France v England is my prediction for the final. Spain hasn’t been bad by any means, hence why they’re in the semis, but they also haven’t really been that impressive in the eye test if you consider expectations for this team. I think it’ll be a really good battle in the midfield but I just don’t see Spain being able to match the offensive firepower France has. In the other game, I just think Argentina’s black magic will run out. England is by far the best team they’ve come across in this tournament and I think it’ll show.
So going back to the Switzerland yellow card, and subsequent red, it's kind of a silly rule that doesn't work in practice at all right? You have 4 (maybe 5) scenarios and only 2 of them result in a yellow, and one of them likely isn't given at all for that spot on the field. Seems very harsh even if in theory, it's meant to discourage simulation. 1) Ref doesn't call it as he deems it to be a no foul / dive, but doesn't require it worthy of a yellow for simulation. The game goes on, no free kick, no card. 2) Ref thinks its a dive and gives a yellow. Unlikely when the player is already on a yellow as the ref has to be SURE sure to send a player off for that and perception would be that its harsh. 3) Incorrect foul, but no yellow for the offending player. Wrong call, but it doesn't get reviewed and there's no yellow for a dive in the VAR review. 4) What happened in the game. An incorrect call and a yellow for it, and a reversal card for diving under the new mistaken identity rule. 5) The above happens and they rescind the foul and card but don't deem it to be a yellow for simulation? is that even an option or allowed?
Starting to think that the idea that revenue is what drives his selection might not just be conspiratorial chatter... Portugal are pissing away a fantastic generation of players with this nonsense.
As far as I know if the yellow is given for a foul but var then overturns it the yellow HAS to be given for diving. If the Argentina player was not booked then the Swiss player probably doesn't get the 2nd yellow.
So how I understood it and good in theory, but horrible in practice unless other reffing standards change. The only silver lining is that the swiss player absolutely dove so its not controversial in that regard.
So apparently penalties to break a tie have only been a thing since 1970? They used to just draw lots to determine a winner? Wild
I think that’s just the subjectivity that comes in sports officiating tbh. We see often a player getting a yellow for a foul in one game and then in a separate game the same foul doesn’t result in a yellow. It’s just going to happen. And in this specific instance, the debate is “that isn’t worth a second yellow”. But imo, a yellow is a yellow. And if you do something that is by the law a yellow card offense, you are at-risk of getting booked for it. Embolo should’ve known this and him doing a blatant dive like that put him in the position he’s in, even as harsh as it may seem.
The weird thing for me with the VAR yellow situation is that it sounds like you can only overturn a yellow if the other player deserves a yellow for a dive. There's plenty of situations where a foul isn't a yellow (maybe isn't even a foul at all) and the other player also doesn't deserve a yellow. The pre-tournament directives they added really feel like nobody even slightly thought around the the situations they'd apply to. As others have said, doesn't matter here, because it was an almost comical dive.
The rule about mistaken identity was never meant to be used for these kinds of situations. It was only meant for when the wrong player of a team got a card.
Just read about the fact that England and Argentina haven't played each other the entirety of Messi's career. Kinda wild they haven't crossed paths until the 6th World Cup of it. (Fully aware of why they wouldn't schedule a friendly, haha.)
Got voluntold into a client meeting from 4:15-5:00 today, so you're welcome when that's the vast majority of the good part of the game.
Letsssss goooooooooooooooooo. This is what it all comes down to. Yep, 2005 was the last game and a friendly (neutral) and it's funny how Michael Owen is a top scorer against them with 3 after getting 2 in that game. Very weird rivalry compared to other sports with how little they play but boy, is the history (football and not) there. You best believe that I remember the 98 game... Looking back at how Beckham was treated after it is insane but that was a battle. I did manage to secure a ticket for tomorrow and part of me is like do I bring a change of shirt to avoid any craziness after (regardless of result)? So far the English have behaved, but this is different and Argentina has a huge presence of fans here in Atlanta too. I'd guess the stadium will lean English but the neutral American fans could easily tip the balance one way or the other. I can promise that I will avoid any and all trouble. Zero reason to fight over football or history with someone who like me, probably isn't a direct part of any of it.
Just dawned on me that Rodri's been quietly getting his game back all summer. Could be a unit again for City next season.
I think you'll be fine. Can't believe you were able to get a ticket. Just wasn't my lucky this summer for any of the Atlanta games.
It was a perfect storm through work. My manager is out on vacation and the decision maker who was invited, and he was able to convince the client who offered him the ticket that it was worth it to take me instead. Very grateful.