Soccer Topics: No goalies in the USA

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sluggo
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8:02a, 7/20/26
I started this thread hoping to find some people to talk with about soccer. In that regard it was a big success. Now that we have almost as many posts as the Epstein thread (not all by me!), how does it keep going? I will continue to post news related to the USMNT. I am not really interested in talking about the European season except as it related to the USMNT. But others may have other interests.

For USMNT news, I think the best place is the Scuffed Podcast. They are informative and hilarious. The link is to the Patreon but you can listen for free: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

I think the best news for up and coming players is from Marcus Chairez (https://x.com/USSoccerColl?lang=en and https://www.ussoccercollective.com/).

For a website there is bigsoccer.com. It had gone downhill as users have migrated to X, some to try to make money. But it is still a good place to find stuff. And I suppose there is Reddit, although I don't spend any time there.
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Cal88
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In reply to oski003 • 8:17a, 7/20/26
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.


"Same trophy, different class"
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oski003
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In reply to Cal88 • 8:26a, 7/20/26
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).
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Cal88
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8:41a, 7/20/26
Best English player I've ever seen, Best and Banks were before my time. Classy player as well, highly respected everywhere - RIP.




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Cal88
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In reply to oski003 • 9:23a, 7/20/26
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.
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oski003
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In reply to Cal88 • 9:32a, 7/20/26
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


Your biased viewpoint therefore makes sense. It sounds like an angry bubble that promotes distortion.
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sluggo
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9:59a, 7/20/26
It turns out that novice soccer lover "Big C" may have had the best understanding of Spain with his focus on their defensive solidity. I think they never quite hit their stride as an offensive team due to injuries.
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ProBonoBear415
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10:11a, 7/20/26
No sign of Trump in the official SPAIN podium photo.

Why Spain cropped Donald Trump out of World Cup celebration photos - Yahoo Sports
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Cal88
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In reply to oski003 • 10:13a, 7/20/26
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


Your biased viewpoint therefore makes sense. It sounds like an angry bubble that promotes distortion.


That "bubble" extends to the entire planet minus Argentina, it is your bubble that really qualifies as such. No real football fan likes Vargentina.

Poetic justice on the Spanish goal: it was am Argentina foul on Williams that put him out of position to attempt a low probability header on goal but also put him in an ideal position to serve Torres on a silver platter for the go ahead goal:



" Nothing can represent what yesterday's game was like better than this play: the Argentine player tries to push the Spaniard, who doesn't fall, continues the play, and gives the assist for the goal (and the momentum from the push even ended up helping).

Dirty play vs football."
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oski003
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In reply to Cal88 • 10:33a, 7/20/26
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


Your biased viewpoint therefore makes sense. It sounds like an angry bubble that promotes distortion.


That "bubble" extends to the entire planet minus Argentina, it is your bubble that really qualifies as such. No real football fan likes Vargentina.

Poetic justice on the Spanish goal: it was am Argentina foul on Williams that put him out of position to attempt a low probability header on goal but also put him in an ideal position to serve Torres on a silver platter for the go ahead goal:



" Nothing can represent what yesterday's game was like better than this play: the Argentine player tries to push the Spaniard, who doesn't fall, continues the play, and gives the assist for the goal (and the momentum from the push even ended up helping).

Dirty play vs football."


We were discussing your false claims below.

"Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance."

Please stop twisting the argument. Argentina showed poor class a few times in this tournament, as shown during the final. However, please don't extract that into some worldwide conclusion that Messi disgraced himself with his dirty play, in which case you give a complete fabrication as your example of such (the stomping that didn't actually happen). It also doesn't help that you use that made up example as one of your arguments that VAR is the main reason they advanced. They were resilient and physical, and they were certainly dirty enough in the final to lose it because of a red card. Soccer is a contact sport as evidenced by all of the games in the World Cup.
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Anarchistbear
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In reply to Cal88 • 10:42a, 7/20/26
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one
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tequila4kapp
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In reply to sluggo • 10:48a, 7/20/26
sluggo said:
It turns out that novice soccer lover "Big C" may have had the best understanding of Spain with his focus on their defensive solidity. I think they never quite hit their stride as an offensive team due to injuries.

I am a novice too but it seems to me that Spain's O is just fine. They control the midfield like crazy and possess the ball an insane volume. If you do those things the goals will come (and they did). Their system made them Euro and World Cup champs.
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sluggo
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In reply to tequila4kapp • 11:02a, 7/20/26
tequila4kapp said:
sluggo said:
It turns out that novice soccer lover "Big C" may have had the best understanding of Spain with his focus on their defensive solidity. I think they never quite hit their stride as an offensive team due to injuries.

I am a novice too but it seems to me that Spain's O is just fine. They control the midfield like crazy and possess the ball an insane volume. If you do those things the goals will come (and they did). Their system made them Euro and World Cup champs.

Yes the offense was fine. But I think it was not as dynamic as in the 2024 Euro because Williams and Lamal were coming off injuries. And Oyarzabal is fine but not great, while Torres is a real striker but not an efficient one. I think the defense was even better and suffocated the opponents setting up the offense with enough chances that winning was almost inevitable. Argentina is not bad, but on the third pass they almost always lost the ball.
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sluggo
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In reply to Anarchistbear • 11:06a, 7/20/26
Anarchistbear said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one

I dislike South American soccer in general. It is too rough. I watched the 2024 Copa America in the US and was turned off. If that is Eurocentric, so be it.

According to online info the US may host in 2028. It would be good to target success in that tournament wherever it is.

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sycasey
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In reply to tequila4kapp • 11:07a, 7/20/26
tequila4kapp said:
sluggo said:
It turns out that novice soccer lover "Big C" may have had the best understanding of Spain with his focus on their defensive solidity. I think they never quite hit their stride as an offensive team due to injuries.

I am a novice too but it seems to me that Spain's O is just fine. They control the midfield like crazy and possess the ball an insane volume. If you do those things the goals will come (and they did). Their system made them Euro and World Cup champs.

From what I've heard it seems the rap on Spain is that while they are brilliant at passing and maintaining possession they are not always great at finishing around the goal. Was kind of true in this final, though I would also say that Argentina's goalkeeper played a hell of a game and kept out several good shots.
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Cal88
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11:40a, 7/20/26
Nice eulogy from Liverpool FC for its all time great:

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Anarchistbear
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In reply to sluggo • 11:47a, 7/20/26
sluggo said:
Anarchistbear said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one

I dislike South American soccer in general. It is too rough. I watched the 2024 Copa America in the US and was turned off. If that is Eurocentric, so be it.

According to online info the US may host in 2028. It would be good to target success in that tournament wherever it is.



Messi was fantastic for this World Cup as a fan draw and a real time great. He's Michael Jordan introducing the game to China. And Argentina, defending world champions , fought back constantly for clutch wins. Not better than Spain but a dream matchup for soccer and great WC despite the US team being mostly irrelevant, the major thing for me is that the event has now arrived with or without the US
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Cal88
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In reply to Anarchistbear • 12:30p, 7/20/26
Anarchistbear said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one


Europe, Africa and nearly all of Latin America. Argentina does have a weird devoted following in Bengladesh and India and that's about it.

In Europe people don't particularly hate Argentina other than the Brits (Falklands), but most soccer lovers have been particularly appalled by this Argentina team and the treatment they have been getting from FIFA. You have had for example most of France rooting for archrival England against Argentina, which never happened before, and that was also the case for all my soccer-loving friends from countries like Ireland, Poland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Germany etc, and most American soccer fans I know IRL.

This type of press headlines is not unique to the UK:

"Why unapologetic imposter Lionel Messi is now not even in the top five players of all time - and will forever be tainted as the leader of Argentina's brutes in ugliest World Cup final ever"
https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15990865/Lionel-Messi-Jeff-Powell-World-Cup-final-Argentina.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=social-twitter_mailonline

(To be fair 1990 might have been an uglier final, I think they still allowed GKs handling the backwards pass then and the game was rougher.)

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oski003
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In reply to Cal88 • 12:59p, 7/20/26
Cal88 said:
Anarchistbear said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one


Europe, Africa and nearly all of Latin America. Argentina does have a weird devoted following in Bengladesh and India and that's about it.

In Europe people don't particularly hate Argentina other than the Brits (Falklands), but most soccer lovers have been particularly appalled by this Argentina team and the treatment they have been getting from FIFA. You have had for example most of France rooting for archrival England against Argentina, which never happened before, and that was also the case for all my soccer-loving friends from countries like Ireland, Poland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Germany etc, and most American soccer fans I know IRL.

This type of press headlines is not unique to the UK:

"Why unapologetic imposter Lionel Messi is now not even in the top five players of all time - and will forever be tainted as the leader of Argentina's brutes in ugliest World Cup final ever"
https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15990865/Lionel-Messi-Jeff-Powell-World-Cup-final-Argentina.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=social-twitter_mailonline

(To be fair 1990 might have been an uglier final, I think they still allowed GKs handling the backwards pass then and the game was rougher.)



That's an interesting opinion piece from the ever amazing bastion of journalism, the Daily Mall.

Here is ESPN:

Messi didn't play well in World Cup final vs. Spain: So what? He's still the GOAT

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49405864/messi-played-poorly-world-cup-final-vs-spain-the-goat
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Big C
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In reply to sluggo • 1:23p, 7/20/26
sluggo said:
I started this thread hoping to find some people to talk with about soccer. In that regard it was a big success. Now that we have almost as many posts as the Epstein thread (not all by me!), how does it keep going? I will continue to post news related to the USMNT. I am not really interested in talking about the European season except as it related to the USMNT. But others may have other interests.

For USMNT news, I think the best place is the Scuffed Podcast. They are informative and hilarious. The link is to the Patreon but you can listen for free: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

I think the best news for up and coming players is from Marcus Chairez (https://x.com/USSoccerColl?lang=en and https://www.ussoccercollective.com/).

For a website there is bigsoccer.com. It had gone downhill as users have migrated to X, some to try to make money. But it is still a good place to find stuff. And I suppose there is Reddit, although I don't spend any time there.

If ask them one-at-a-time, I could keep this thread going for quite a while, with my soccer questions.

(I do know the sport a bit, having watched 100+ of my daughter's games and maybe 50+ WC games -- at least half of those this year -- but there are huge gaps in my knowledge and I definitely don't know the sport "deeply".)

Question:

Is the blatant shoving a foul under all circumstances, or just some circumstances? Maybe the refs just don't see it all?
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Cal88
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In reply to oski003 • 1:39p, 7/20/26
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
Anarchistbear said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one


Europe, Africa and nearly all of Latin America. Argentina does have a weird devoted following in Bengladesh and India and that's about it.

In Europe people don't particularly hate Argentina other than the Brits (Falklands), but most soccer lovers have been particularly appalled by this Argentina team and the treatment they have been getting from FIFA. You have had for example most of France rooting for archrival England against Argentina, which never happened before, and that was also the case for all my soccer-loving friends from countries like Ireland, Poland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Germany etc, and most American soccer fans I know IRL.

This type of press headlines is not unique to the UK:

"Why unapologetic imposter Lionel Messi is now not even in the top five players of all time - and will forever be tainted as the leader of Argentina's brutes in ugliest World Cup final ever"
https://www.dailymail.com/sport/football/article-15990865/Lionel-Messi-Jeff-Powell-World-Cup-final-Argentina.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=social-twitter_mailonline

(To be fair 1990 might have been an uglier final, I think they still allowed GKs handling the backwards pass then and the game was rougher.)



That's an interesting opinion piece from the ever amazing bastion of journalism, the Daily Mall.

Here is ESPN:

Messi didn't play well in World Cup final vs. Spain: So what? He's still the GOAT

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49405864/messi-played-poorly-world-cup-final-vs-spain-the-goat


Your own link features an interview of Steve McManaman, Franck Leboeuf and Scottish vet Burley unanimously calling Argentina's showing as disgusting, both because of their horrible unsportsmanship and FIFA's favoritism. This game and Messi's behavior and complete ineffectiveness did taint his legacy.

There are as well tons of articles and reports showing that neutrals celebrating the Argentina defeat as if it was their team winning, here is one from Mexico:






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dajo9
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In reply to sluggo • 3:26p, 7/20/26
sluggo said:
Anarchistbear said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.




It is hardly clear that Messi fouled Spence. Please see clip below.

https://share.google/k5WaiTjzG9dcwr0Wi

While I understand in the heat of the moment Messi wanting the red to be called for covering his mouth, it was right to not call it. The red card on Fernandez was basically closing the door on an Argentine victory. Messi arguing a red for Spain here isn't that big of a deal. You appear incredibly biased against Messi. It comes off in every post you wrote about the Argentine team (who did lack class in the final).


Every neutral soccer fan I know dislikes this Argentina team and what it stands for, thuggery, manipulation, bad winners and losers, as well as FIFA bending over to see them through, from the draw to the noncalls and disallowed goal in the final.


A Eurocentric view I suspect, not a neutral one

I dislike South American soccer in general. It is too rough. I watched the 2024 Copa America in the US and was turned off. If that is Eurocentric, so be it.

According to online info the US may host in 2028. It would be good to target success in that tournament wherever it is.



As I've mentioned I support Brazil and I dont remember seeing them carry on the way Argentina does. Not that I watch a lot, maybe ive just missed it.
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concordtom
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In reply to Cal88 • 4:02p, 7/20/26
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
oski003 said:
Cal88 said:
sluggo said:
Cal88 said:
Spoke too soon,game is RIGGED

On the taken away goal it appeared the Spanish player stepped on the foot/ankle of the defender. Not sure it was rigged.


Vargentina is a worldwide meme for good reason. Their goals, like the one they scored against England after Messi stomped on Spence's foot, taking him out of the action and clearing the way for his cross, never get the same kind of scrutiny that the overturned goals against them do, that is a fact.

Messi has totally disgraced himself with his dirty play like his stomping on the Algerian's achiles and his attempt at selling the ref a red card for Cucurella, good riddance.


" Messi, in absolutely EVERY GAME, tries to draw a foul like that. He's never gotten a card for simulation"



Messi absolutely DID NOT stomp on Spence's foot. Spencer turned his left ankle.


Messi clipped Spence's right foot.

UK telegraph summary of the final:



Despite your accusations that Messi disgraced himself and is dirty, thank you for kind of walking back your false claim that Messi stomped on Pence's foot. It is hard to tell, but there might or might not have been SLIGHT horizontal contact at the top of Spence's right foot. The play wasn't dirty at all. Unfortunately for Spence, he twists his other ankle trying to get the ball. That is part of what leaves Messi open to make the game winning assist to reach the World Cup Final.


Dirty or not, there was a foul on Spence by Messi which contributed to Spence being out of commission and allowing Messi to center the ball unimpeded. Had the ref and VAR crew applied the same standards they have for disallowing the goals from Egypt and Spain, they would have clearly disallowed that goal as well

And if you want to know how much of a cheap b@stard Messi is, look again at this episode, where he tried to make the ref give Cucurella a red card for covering his mouth...


" One of the biggest acts of cowardice I've ever seen a player commit in a World Cup. Even more so being a final...
Messi trying to fabricate a red card for Cucurella out of nowhere.
What a low character move."

Argies have been a bunch of classless thugs who with FIFAs support managed to almost ruin this world cup.


"Same trophy, different class"

Messi's move there reveals his desperation in the contest.

The immature gesture by the keeper 4 years ago reveals his immaturity.
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concordtom
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In reply to ProBonoBear415 • 4:16p, 7/20/26
ProBonoBear415 said:
No sign of Trump in the official SPAIN podium photo.

Why Spain cropped Donald Trump out of World Cup celebration photos - Yahoo Sports


That's because these are the only kinds of pigs Spaniards enjoy.

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BearlySane88
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In reply to ProBonoBear415 • 7:00p, 7/20/26
ProBonoBear415 said:
No sign of Trump in the official SPAIN podium photo.

Why Spain cropped Donald Trump out of World Cup celebration photos - Yahoo Sports




Guess they really hated Trump like Wags said earlier
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Cal88
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7:42p, 7/20/26
Rodri made fun of Trump on the podium mimicking his dance as Trump was hogging the stage just before they lifted the cup.

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Cal88
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8:25p, 7/20/26
" This is how Spain's victory was experienced in every single corner of the world. Fair play won. "


Mbappe and Griezmann celebrating Spanish goal @ 1:01, lol
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ducktilldeath
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9:00p, 7/20/26
Great thread (almost) everyone. Thanks for having it, it was a pleasure to read all the takes as we shared that awesome event. I don't have any futbol friends so it helped provide a connection to the WC that I didn't get irl.
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sluggo
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In reply to Big C • 9:18p, 7/20/26
Big C said:
sluggo said:
I started this thread hoping to find some people to talk with about soccer. In that regard it was a big success. Now that we have almost as many posts as the Epstein thread (not all by me!), how does it keep going? I will continue to post news related to the USMNT. I am not really interested in talking about the European season except as it related to the USMNT. But others may have other interests.

For USMNT news, I think the best place is the Scuffed Podcast. They are informative and hilarious. The link is to the Patreon but you can listen for free: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

I think the best news for up and coming players is from Marcus Chairez (https://x.com/USSoccerColl?lang=en and https://www.ussoccercollective.com/).

For a website there is bigsoccer.com. It had gone downhill as users have migrated to X, some to try to make money. But it is still a good place to find stuff. And I suppose there is Reddit, although I don't spend any time there.

If ask them one-at-a-time, I could keep this thread going for quite a while, with my soccer questions.

(I do know the sport a bit, having watched 100+ of my daughter's games and maybe 50+ WC games -- at least half of those this year -- but there are huge gaps in my knowledge and I definitely don't know the sport "deeply".)

Question:

Is the blatant shoving a foul under all circumstances, or just some circumstances? Maybe the refs just don't see it all?


Blatant shoving is always a foul. But it can't always be seen. Also it could be the other person is grabbing so they are equally fouling and nothing is called.
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SBGold
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In reply to BearlySane88 • 10:12p, 7/20/26
BearlySane88 said:
ProBonoBear415 said:
No sign of Trump in the official SPAIN podium photo.

Why Spain cropped Donald Trump out of World Cup celebration photos - Yahoo Sports





Violation of new rules #2



VOTE BLUE AND FREE WAGS
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concordtom
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In reply to Big C • 10:43p, 7/20/26
Big C said:
sluggo said:
I started this thread hoping to find some people to talk with about soccer. In that regard it was a big success. Now that we have almost as many posts as the Epstein thread (not all by me!), how does it keep going? I will continue to post news related to the USMNT. I am not really interested in talking about the European season except as it related to the USMNT. But others may have other interests.

For USMNT news, I think the best place is the Scuffed Podcast. They are informative and hilarious. The link is to the Patreon but you can listen for free: https://www.patreon.com/scuffed

I think the best news for up and coming players is from Marcus Chairez (https://x.com/USSoccerColl?lang=en and https://www.ussoccercollective.com/).

For a website there is bigsoccer.com. It had gone downhill as users have migrated to X, some to try to make money. But it is still a good place to find stuff. And I suppose there is Reddit, although I don't spend any time there.

If ask them one-at-a-time, I could keep this thread going for quite a while, with my soccer questions.

(I do know the sport a bit, having watched 100+ of my daughter's games and maybe 50+ WC games -- at least half of those this year -- but there are huge gaps in my knowledge and I definitely don't know the sport "deeply".)

Question:

Is the blatant shoving a foul under all circumstances, or just some circumstances? Maybe the refs just don't see it all?


There's always a lot more pushing and fouling in basketball, too, as you move up in the age groups and levels of competition.

Doesn't mean we have to like it when the officiating how's gone so far
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OneKeg
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11:01p, 7/20/26
To bring it back to the USMNT, I almost never watch MLS, but I think I'm going to record Real Salt Lake vs LAFC this Wed. (7/22, 7:30pm) as I believe it is on FS1. Hopefully Zavier Gozo will play.as really that would be the main reason for me to watch, to check out the next likely young addition to the US national team.
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Cal88
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4:49a, 7/21/26
I agree with his take.
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concordtom
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7:15a, 7/21/26
One of the good things about this thread is that nobody came along and created any other soccer thread.
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sluggo
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In reply to Cal88 • 7:53a, 7/21/26
Cal88 said:
I agree with his take.

I am going to mark you down as neither liking Messi or this Argentina team.
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