World Cup 2014 thread

[Goofle]

I can't see this amounting to much for the Netherlands, but it was a truly outstanding performance.

Spain will probably still go through and I would predict them outlasting Holland (or at least going out at the same stage).

[Cuthbert]

Chile vs Australia now btw guise.

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Only in about 70% of the country, as the other 30% is baseball mad especially in the north and parts of the south.

The big problem with Mexican football is that it was always isolated internationally and for many years they only played in the CONCACAF federation and not with the much stronger South American federation, so they're still on catch up.

Makes sense. That last bit reminds me, the US are playing in the Copa America now . Not the next one, one after I think.

I can assure you they're extremely different. Argentina is about 90% European extraction and follows European traditions even more so than some Europeans, in fact the only other country like them in make-up is Uruguay. Whereas Mexico is mostly mestizo and indigenous and about as far from Europe culturally as you can get. The only thing the two countries have in common is language and even then their versions of Spanish are very different

Fair enough, showed my ignorance there a bit didn't I . I was aware of the make up, heard a saying about Argentina that they're a nation of Italians who speak Spanish and think they're Parisians living in London. & half my family come from Mexico & Belize funnily enough .

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Goofle11

Spain will probably still go through and I would predict them outlasting Holland (or at least going out at the same stage).

Holland have a history of starting out like a house on fire and then fading or blowing up when it really matters.

I know they got to the final last time round but it was a very un-Dutch team. As for Spain I don't know, I kind of think they've reached the end of the line, but if they get a good result against Chile and beat Australia then who knows as they've still got the players.

[Goofle]

Spain are definitely at the end of this cycle, for sure. And I don't think they will win it.

Argentina's to lose.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

Makes sense. That last bit reminds me, the US are playing in the Copa America now . Not the next one, one after I think.

They started playing in it in the 1990s, then changed their minds and dropped out, I remember they had a famous victory one year against Argentina in the CA as well. Also Japan used to play in it and Costa Rica as well, I seem to remember Honduras also playing in it, around this time all these teams used to get invites. But Mexico was the team that was always invited.

Fair enough, showed my ignorance there a bit didn't I . I was aware of the make up, heard a saying about Argentina that they're a nation of Italians who speak Spanish and think they're Parisians living in London. & half my family come from Mexico & Belize funnily enough .

The Italians were the big second wave of immigrants and brought a lot of their culture with them. Buenos Aires is like London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon all rolled into one. But its pretty rundown and dirty these days.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Goofle11

Spain are definitely at the end of this cycle, for sure. And I don't think they will win it.

Argentina's to lose.

I can't see anybody outside of Argentina and Brazil winning it, but I think Brazil will crack under the pressure. If I had to pick an outsider then I'd say Uruguay as they've got the mentality and a good crop of players for such a small country, I doubt they'll do it but 1950 does loom there.

But I'd agree that Argentina are the team to stop though.

[Cuthbert]

No England?

[Cuthbert]

Chile looking good 2-0 up already .

This World Cup so far .

[Goofle]

If England found a system that worked, and the players played to their near-best (and a few key players had worldie tournaments) they could win it. I am in no doubt.

[Goofle]

Alexis Sanchez is such a good player. Not watching the game, but felt like saying that.