***Official 2026 World Cup Thread***

[Cytasticlone]

Most fans have an appreciation for players that take and play through contact versus trying to draw a foul. In addition to being the goat, I can't say I recall Messi diving. I mean, I'm sure he has, but I remember way more times where he gets fouled over and over, keeps his balance, and then humiliates 2-5 people. Whenever he goes to ground, a foul is pretty much going to get called based on his reputation for staying on his feet,

This is why I love Messi and why he's always been the GOAT to me. If it was ever really close at all with Ronaldo anyway... Messi doesn't go down with little contact like most players and it's part of the reason he's so good. He accomplishes so much more when he stays on his feet.

Here is a clip from the England highlights that shows him brushing off Kane's foul and dribbling past two more players before two more(!) have to foul him simultaneously to take him out. He just doesn't quit.

I believe this should start at the correct time, but if not, it's around the 2:20 mark of the vid.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

Yeah there’s exaggeration, but some of the times they’re rolling around is because something ******* hurt. If you get studs raked down your leg it’s going to hurt, even if you shake it off a minute later.

Just rub some turf pellets on it. It'll be fine

 

[CloneJD]

Yeah, but how often do you see BB players rolling around on the ground in pain?

Getting cleated ******* hurts

 

[cycloneman003]

This game is important to the countries playing in it. Different cultures care differently about different things. Crazy, right?

Looking at the lineups… France staring just 3 of the 11 semi finals starters. England starting 4 of 11 from semis.

Mbappe really only playing to get the golden boot.

These squad do NOT care or want to be there. Let’s be serious. Neither do the countries. You think English fans are going to heap praise on Tuchel if he wins? Nope.

 

[SCNCY]

That was too easy.

 

[BigJCy]

That was too easy.

Going to be defense optional today?

 

[3TrueFans]

Ok now sub off all the attackers

 

[jdoggivjc]

If I were France I'd get Mbappe out of there. It's clear they had no interest in winning the game and only had him out there to try to win the golden boot. And yet all they're doing is managing to humiliate themselves.

 

[Clonehomer]

Gonna be interesting to hear Tom Rennie on the postgame for this one. He’s gonna probably be more mad because this’ll be the excuse to keep Tuchel. He has been going off on him the past couple days and will not like him to remain in his role.

 

[enisthemenace]

France looks terrible. Just mailing it in.

 

[enisthemenace]

This is a ******* joke. France is just standing there.

 

[jdoggivjc]

England might not have wanted to play this game just like France, but England was up for humiliating France. 4-0 at halftime.

 

[3TrueFans]

The game might not mean anything, but losing 8-0 is still going to be embarrassing.

 

[Urbandale2013]

Don't get the lack of interest with this game. Saw a proposal that the winner of the 3rd place game gets automatic qualification for the next WC. I don't remember the 3rd place match being this dumb in the past.

 

[AlaCyclone]

I stopped watching after that first lame goal. You could tell right away, France was ******** up today. Pathetique!

 

[enisthemenace]

That was beautiful. If France comes back…

 

[enisthemenace]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh ****.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Did these guys change uniforms at half? This is like completely opposite of the first half.

 

[JEFF420]

lol england

 

[jmb]

Crazy.

It is like that side of the field is defense free.