The 20th FIFA World Cup Thread

[GooberBM]

#NewGoldenGeneration

[Red_And_Yellow]

I hate the 3rd place game but FIFA sell tickets so they'll continue to do it. I didn't even watch it. Though, the Germany/Uruguay 3rd place game in 2010 was a fun match with Forlan winning it at the death with a FK I believe.

Greg, I don't know how many times a golden boot winner played in the 3rd place game but Muller won it in 2010 playing in that game. For 2006, I believe the Golden Boot winner was Klose, who also played in the 3rd place game.

[dontcallme]

I hate the 3rd place game but FIFA sell tickets so they'll continue to do it. I didn't even watch it. Though, the Germany/Uruguay 3rd place game in 2010 was a fun match with Forlan winning it at the death with a FK I believe.

Greg, I don't know how many times a golden boot winner played in the 3rd place game but Muller won it in 2010 playing in that game. For 2006, I believe the Golden Boot winner was Klose, who also played in the 3rd place game.

Schillaci did it in 1990.

3rd place game in the World Cup is ultimately meaningless as everyone just considers them semi-finalists.

Can't imagine the players are too enthusiastic about it either after having finals dreams dashed.

[Legend_Killer]

Well that was tough for someone supporting Argentina but in a way I am happy it didn't go to penalties (although they are great viewing). Germany are deserved champions.

I am at work and only saw the after-match stuff in the background but did Messi seriously get the player of the tournament? I love Messi but he didn't deserve that accolade.

[Red_And_Yellow]

He did get player of the tournament.

[GooberBM]

Go home FIFA, you're drunk

[TheLyontamer]

I love Messi, but don't think I would have given him that award. It seemed more like a consolation prize for his general greatness over the years, but that's not the point of the Golden Ball.

However, I think a lot of people are being unnecessarily dismissive of the quality that he produced during the tournament, and a case (albeit a difficult one), could be made for him collecting the award. Had it not been for his crucial goals, Argentina would almost certainly not have progressed from a group containing Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Iran. They could very well have ended up with two points instead of nine. While Argentina's other well-known attacking players all had terrible tournaments from start to finish, he held them together for as long as he could. And whenever you find yourself marvelling at Di María's great late winner against Switzerland in a game that was heading for penalties, don't forget Messi's beautiful run and excellent awareness to pass him the ball, when a number of other players would have gotten caught up in the moment and brainlessly blasted the ball well over the bar.

Unfortunately the rest of the team coming good coincided somewhat with Messi losing the touch of magic that he had in the early stages. Make no mistake about it, though. Had it not been for him, we would very likely have said goodbye to one of the World Cup finalists almost three weeks ago.

[GooberBM]

Mueller and James have better resumes against better competition. As you say, Argentina could have struggled to survive a group with B & H, Nigeria, and Iran.

Mueller led Germany through Ghana, the US, and Portugal, while James led a Colombian domination of Greece, Japan, and the Ivory Coast. James scored in every match he played in, and both he and Mueller were tied for the most points in the tournament with 8, though James did it in 2 fewer matches. Messi only having a single assist in 4 knockout round matches, for a team that didn't score for over 320 minutes in knockout round action, should have counted against him.

Messi had a great case for best player in the group stage. He did not have a great case for best player in the tournament

[TheLyontamer]

Yeah, which is why I wouldn't have given it to him. He wasn't the best player of the tournament, but I'm seeing a lot of heavy criticism towards him in many different places today, which I do find unfair.

I saw Robben's stats this morning. They're quite remarkable. He didn't get the quantity of goals of the others, but he played a key role in getting a far from great Netherlands team as far as the semis. I can't warm to him because of the diving, but he's an incredible player. I was lucky enough to see him play live last year and he was easily the best player on the pitch. He's just amazing to watch when in possession of the ball, and seems to be getting better with age.

[AndyF1069]

Posting to see if there's an edit button.

[AndyF1069]

Nope.

[Greg_McNeish]

Cool story, bro.

[AndyF1069]

I told you to shut up.

[Greg_McNeish]

How's that working out for you?

[AndyF1069]

Not very well.

[Greg_McNeish]

Better luck next time.