I agree in a sense it's been a weaker world cup. But you could see two very strong performances in the last games from any side which could cement themselves as a great winner. As a whole though, yeah, it's like 2002 where all the '' big '' guns crashed out early.Been such a weird world cup.
The French and Belgium sides are probably the only two who qualify as teams I think of as WC winning sides, in terms of quality all over the pitch.
Even then, I think they pale to some of the past winners over the last 20 years.
I think whoever wins this will be one of the weaker winners in a long time. Just personal opinion.
Belgium have been good though and very consistent. It takes mental and physical strength to come down from 2 goals down, and They did beat Brazil who played a great game. If they win it, they will be worthy. France were coasting in the group and have stepped up and like Belgium If they have two good games also, they'll announce themselves as a worthy contender.
I do see where you're coming from though. But We also look at things a bit more biased in the past perhaps. Most world cup winners weren't without their struggles or poorer performance/near misses. France in 98 beat Paraguay with a golden goal, beat Italy in a penalty shootout and needed 2 goals from a defender who had never scored in his career, nor a single goal after it, to edge past Croatia. Then there was the Ronaldo incident in the final. Brazil in 2002 had 2 bogus calls go their way against Turkey and Belgium. Italy in 06 struggled with the USA and that dodgy game against us. Took 121 minutes to score against Germany in the semis, Beat France on penalties. Spain in 2010 lost their opener and were outplayed by the Portuguese in the 1st half, beat Paraguay after surviving a late penalty, then edged Germany who had their chances as did Holland in the final. They could have been considered very lucky. Germany in 2014 drew with Ghana, needed extra time to beat Algeria, beat France narrowly and could have easily lost that extra time final to Argentina.
edited - The game's changed. Styles, tactics, the way teams win, it's different to what it used to be. It's certainly not always pretty as times. You might like they way football used to be as a whole compared to what it is now.
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