Messi has now missed 4 of 8 World Cup career penalties
by backroads (2026-07-07 12:59:06)
Edited on 2026-07-07 13:09:35

Some things just can't be explained logically.

Edit: This record apparently does not count chances in shoot-outs, only in regular and extra time. He made 2 of 2 in shoot outs in 2022. Apologies if the link is paywalled, could not find the gift link.


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he made up for it *
by DBCooper  (2026-07-07 13:47:31)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


The Pharaoh’s are going to win this thing! *
by KnightlyRevue  (2026-07-07 13:32:06)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


VARgentina has nine lives
by backroads  (2026-07-07 14:25:17)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Boy VAR had to earn their FIFA paid trip today pulling an Egypt goal back for an infraction that far back in place and time.


Argentina had a very similar situation on the 3rd goal
by plaid_pants  (2026-07-07 15:41:40)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

but no VAR on that one. I don't like calling back a play for a foul 80 yards away when none of the officials on the field noticed anything. And we only do it if a goal is scored like FIFA wants to be in the business of stopping all of the fun. Argentina had ample time to recover and prevent that goal from being scored. If there had been a quick change of possession in the time in between, would they still have called the goal back?


You’ve seen Messi how many times and you posted this *
by miamioh_irishfan  (2026-07-07 14:24:43)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


Shame. Shame. Shame.
by KnightlyRevue  (2026-07-07 15:21:08)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I was at the game where he held up his jersey to the entire Madrid ultras section after shoving a dagger in our hearts. It was the last play of the game.


ouch *
by baronbutler  (2026-07-07 14:04:38)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


Egypt wearing Falcons colors, in Atlanta…
by iudomer  (2026-07-07 13:47:31)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

With a 4th quarter lead always plays out.


Conspiracy theorists love disallowed Egypt goal
by SixShutouts66  (2026-07-07 15:10:51)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Egypt takes the ball deep in their defensive half and has a brilliant (sorry) counterattack with a pass/tap-in, which would give them a 2-0 lead. (Their later goal was almost a carbon copy. VAR calls the ref over to review whether Egypt committed a foul in their defensive half to set up the counterattack. I realize that a foul can lead to a goal being disallowed, but this seems way beyond the intent - especially since the "foul" seems to occur regularly.

Then a similar situation occurs when Argentina take the ball from Salah in their defensive half via what might have been a foul and counter for their goal.

Not saying anything was wrong, but let the conspiracies continue.


Salah just got his pocket picked. That one was obvious. *
by miamioh_irishfan  (2026-07-07 19:08:39)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


True, but conspiracy theorists don't want or need facts *
by SixShutouts66  (2026-07-07 20:09:43)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


Messi has not had a great game until
by KnightlyRevue  (2026-07-07 13:50:14)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

he did. The guy is a goddamn cyborg. Just unbelievable.


One man's theory on Messi's dribbling superiority
by Porpoiseboy  (2026-07-07 14:34:12)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

I think it is all about his ability to take very fast, tiny strides. His gait is miraculous. His quick steps allow him incredible flexibility in movement selection, direction, quick passes & shots, hell even nutmegs. If I were to coach skill drills, I would model Patrick Kane on ice, Messi on grass.

The guy has truly amazing talents beyond my above description. His first goal against Cabo San Greenbean was, I believe, the goal of the tournament. His first touch on it was beyond next level. But I find his movement at the top of the box, under pressure, better than anyone's due to what I described.


There have been many who are great in tight spaces...
by KnightlyRevue  (2026-07-07 15:27:50)     Delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |  Report Post |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Ronaldinho, Hazard, Zidane, and Iniesta to name a few but no one is like Messi. His instinct to find millimeters of space with quick and decisive dribbles is unparalleled to anything the game has seen. Much like Jordan, Gretzky, Jerry Rice and other legends of sport we are lucky to have been able to enjoy Messi's magic for as long as we have; and this is coming from a Madrid fan who has had his heart torn out by the bastard on numerous occasions. Messi is the best. Plain and simple.