Argentina vs Croatia ITV1 from 18:15 GMT

[Petcha]

he ran off his line early and was already stood at his spot in the middle of the box by the time Alvarez was still running way outside the box - as is clear in your video from 3secs to 5 secs

I've genuinely no idea how you can't see that was a pen, but lets leave it there

 

[planetgeli]

What are you watching? He clearly moves forward at the attacker in that video. Of course it's a penalty.

 

[weltweit]

Glad I watched that. Messi didn't have the ball that often, but when he did, it was magic.

 

[weltweit]

 

[ska invita]

I make it 5 goals in total, only 2 of which were from open play, the other 3 from penalties, is that right?

 

[twistedAM]

I make it 5 goals in total, only 2 of which were from open play, the other 3 from penalties, is that right?

Penalties are a skill. Ask Harry or those Dutch tossers.
Argentina all the way (hopefully)!

 

[Steel Icarus]

What a performance. What a player. The best ever.

(N.B. Messi, not Aaron Lennon)

 

[Steel Icarus]

This made me laugh:

It was once suggested that Luka Modric looks like a little boy dressed up as a witch.

Good article, too.

Lionel Messi sets up his shot at destiny with throwback brilliance | Barney Ronay

Argentina’s icon ran things again and took a step back in time to set up a clinching third goal as Croatia were swept aside

www.theguardian.com

 

[ska invita]

Seriously though, Maradonna (1.65m), Lennon (1.65m) and Messi (1.69m) all have this in common: simliar stature, incredible speed, low centre of gravity, immense skill in carving up / footwork. They really are very similar players. Lennon perhaps overlooked in peoples minds as very un-egotistical player - also got more injuries than should've which dampened his career.

 

[skyscraper101]

Yeah let's all celebrate the tax evading multimillionaire.

 

[The39thStep]

Seriously though, Maradonna (1.65m), Lennon (1.65m) and Messi (1.69m) all have this in common: simliar stature, incredible speed, low centre of gravity, immense skill in carving up / footwork. They really are very similar players. Lennon perhaps overlooked in peoples minds as very un-egotistical player - also got more injuries than should've which dampened his career.

No wonder that to some that he was better known as Christiano Messodonna of the Lane

 

[ska invita]

No wonder that to some that he was better known as Christiano Messodonna of the Lane

just missed out on young player of the year because of that Ronaldo

Hes more a Messi-donna than a Ronaldo

 

[pbsmooth]

surprised how poor his penalty record is. not much else to add but a bit of a weird one for such a good player.

 

[Petcha]

He's an 'ambassador' for Saudi Arabia. Earning millions as a result. And totally showed his true colours the other night.

Decent footballer. Not the GOAT though. I really really hope Morocco beat them in the final.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

surprised how poor his penalty record is. not much else to add but a bit of a weird one for such a good player.

That pen last night is what Kane was trying to do.

 

[twistedAM]

Yeah let's all celebrate the tax evading multimillionaire.

Read the Manchester United Evening News - even they are going on and on about Julian Alvarez. What an amazing tournament he's had. Wasn't even a starter in the first couple of games. Also there's a lovely pic going around of him when he was a starstruck 10 year old having his photo taken with that Messi.

 

[skyscraper101]

Read the Manchester United Evening News - even they are going on and on about Julian Alvarez. What an amazing tournament he's had. Wasn't even a starter in the first couple of games. Also there's a lovely pic going around of him when he was a starstruck 10 year old having his photo taken with that Messi.

It's such a shame he has to play for a country that seems to idolise drug cheats (Maradona), tax evaders (Messi) and a team who display such bad sportsmanship as to mock their opponents for losing a penalty shootout (Otamendi, Paredes, Montiel, di Maria, et al)

 

[ska invita]

tax evaders (Messi)

tbf id expect every multi millionaire footballers is evading tax

 

[AverageJoe]

View attachment 355585


laugh it up! Lennon right up there with the all time greats

And Trevor Sinclair

 

[ska invita]

And Trevor Sinclair

a bit tall but a worthy inclusion in the pantheon

 

[tonysingh]

You lot have forgotten the Turkish Messi, the utterly spellbindingly talented Erhun Oztumer.

(I may be slightly biased)

 

[twistedAM]

It's such a shame he has to play for a country that seems to idolise drug cheats (Maradona), tax evaders (Messi) and a team who display such bad sportsmanship as to mock their opponents for losing a penalty shootout (Otamendi, Paredes, Montiel, di Maria, et al)

Fuck the Dutch. One of them got red carded during the shootout for taunting their opponents. I don't think I've ever seen that before. Most teams show respect. Argentina were no angels but the Dutch were just as bad if not worse and got that they deserved.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Fuck the Dutch. One of them got red carded during the shootout for taunting their opponents. I don't think I've ever seen that before. Most teams show respect. Argentina were no angels but the Dutch were just as bad if not worse and got that they deserved.

Yeah, this. I don't know why but when it gets to the sharp end of tournaments, the Dutch turn ugly. See also the WC final of 2010. I'd rather my team lost than resorted to that kind of thing.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

You lot have forgotten the Turkish Messi, the utterly spellbindingly talented Erhun Oztumer.

(I may be slightly biased)

You lack the clear-headed objectivity of ska invita