12 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

That doesn't bother me.   No different than an NFL team with a 3 TD lead running plays up the middle for a few drives.

True but there is still a little drama in those running plays - possible fumble, can defense stop them and force a punt, etc. And that is maybe a minute and a half of action. In soccer, it can be 15 minutes or more of live game pplay. A similar type of boring game time that led to the shot clock in basketball.

 

Spain advances to the final with the 2-0 win over neighboring France. 
 

Argentina vs England tomorrow for the other spot. 

1 hour ago, Tranquility Base said:

Spain advances to the final with the 2-0 win over neighboring France. 
 

Argentina vs England tomorrow for the other spot. 

Falklands War II

I am on the Messi bandwagon, let's go Argentina!

12 hours ago, nkypete said:

Falklands War II

Along with the Falklands in 1982, factor in Maradona’s Hand of God and full pitch run to goal in 1986. So much history and dislike between the two. Speaking of the 1986 game, there appears to be a great documentary either out or coming soon. Here’s the trailer. 
 

 

14 hours ago, theguru said:

I am on the Messi bandwagon, let's go Argentina!

He is overrated! 

1 minute ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

He is overrated! 

He is old.

What a match England led 1-0 at the 85-minute mark with a goal midway through the first half. Then Argentina scored two goals to win it 2-1. I am by no means a soccer expert, but it looked to me like after England scored they started playing not to lose. It will be Argentina and Spain in the finals on Sunday. The World Cup has a consolation game it will be England vs. France on Saturday in Miami. The Spain and Argentina will be in Met Life on Sunday.

Love it, staying with Argentina for the world cup championship. 

6 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

What a match England led 1-0 at the 83-minute mark with a goal midway through the first half. Then Argentina scored two goals to win it 2-1. I am by no means a soccer expert, but it looked to me like after England scored they started playing not to lose. It will be Argentina and Spain in the finals on Sunday. The World Cup has a consolation game it will be England vs. France on Saturday in Miami. The Spain and Argentina will be in Met Life on Sunday.

I really don't get that kill the clock strategy that soccer teams do. A one goal lead and they act like the game is over. England scores to take a 1-0 lead at the 55' mark. From that point on they went into soccer's kill the clock mode. That would be like a football team getting a one TD lead 5 minutes into the second half and then running the ball every play on offense the rest of the way and playing prevent defense. Over the last 25 minutes of game action Argentina had 93% possession. Argentina took 13 shots in the second half versus only 2 in the first half. The defensive shell strategy was a huge mistake by England in my opinion.

The thing that I don't understand even more is why teams like England tonight don't even try to possess the ball to kill the clock. They get a stop and instead of trying to move the ball up field with passes and possess the ball, they just kick it the length of the field back to Argentina. Why not possess the ball? If you have the ball, the other team can't score. And why wouldn't you want to try and get a 2-0 lead instead of 1-0 lead?

Edited July 16Jul 16 by Voice of Reason

13 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

The thing that I don't understand even more is why teams like England tonight don't even try to possess the ball to kill the clock. They get a stop and instead of trying to move the ball up field with passes and possess the ball, they just kick it the length of the field back to Argentina. Why not possess the ball? If you have the ball, the other team can't score. And why wouldn't you want to try and get a 2-0 lead instead of 1-0 lead?

A buddy and I were going back and forth via text about the same thing throughout the second half yesterday. England never had the ball, then the keeper would make a great save, and immediately kick it 70 yards down the field, only to have to stop Argentina again. It was like punting on first down.

Prevent defense early in the 2nd half, a losing combination! 

11 minutes ago, gchs_uk9 said:

A buddy and I were going back and forth via text about the same thing throughout the second half yesterday. England never had the ball, then the keeper would make a great save, and immediately kick it 70 yards down the field, only to have to stop Argentina again. It was like punting on first down.

 

2 minutes ago, theguru said:

Prevent defense early in the 2nd half, a losing combination! 

Good point gchs! Punting on 1st down! That makes zero sense to me.

I am not a soccer guy, but it seems to me the best time to get greedy is with a one goal lead in the second half. The opponent is getting a little more desperate to score and more prone to making a mistake. Get that two goal lead then think about playing some prevent defense.

1 minute ago, Voice of Reason said:

 

Good point gchs! Punting on 1st down! That makes zero sense to me.

I am not a soccer guy, but it seems to me the best time to get greedy is with a one goal lead in the second half. The opponent is getting a little more desperate to score and more prone to making a mistake. Get that two goal lead then think about playing some prevent defense.

Plus they were playing against super aggressive Argentina with Messi in overdrive.  Perfect way to blow a game if you are England.  

You guys are on point with this.  The English manager is taking a beating in the media for his game strategy.