Day 3: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia | Denmark vs Tunisia | Mexico vs Poland | France vs Australia

Oly Francis

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Usually when a team has a big lead they put the game to an end at 90th min. At least that's how it used to be.
Ands that would be stupid. In small groups like that, goal difference often plays a huge role, by doing that you totally rig the results.
 

2mufc0

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France impressive.
 

Isotope

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Advantage of having two good wide attackers that are fast, skilful, and can score.

And yeah. A striker that can score also.
 

Sayros

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I hate world cups, they're bad for my health, but this was a fun game. The thing is Australia is probably one of the worse teams in the competition, so let's see how we handle Denmark on Saturday.
 

2mufc0

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I hate world cups, they're bad for my health, but this was a fun game. The thing is Australia is probably one of the worse teams in the competition, so let's see how we handle Denmark on Saturday.
Denmark didn't look great either, think you will beat them easily.
 

Bepi

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Giroud all-time top scorer for France is insane… and not because he is said to be sh*t or second fiddle… it is just how the feck one single forward was able to score 51 goals while competing for a place in a super stacked national team?
 

JPRouve

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Giroud all-time top scorer for France is insane… and not because he is said to be sh*t or second fiddle… it is just how the feck one single forward was able to score 51 goals while competing for a place in a super stacked national team?
It should have been more than that because after the 2014 world cup he was better with France than Benzema but Benzema was starting including during his long period without goals.

Giroud has played 6428 minutes while Benzema has played 6358 minutes.
 
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Dazzmondo

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The 2 midday games were rubbish but enjoyed Australia vs France and Argentina vs Saudi Arabia was incredible! One of my favourite ever world cup moments
 

(...)

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Giroud all-time top scorer for France is insane… and not because he is said to be sh*t or second fiddle… it is just how the feck one single forward was able to score 51 goals while competing for a place in a super stacked national team?
He has 115 caps, Benzema has been banned for most of Giroud's prime, add that to the fact Giroud played during arguably France's best era, and it makes for a crazy record.
 

Wing Attack Plan R

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These American announcers make me wanna kill someone with my bare hands. And they do it every World Cup. They put some ex-USMNT dimwits (cf. Tim Howard, Taylor Twellman) in the commentary box then drag someone off the baseball desk and have them keep up a super-hyped incessant stream of chatter, like every World Cup they act as if this the viewers’ first time watching the sport with their painfully pedestrian analysis mixed with ITS THE NFL SPORTS NIGHT !!!!!!!! vocal stylings of the main match commentator. It’s fecking maddening.
 

JPRouve

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He has 115 caps, Benzema has been banned for most of Giroud's prime, add that to the fact Giroud played during arguably France's best era, and it makes for a crazy record.
Giroud has a better goal ratio than Benzema for France. And a large amount of those caps are as a backup, either playing a few minutes at the end of games or playing with the bench warmers.
 

Mb194dc

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Giroud always been a solid goal scorer, gets great service in the national team. France and Brazil still favourites for me. France injuries actually might help them. Forced to refresh the team.
 

AndyMUFC

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France still have a great chance of winning this thing. Not many sides could cope with injuries to Benzema, Pogba and Kante but they can.
 

(...)

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Giroud has a better goal ratio than Benzema for France. And a large amount of those caps are as a backup, either playing a few minutes at the end of games or playing with the bench warmers.
I was not comparing Giroud and Benzema. 76 starts in 115 caps.
 

frostbite

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I was not able to watch any of the games today. What happened to Argentina? Did our Martinez play? How was he?
 

ThierryHenry14

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Giroud has a better goal ratio than Benzema for France. And a large amount of those caps are as a backup, either playing a few minutes at the end of games or playing with the bench warmers.
Spot on. minute wise they are the same, and Giroud had lots of minutes as a sub. He is a much better forward for the tactics of the national team.
 

Lyng

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I hate world cups, they're bad for my health, but this was a fun game. The thing is Australia is probably one of the worse teams in the competition, so let's see how we handle Denmark on Saturday.
We looked bad in the first half. If we play like that against you we have no chance.
 

tjb

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France still have a great chance of winning this thing. Not many sides could cope with injuries to Benzema, Pogba and Kante but they can.
This is going to sound slightly controversial. They might be better for it.

1. Pogba doesn't have the athleticism he had in 2018. Part of the reason France had a deeper block was because neither him or Kante were that great at holding onto possession and getting the team up the field. People always cite him going up a level, but I don't think he did. Deschamps simply played around his weakness, allowing his strengths to shine. This meant playing Matuidi out wide to cover the midfield space Pogba was giving up. We had years of him in our side, just from watching our own games, quick passing and a higher tempo can leave him quite exposed. This was 2018, in 2022, I'm not sure Tchouemeni could have covered for him. This might have also not allowed France have the option of playing Dembele, who for me is their most dangerous player, as Deschamps would have felt the need to cover for Pogba, either with playing a high workrate player on the flanks to cover for him or by playing with a three at the back.

2. Kante isn't 2016 Kante anymore either. Due to reputation, he might have played and that may have hurt France. Tchouemeni is a better partner for him as Kante has never been a DM in my opinion. He's always been better as a ball winning midfielder given the freedom to harass the opposition high, rather than someone simply covering laterally. He's also not great at holding possession either which is why France struggled in that department in 2018, not because of tactics. Rabiot's big strength outside his high work rate and stamina is that he is very good at keeping the ball. His first touch is good, his balance is good, he is strong and can hold people off; therefore providing a good option to pass to in midfield, therefore making it unnecesary to deeper teammates to fling in long to Giroud.

3. Benzema has had his injuries. He may have come in more unfit than expected. His gameplay is also very different from Giroud's. He likes to come deeper and create and get touches. Griezmann took that role today. The problem with that is slows down the flow of the attack, especially for a team like France seeking to use their flanks. Giroud stays relatively high, doesn't take too many touches and therefore allows Dembele, Griezmann, Hernandez and Mbappe to create. Deschamps finds it easier to integrate Giroud than he does Benzema, I think its for this reason.
 

BayernFan87

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Best game so far for the NT. Not saying much though as he was catastrophic in his previous appearances and Australia did not offer much going forward
Thanks.
I just saw this on Twitter. It aligns with his season for Bayern so far, he really improved his passing.

 

Isotope

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Griezmann was just so live wire. Rabiot was really good in that midfield. And Dembele.., man, he's insanely rapid while skillful also.
 

Lyng

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Its frustrating when we finally have a good bunch of players and a real shot at something we feck it up. Having watched the game again I have to say we only have ourselves to blame. Tunisia where energetic and it feels like the crowd and their intesity got to us.
Hjulmand did a massive error in starting the game with 5 at the back instead of 4-3-3. When we switched to that in the second half we where the much better side.
I dont see Tunisia being a issue for France but I could see them draw with Australia.
France looked stunning after a shaky start and I fear this is an early exit for us.
Well at least some of the fervent Denmark haters like Giggsyking will be pleased :lol: