Only South American and Western European countries have won the World Cup with the latter dominating the past couple of decades. Is the tide about to turn? The bigger European countries bar Portugal are looking sluggish. Is it Brazil or Argentina time?
Is the World Cup finally heading back to South America again? | Yes. Congrats Argentina
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Yes I think Brazil have a good chance. Very strong squad and conditions to suit them.
Brazil depth is quite impressive.
Alisson and Ederson in goal
Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Bremer and Ibanez for the two CB spots
Fabinho and Casemiro to hold the midfield
Neymar, Vinicius, Raphinha, Rodrygo in attacking midfield
Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison up front
They will make the semis at least.
Not sure about Argentina, as usual I do not fancy their back line and Messi is ageing...
Alisson and Ederson in goal
Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Bremer and Ibanez for the two CB spots
Fabinho and Casemiro to hold the midfield
Neymar, Vinicius, Raphinha, Rodrygo in attacking midfield
Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison up front
They will make the semis at least.
Not sure about Argentina, as usual I do not fancy their back line and Messi is ageing...
When I saw Argentina win the Copa America a bit back they seemed a really tough team. Perhaps not the most exciting team they ever produced but they fought for everything and the spirit looked great. Will be interesting to see how they do.
Forgot Militao
Hopefully yes.
Yep Militao starts. Antony is in the squad, too. Brazil are rightfully favourites.
Hopefully not, especially Brazil. Absolutely hate the arrogant cnuts
Brazil are massive favourites imo.
Last world cup they messed up by dropping Marquinhos on eye of the tournament. Miranda past his best wasn't a great partner for Thiago Silva. Also lost Dani Alves to injury just before tournament and Fernandinho at DM had his usual shocker in key knock out game v Belgium with Casemiro banned. Brazil certainly stronger in that position with Fabinho a solid deputy.
Gabriel Jesus started season very well and Vinicius Jr matured very well in last 18 months so would expect those two to start either side of Neymar and likes of Richarlison and Anthony good plan B options with 5 subs.
Only doubt to me is the FBs don't look that threatening... Renan Lodi, Alex Telles, Danilo, Emerson Royal, Alex Sandro are the 5 in contention looking at latest squad.
With Argentina they probably have a similar look to 2014. Defensively solid with a keeper who can certainly peak in knock out matches and always got a goal in them with Messi more relaxed. Would still be surprised if they reached final but will certainly be far more competitive than their catastrophic effort in 2018.
Last world cup they messed up by dropping Marquinhos on eye of the tournament. Miranda past his best wasn't a great partner for Thiago Silva. Also lost Dani Alves to injury just before tournament and Fernandinho at DM had his usual shocker in key knock out game v Belgium with Casemiro banned. Brazil certainly stronger in that position with Fabinho a solid deputy.
Gabriel Jesus started season very well and Vinicius Jr matured very well in last 18 months so would expect those two to start either side of Neymar and likes of Richarlison and Anthony good plan B options with 5 subs.
Only doubt to me is the FBs don't look that threatening... Renan Lodi, Alex Telles, Danilo, Emerson Royal, Alex Sandro are the 5 in contention looking at latest squad.
With Argentina they probably have a similar look to 2014. Defensively solid with a keeper who can certainly peak in knock out matches and always got a goal in them with Messi more relaxed. Would still be surprised if they reached final but will certainly be far more competitive than their catastrophic effort in 2018.
Completely forgot him. Again it's clicked for him at Madrid in last year but I kind of feel Tite bitterly regrets leaving out Marquinhos so would be surprised if he missed out again.
Argentina due another
France have the best first 11 and squad but probably not by the margin previously and not enough to compensate for having the French Southgate in charge, coupled with a typical pre-WC meltdown in the squad.
I'd say it's quite open, with France and Brazil being top favourites and Spain, Portugal and Argentina making up the second tier.
England would be part of the second tier as well but you-know-who is the manager.
I'd say it's quite open, with France and Brazil being top favourites and Spain, Portugal and Argentina making up the second tier.
England would be part of the second tier as well but you-know-who is the manager.
This is the first time I see us getting very well for a World Cup since 2006. In 2010 I was sure we would get slammed by the first important team. Didn’t have faith in 2014 but incredibly the defense was amazing instead of the attack. In 2018 I had cero expectations.
this is the first time I feel we have a solid team, we don’t depend on Messi to create danger, we have a very good defense and good players in every line. We won a tournament after 28 years and it was such a relief, you can see it. The group is really happy together, the fans are supporting like they have never done it before, there is a huge communion
and despite some people and especially us, no one see us coming.
this is the first time I feel we have a solid team, we don’t depend on Messi to create danger, we have a very good defense and good players in every line. We won a tournament after 28 years and it was such a relief, you can see it. The group is really happy together, the fans are supporting like they have never done it before, there is a huge communion
and despite some people and especially us, no one see us coming.
Portugal have such a good side but their coach is way too pragmatic.
Like Argentina I think Portugal won't depend of Ronaldo anymore and they play better in my opinion without him in some games, but we have Santos as a coach and I never though of him to be any good or he would manage a top team. His tactics sucks and must be on someone's payroll (Mendes) the way he sets the team.
That was always Portugal problems, our managers are controlled by super agents or the usual Benfica/Porto interests, never the national team success.
I would argue that Brazil might have a better starting XI.
They'll probably fall short again.
Brazils squad is good but in midfield and fullback positions they don't have top class quality. Very top heavy team.
Argentina are on a roll but they seem to be punching above their weight. I don't think talent wise they match up the European heavyweights.
Brazils squad is good but in midfield and fullback positions they don't have top class quality. Very top heavy team.
Argentina are on a roll but they seem to be punching above their weight. I don't think talent wise they match up the European heavyweights.
Apart from GK, CB, and DM France have better squad and starting XI than Brazil.
France Starting XI
--------------------------------Maignan
Pavard---------Varane--------------Lucas-----------Theo
-----------------------------Tchouameni
---------------------Kante----------------Pogba
Dembele-----------------Benzema--------------------Mbappe
France Subs XI
--------------------------------Lloris
Clauss--------Kounde------------Kimpembe---------Mendy
--------------------------------Kamara
----------------Camavinga-------------Rabiot
Diaby-----------------------Nkunku---------------------Coman
Vs
Brazil Starting XI
--------------------------------Alisson
Danilo------Marquinhos----------Silva-----------Lodi
----------------Casemiro-------------Guimaraes
Raphinha----------------Neymar---------------------Vinicius
--------------------------------Jesus
Brazil Subs XI
--------------------------------Ederson
Emerson------Militao-----------Bremer------------Sandro
-----------------Fabinho--------------Fred
Antony-------------------Paqueta---------------------Martinelli
-----------------------------Richarlison
I mean they're due and Brazil are back to having the most stacked team around, as shown by the post above
I hope we get to see an underdog victory. Eventually it will happen.
I would take Brazil over anyone at this stage. Not sure about the lad saying they don't have a midfield, they'll control every game with the likes of Fabinho and Casemiro and then to bring on subs like Fred to kill off a game if needed. With the quality in attack they can probably get by with a double pivot if there's worries about their fullbacks being weak defensively.
Is this another way of saying "its coming home".
Brazil, next to France, have the best team but the football has become very tactical recently, and Brazil’s coaches for most part are dogshit. Which will obviously destroy their chances.
Argentina are a paper tiger, like always.
I fully expect for the World Cup to remain in Europe.
Argentina are a paper tiger, like always.
I fully expect for the World Cup to remain in Europe.
I didn’t know Wales were in South America now
It's coming home
For sure Brazil are the favourites but we've said that about Brazil before only for them to meet a tough team in the round of 16 or quarters and get knocked out. But yeah,they are definitely the favourites. IMO the top contenders are Brazil, Portugal and France but watch out for the Netherlands. I think they're primed for another very deep run. Argentina, Spain, Croatia, England and Belgium are outsiders.
My order of favourites:
France
Brazil
Argentina
Spain
Belgium
Portugal
Germany
Netherlands
England
Uruguay
Croatia
Wales
France
Brazil
Argentina
Spain
Belgium
Portugal
Germany
Netherlands
England
Uruguay
Croatia
Wales
Other way around. Their fullback options are excellent defensively but poor in attack. Thing is with Neymar, Vini and co. they're fine anyways
It's Brazil. In general, the right way of thinking is they're favourites until/unless they lose
It's normal for them to have the most stacked and talented squad in the world, which they do. France runs them close but Brazil have a bit more
I don't think so. Brazil will be dumped out at the quarter final mark, Argentina in the semi's by virtue of having a far easier draw. It'll be one of France/Germany/Spain again, for me. England will up there too if they ignore all of Southgate's advice.
Bar Portugal?
They had a good victory yesterday but they've looked terrible for ages (despite a number of good players). That's why they had to qualify through a playoff.
SA saw Michael Sheen's pregame pep talk and became Welsh
Sneaky feeling France will falter early
I hope Brazil bags it, mostly because Neymar is one of my favourite players ever
Comparing Deschamps to Southgate borders on idiocy.
What are you on about? it's obviously coming home. Three big carnivorous cats and all that.
Forgot Fred
Brazil, Argentina and Spain are my favourites going into this one, and I think Argentina will win this. Brazil and Spain are in tricky groups and could face each other in the quarters, and that may be too much to then follow up and play Argentina.
Argentina have a much smoother path till the semis. Plus Lautaro, Romero, De Paul, Emiliano, etc. have added a lot of steel through the middle and they will grind through wins in the KOs when needed.
Argentina have a much smoother path till the semis. Plus Lautaro, Romero, De Paul, Emiliano, etc. have added a lot of steel through the middle and they will grind through wins in the KOs when needed.