As a kid in the 70's a World Cup coming round meant the chance to watch Brazil and the Dutch. Something sublime would happen or someone new would arrive on the world stage.
Like everything times and things have changed. Organisation has replaced magic.
Being almost as old as God has it's disadvantages but I wouldn't have wanted to miss the late sixties, the seventies and the eighties.
I've never seen a Brazil team this bad. What has happened to this once great nation?
Maybe I spoke to soon 😆
Ironically it was Diop who let him in with the right foot 🫣
The money in European football killed Brazil twenty years ago.
Quote from: Somerset Fulham on June 13, 2026, 11:59:34 PMThe money in European football killed Brazil twenty years ago.
I think you could be right. National identity has been lost.
I thought it was the best match of the tournament so far.
Very boring 2nd half, both teams settled for a draw. Sad to see Brazil just becoming a "normal team" the last 20 years or so..one great goal from Vini Jr but nothing else really.
My most played VHS tape back in the 90s was "The Boys From Brazil" the history of the Brazil National Football team, they really were something very special much of the time, often joyous and magical at their best, between the 1950s and 2002.
In 82 andd 86 they didn't get to the final, but I still remember them as great teams, the classic 82 team of course so great to watch, but also Josimar in 86.
Even their average teams had 2 or 3 players who were just a bit outrageous, a bit unusual, a lot entertaining.
The pragmatism,and over professionalism has really kicked in since then though.
Quote from: demeant0r on June 13, 2026, 11:38:16 PMIronically it was Diop who let him in with the right foot 🫣
Didn't watch the match how did Diop perform?
Quote from: demeant0r on June 13, 2026, 11:35:02 PMI've never seen a Brazil team this bad. What has happened to this once great nation?
The inclusion of a Brentford player! :slap:
Quote from: AJW48361 on June 14, 2026, 08:18:39 AMQuote from: demeant0r on June 13, 2026, 11:38:16 PMIronically it was Diop who let him in with the right foot 🫣
Didn't watch the match how did Diop perform?
Didn't watch the second half but he played fine in the first. There Brazil goal was the only time in the first half that Diop could've done better.
Quote from: AJW48361 on June 14, 2026, 08:18:39 AMQuote from: demeant0r on June 13, 2026, 11:38:16 PMIronically it was Diop who let him in with the right foot 🫣
Didn't watch the match how did Diop perform?
Morocco are set up to suit him. Hakimi is often a long way up the pitch, so they need someone quick and good at breaking things up, exactly his game. Morocco looked more than decent in the first half and look set to have a good World Cup.
Brazil were awful, but awful in a way that doesn't necessarily rule them out of winning the thing.
I find the coaching preference for box to box efficiency over stunning natural ability leading to memorable spontaneous moments quite depressing.
Wonderful if a really gifted 10 year is told to stop beating lots of opponents and scoring from 30 yards. 'Not good for the team son. So cut it out.'
I was very impressed with the Moroccan player, Bouaraddi. He is 18 and plays for Lille.
Quote from: St Eve on June 14, 2026, 11:24:40 AMI was very impressed with the Moroccan player, Bouaraddi. He is 18 and plays for Lille.
Bouaraddi looked very decent.