2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

#426      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
What no one is talking about in terms of the disallowed goal is that it actually would've hurt Egypt.

Argentina's mentality and urgency flipped a switch from the point it turned to 2-0. Egypt couldn't even hold that lead for 15 minutes and gave up THREE goals.

Had that goal counted, they would've had to defend that lead for THAT much longer. We really think everything plays out the same way, and they'd eventually be up 3-0? I don't think so. There's a circumstance/mental aspect that very much determines the game.
 
#427      
PleaseMakeABowlGame
the juiceman cometh said:
No offsides in soccer just doesn't work. Teams would camp out an attacker or two by the goal and then the other team would respond by moving defenders back. Both teams do this and essentially it just results in both teams launching long balls at the other team's goal hoping chaos in the box leads to a goal, with no midfield play. Boring. I think people underestimate the importance of offsides in soccer and just get frustrated about goals getting invalidated. The offsides rule is what encourages all the creativity in attack that makes soccer fun to watch.

And they had Golden Goal for a long time, it sucked, and there's a reason it's gone. It ultimately discouraged attacking as neither team wanted to risk getting hit on the counter-attack and immediately losing the game, so you ended up with a lot of cautious play.

And lastly, penalty shootouts suck. It's only slightly better than a coin flip as far as deciding a game, and after seeing enough of them I don't find them that exciting anymore. Goals from open play are so much more satisfying than penalty goals. Sometimes a penalty shootout results in goalkeeper heroics, which is awesome, but more often than not it becomes about who boots it over the bar or clangs it off the post.
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Penalty shootouts are the best. Every one of these games I find myself rooting for the tie all the way through.
 
#429      
Illinoise
the juiceman cometh said:
This just means you don't actually like soccer I think.
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How no one has figured out that they should move the penalty spot farther away for shootouts hurts my brain. Stupefied as to how they let these games come down to a goalie guessing which way to dive. Move it to the 18 yard box and let’s see these guys have an actual sporting competition.
 
#430      
the juiceman cometh
Illinoise said:
How no one has figured out that they should move the penalty spot farther away for shootouts hurts my brain. Stupefied as to how they let these games come down to a goalie guessing which way to dive. Move it to the 18 yard box and let’s see these guys have an actual sporting competition.
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If it were up to me they'd do what they used to do in early World Cups and what they do in early rounds of the FA cup and if it's tied at the end of 90, just replay the entire fixture the next day. That would incentivize teams to go for it, especially the favorites who don't want to get extra tired before their next opponent.

Obviously a ton of logistical reasons against so it'll never happen.
 
#433      
Roundball Sage
Illinoise said:
Stupefied as to how they let these games come down to a goalie guessing which way to dive.
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They had 90 minutes to win the match. Neither side did. Need a more sensible way to decide the outcomes than goalkeepers guessing and shooters making a big deal that they beat a mostly helpless goaltender.

Here's what to do: Take the goaltender OUT after 90 minutes. Let the remaining players have at it. No player is allowed to defend within five (or so) feet of the goal line. It will be an actual futbol play that settles the match. Sudden death. Last goals wins.

Everyone goes home knowing that both sides had a fair chance. No more 120-plus minutes with guys cramping up and begging for mercy.
 
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