2024 Euro Soccer (Final)

France 1-2 Spain

Spain had a great look in the early minutes of the match but couldn't connect on the header in the box; France went right back down the field and did connect on their header in the box to snatch the early lead and it felt like we might have a match. The next 25 minutes or so was pretty exciting, with Spain managing to tie it up and then take the lead in successive possessions. But that was about it. After that the French just kept spinning their wheels and Spain just casually possessed the ball without worry until the game was over. The first 30 minutes were high octane excitement, but after Spain took the lead, they pretty well sucked the life out of the match. France is nice, a lot of nice players, but they don't do much as a team, there's no real center, no real identity, you'd think it would be Mbappe, but he disappears for long stretches and the overcompensates when he does finally get the ball. This team is listless and searching when it feels like they ought to be dominating right now with good depth all over the pitch and a good mix of youth and veterans. I dunno, maybe they'll figure it out by the next World Cup. 

Netherlands 1-2 England

The Dutch got it started with an unexpected rip from 30 yards out and at first it felt like Netherlands might dominate. But after that initial score, the English took over possession and were able to tie it before halftime on a PK; I was surprised the ref didn't call the penalty right away (actually I thought he did and was surprised to find that he didn't), it looked like a foul to me, but he waited for VAR and then re-watched the video multiple times....wtf? What was he looking for? It was pretty obviously a foul right away! Anyway, for the most part the English struck me as the better team in possession and I expected them to score again. And, in typical English fashion, they waited til the final minute to do it, but they did score the winning goal--what a rip it was! He turned and fired it quick from a poor angle, the defender didn't react and the keeper, I think, fell asleep--which calls attention to the fact that the Dutch played so low energy in the 2nd half that when it came time to make plays, they just didn't have it in them to do it. England was the better team, the more confident team on the ball and the better attacking team and they got the goals. The Dutch scored a delicious goal early on but they just never got after it from that point on, they were lackadaisical and didn't protect the ball. 

Final

Spain - England

Spain likes to get a lead then take the air out of the game by dominating possession; England likes to wait til the last minute to get the goal they need. Gotta go with Spain here. Their offense is the best defense in this tourney and unless England scores first (preferably before halftime), I don't think they'll get their chance late to keep it going. If Spain avoids giving up a PK, I think they're the better team and should pull through.

2022 World Cup

France 4-3 (PKs) France

Weird game, probably the most lopsided 3-3 tie I've ever seen in any sport. Put it this way: France had 3 goal scoring chances and they scored all three of them, while Argentina had four million chances and scored three of them. Mbappe had a hat trick and came up big when the time was right, but Messi controlled the game and moved the ball forward for 120 minutes. Argentina more or less dominated the first 70 minutes or so, then France got a PK and a quick follow up (mirroring Argentina's scores from the 1st half) and the game got tight. But, even still, Argentina was the better team, had the better midfield control and was more dangerous around the goal. 

Fun game, the last 40 minutes or so of game time was gripping stuff, but Argentina was clearly the better side throughout and Messi the indisputable MVP.

2022 World Cup (Final)

Semifinals

Argentina 3-0 Croatia

This game was as wide open unpredictable as any match I've seen in ages, maybe like an NCAA Final with two great teams or a Masters where everyone is balling out. I had no idea what would transpire, so when Argentina was up 2-0 at the half, I still figured Croatia could win 3-2--I would not have been shocked. But, man, Messi was so fuckin' good in the 2nd half, just owned the game, took it over like Nikola Jokic: he just did whatever needed to be done like a boss. That third goal was pure Messi, thing o' beauty. I thought the PK that kicked off the scoring in the 1st half was 50/50: there was clearly contact so a replay isn't gonna change anything, I'm just so used to the keeper being given more leeway than everyone else that I'm surprised they called that contact, I thought it was even; Messi nailed the perfect finish (the one Harry Kane couldn't put away against France). Then soon after that Croatia gave up a video game goal: you're playing FIFA, you start thinking about getting an oil change or something, the computer's got the ball but he's not doing anything, you expect the ball to get poked away, it never does, now you're down 2-nothing. It was one of those, not a brilliant play but Argentina, just good ol' persistence kept the possession and went coast to coast with it. Nice work by Argentina, Messi played great, Croatia just never got lucky, made a coupla bonehead plays and that was that. 

France 2-0 Morocco

When Morocco gave up an early goal (5th minute) to France, I wasn't that worried; I knew Morocco wasn't gonna change anything about their game, though maybe they had a chance to get an equalizer. Well, Morocco really did control possession for the most part, but France's counter was pretty good. So even though Morcco held the ball and moved it well for the most part, the French still seemed more dangerous around the goal. When France got that 2nd goal (in the 80th minute), it finally let off the tension, because Morocco really could've tied that game up. Morocco was good at all phases of the game except shooting, they never really get one decent rip in the whole game, even though they held possession well and were sneaky in the offensive mid. But, France was able to overcome the chaos, got two kooky goals out of it and they're moving on. France has the home run potential of Brazil but more confidence in the midfield like Portugal or Spain, they're a good team; but if Morocco had a little more shot making up front, France might be playing the consolation game. 

3) Morocco (legit top notch defense, loved the keeper, their attacking midfield was effective against a lot of different teams; but they're goal scoring just wasn't effective enough; they deserved this run, this is a good squad, though I didn't get a feel for how old/young they are and the African teams are notoriously up and down, so not sure if they'll be nearly as tough in 2026)

4) Croatia (good team, savvy veterans, classy footballers, but they needed some luck and they did not get any against Argentina; Croatia is definitely on the map, their recent success is not a surprised, but I'm not sure this team makes it back in 2026)

Final

Croatia - Morocco

Could be a fun match. Morocco is sturdy, good in defense (though they get stretched on the counter), pretty good holding the ball. Croatia is a veteran side, patient, opportunistic but I think a little more geared toward making the big play than they ought to be. Also, gotta factor in who actually wants to play another game after losing in the semis and who is ready to just go home; I think they'll wanna play and should be rather conservative. I think I like Morocco to find the goal (maybe in OT) and I think Croatia fails to counter. I'll take Morocco.  

France - Argentina

My pre-tourney prediction was Belgium over France in the Final. Belgium did not live up to my expectations--even after they were gifted an opening game W against Canada, a team that more or less dominated them for 89 minutes and 55 seconds. But I'm not shocked to France here in the Final. They've got a ton of talent all over the field, Mbappe has been pretty great and has plenty of speed and moxy to the outside to make plays even at the highest of levels. I've been sandbagging Argentina all the way through because they didn't look special to me and I'm more used to see decline in the older teams; but then again this is the era of Lebron and Tom Brady, Federer and Nadal and, well, Messi. This team is and has been much better than I've given them credit for and their big man is feeling it. I like Argentina, I expect Messi to play the game of his life and while I expect France to be good, they look kinda half-ass to me, like they're waiting for the miracle instead of putting in the work. I think France has the better, younger talent, but I think Argentina is in it to win it like nobody I've seen in a while. I like Argentina (they're playing like they really fucking want it).

2022 World Cup (Semifinals)

Quarterfinals

Brazil 1-2 (PKs) Croatia

Brazil really let this one slip away. If they had put their effort into a for-real half court offense, controlling possession and pushing toward a ball control attack, I'm frickin' positive they would've scored goals. This would've left Croatia no hope but a searching counterattack, which I just don't think would've worked. Brazil scored first in OT but they couldn't parry the final Croatian push and then missed PK after PK (which is pretty un-Brazil, no?).  Croatia is a nice team, loads of veteran savvy and pride and while they don't have the depth of talent that Brazil possesses, Croatia was able to put together a cohesive game plan and Brazil didn't. 

Netherlands 2-3 (PKs) Argentina

Thought it was notable that all that Dutch youth wilted in OT and the Argentines dominated the attack late. Felt like the Dutch had their chance to establish the tempo early (nope) and still they could have come on late (got an equalizer, but I was thinking of a game winner or at least a dominant possession attack), but they didn't do either of those things, nor did they do anything in OT. So Argentina is moving on, the veteran savvy still getting it done (though I'm still dubious of how good they actually are). 

Portugal 0-1 Morocco

Not the most exciting game. Morocco got their goal (nice header off a long cross) and they made it hold up. I thought Portugal was old and that Morocco was underrated and that's how this match played out. 

France 2-1 England

Man, France was the better team with the deeper talent but England had their chance to extend the match but Harry Kane missed a late PK (ouch, that one's gonna hang in English lore for a long long time) and France is moving on. France has so much talent all over the field, Mbappe still has another level to get to (watch out, Morocco!), and that offense can score a ton real fast. France is the best of the remaining sides, not a slam dunk, but I'd say they're the team to beat. 

5) Brazil (this is disappointing, this team could've won it all and they didn't even score on Croatia in 90 minutes nor did they keep their advantage or shine out in PKs; Brazil has been weird for, like, 20 years now, they still got the talent, but are they ever going to find the coach that pulls it together?)

6) England (loaded with stars (but is that the same as 'talent'?), feels like they had a disappointing run but I'd say top 8 is a pretty good result; this could be one the old head teams in 2026)

7) Netherlands (good young squad, definitely could've bested Argentina, they just didn't; I'm guessing they'll still be good in 2026)

8) Portugal (one last run with the old guard, feels like this team will totally different in 2026)

Semifinals

Argentina - Croatia

Two oldhead squads that shouldn't have made it this far--and one of them is to going to the Finals! I dunno, man, this match could go in any direction, I can see either team getting hot and winning big, I can see either team stealing it late, I can see either team winning in OT or PKs. This one is wide open, I suspect the Man of the Match will be someone unpredictable. 

France - Morocco

France is the better team, Morocco's goalie has really been kinda great so far, if he can keep them in the match, then Morocco can certainly pull off the upset. But I don't think that happens, I think (unlike Brazil), France will concoct the proper game plan and will execute it to victory. Feels like France might drop bombs on the Moroccans late, we'll see, but this could an onslaught for the French.

2021 UEFA Nations League (semifnals)

Okay, I'll be honest: I have no idea what the Nations League tournament is, but this is a brilliant final four, so I'll take it.  This is an in-between World Cups filler event, I suppose? Doesn't really seem necessary as all the continents have tourneys in the interval, but whatever, more top level soccer is fine with me. Two great games, looking forward to two more.

Italy 1-2 Spain

Both teams started off this match in full-on defensive mode, felt like not much was gonna happen. But that dissipated pretty quick when a beautiful cross (breathtaking! Kelly to Reed, Aikman to Irvin, Brady to Moss kinda shit!) found the goal and it was on. Spain connected once more in a lovely series of passes that ended with a killer header back across the goal right before halftime. I thought Italy kinda dominated after halftime but they were only able to cut the lead in half (on a killer breakaway). Hey, man, great game, glad I stumbled on to this. 

Belgium 2-3 France

Unlike the first game, this one was wide open chaos from the get-go. Belgium found the goal first when the keeper got caught leaning the wrong way (like a baserunner getting picked off of first). Belgium connected again right before halftime on a nifty move by Lukaku to get himself open at the goal. (One could argue that the keeper probably should've saved both goals but I'd say the first one caught him off guard and the second one had some serious power on it at point blank range, neither of them were as easy as they may have looked sitting on your couch at home) Mbappe came alive in the 2nd half and found Benzema in the box, who had a perfect off-balance lefty touch in traffic, to get on the board. Then Mbappe scored the PK that tied it up (gotta say: didn't look like foul to me at first but the replay was clear that it was the right call). Lukaku had a goal waived off for off-side late (brilliant finish but he had a step on the defender, didn't he?), then Pogba doinked one off the crossbar soon after, then after all that France found the goal with a nice run up the right side leading to a cross to the other side of the field, which caught the defense all out of shape and that led to the game winner. Started crazy, ended c

crazy, good stuff in between. Another fun game.  

Euro Soccer

Ain't gonna lie: I was rooting against Portugal the entire tournament but they managed to squeak through again and again all the way to the Championship. They had only 1 win in 90 minutes in the entire tournament (1 W, 3 Draws, 2 OT Wins, 1 PK Win)...and still won it all. Kooky, man. Eder is the man, what a goal--did not see that coming!

I don't want to say Portugal was a better team without Christian Ronaldo but his absence befuddled France without diminishing the Portugal attack. Remember a coupla years back when the Clippers had a 3-2 lead on the Rockets and a ridiculously huge lead in Game Six, ready to wrap it up: then the Rockets benched James Harden, went on a run to steal the game and stunned the Clippers. Its not that the Rockets were better without Harden, its that the Clippers were so focused on Harden that they paid no attention to the rest of the team. I think that's what happened to France: once Ronaldo left the game with an injury (and come on, folks, he was hurt, he wasn't jaking it out there, if he could've played I guarantee he would have) France didn't make any adjustments. They could've realigned themselves to move the ball forward, instead they kept walking right into Portugal's sludge-y midfield and getting bogged down.

Also, I thought subbing Payet and Giroud near the end was kinda weird considering how dangerous they looked throughout the tournament (and especially considering overtime and PK's were in the offing). And, yes, I know Pogba is a defender but, man, don't you want him closer to the goal? His touch is amazing and he has a great offensive sense, just seems like putting him at defensive mid is kind of a waste.

Kind of a shame, I thought France was the best team (Germany 2nd, Italy 3rd, with some ordering of Wales, Poland, Iceland, Portugal next I guess) but you gotta win the big game to get the big trophy. (Hmmmm.....when Jurgen Klinnsman leaves Team USA for England, will Didier Deschamps be interested in the USA job?)