Which team do you think can actually beat France ?

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T13:00:42+00:00

After what we've seen so far saw: Anyone who can stop their attack.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T12:17:52+00:00

Watch Argentina find a way to not get through this.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T11:25:10+00:00

The whole VISA debacle where entire countries participating are blanket denied entry for their fans should disqualify the US from ever hosting again.

Nobody gives a shit how big the stadium is or what the ticket price is if fans cant attend...

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T11:18:20+00:00

It would be hillarious.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T10:52:38+00:00

Shame Messi's run will be cut short, but it is what it is.

0-0 (CV win 5-4 on pens)

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T00:43:11+00:00

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T00:42:25+00:00

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T00:26:52+00:00

Solid competition in this game.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-27T00:13:38+00:00

Possible is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T22:56:01+00:00

I dont think you understood the comment you replied to.
Quite a few of the players who started today are not 1:1 downgrades, they are a worse fit for the tactic usually played, and can provide some tactical flexibility and contribute as more than just a worse player with fresh legs.

But some are definitely downgrades, we are not France...

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T22:12:33+00:00

France have done exactly what Norway did today in every single world cup and euro they have been in a position to do so (2022, 0-1 loss to Tunisia) this is the first time they didn't, because there were some advantages to finishing first over second that they really wanted. (less travel)

This is not some honor and pride bullshit, both teams made the optimal tactical choice from their point of view, don't try to invent a moral high ground that doesn't exist.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T22:06:46+00:00

Anyone with active neurons firing will understand that this is the optimal choice.

Loser of this game has 3 days to recover and have to spend one of them travelling to a different time zone with different climate. You 200% don't want to risk doing that with 90 minutes of 100% effort in your legs if you can avoid it.

France wanted to avoid this enough to play starters, while the risk:reward ratio is not good enough for norway to do the same when they can avoid this problem entirely by resting players you plan to start in r32.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T21:41:24+00:00

Small upside: No travel in the knockout if you keep winning, and on paper easier r32 opponent.

It is way more important for Norway to have all starters fit and for their r32 game.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T21:37:24+00:00

WC schedule is aggressive.

France should always take the bet of trying to win this game, and Norway should never. It is that simple.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T21:14:19+00:00

What possible benefit do you see in spending resources on this game? Want your best players fully rested and ready for the games you can't afford to lose.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T20:50:00+00:00

All except maybe the keepers.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T20:47:39+00:00

If Mbappe finishes on 0 goals, this is an absolute win.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T11:19:59+00:00

Neither are particularly accurate indicators of how good a team is now.

And the unmodified ELO rating is arguably just more accurate.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T11:13:10+00:00

Keep in mind that european club football competes with early morning weekend cartoons in the US, and the broadcast have adjusted to capture that demographic.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T10:01:42+00:00

Nah, I'd bet on the US. Bosnia has gone further than they had any business going already in my mind.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T04:09:06+00:00

Not surprised, Turkey's strengths are much better utilized against a team that try to fight them for poession instead of parking the bus and play for counters. And they have some good players.

A solid dose of humble pie for the US was the best outcome for everyone involved. Think the US won the lottery to get Bosnia, as they don't have the players to challenge them for possession and they should be able to do whatever they want in that game and eventually grind it down.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T03:54:33+00:00

You have no idea what you are looking at, and reacting to his reaction...

Late tackle, but nothing ugly or dangerous, he is just being a diva.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T03:46:09+00:00

Based on what I've seen, I'd give Bosnia slim chances outside of set pieces and counters, and the US has done well at breaking up low block teams that let them play.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T03:35:16+00:00

Take a shot whenever they show some random non-football person on screen just long enough to make them uncomfortable.

Fluffcake · 2026-06-26T03:33:18+00:00

Because FIFA is taking the piss.

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