World Cup 2026

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If a team in a World Cup (or any tournament) starts off brilliant, do they struggle to keep at that level for the closing stages. Is it better to start off average and gradually build up, the final being your best game?
Generally that's the case. It's rare a team starts off brilliantly and carries it on through a whole tournament, there's generally a dip somewhere along the line and it's whether or not they get through it to the next round. More often than not a tournament winner gradually gets stronger as the tournament goes on.
 
Generally that's the case. It's rare a team starts off brilliantly and carries it on through a whole tournament, there's generally a dip somewhere along the line and it's whether or not they get through it to the next round. More often than not a tournament winner gradually gets stronger as the tournament goes on.

Yes, I had Spain in mind... i doubt they not will play as badly again...

France we're poor 1st half, but a certain gentleman came to the fore in the 2nd half.
 
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Yes, I had Spain in mind... i doubt they not will play as badly again...

France we're poor 1st half, but a certain gentleman came to the fore in the 2nd half.
I doubt Spain will play as badly again as well, but even if the do improve they've shown enough vulnerability that better teams can exploit it when they play them. It's a question of will they? The same applies to France. Senegal are a decent team but they're not potential winners or finalists. But they were the better team first half and showed France's vulnerability at the back and should have been in front at half time. Infact with luck and better finishing they could have been 2 up at half time. The fact so much turned when Mbappe came on shows how key he is and if he can be handled it'll nullify France a lot.

With the size of this tournament there's a lot of scope for teams to improve and build into the tournament as it progresses but also more scope for an off day or slip up. And also some groups are in, my opinion very weak (I think England is in one of the tougher ones) so it's hard to judge how good some teams are because they could be playing within themselves against teams who are raising their game. We'll probably need to wait until after the group games before we can judge.
 
If a team in a World Cup (or any tournament) starts off brilliant, do they struggle to keep at that level for the closing stages. Is it better to start off average and gradually build up, the final being your best game?
That's Spains model marra
 
Got to say, I’m glad I’ve been around to see Messi (and Ronaldo)

Just been an absolute joy watching him for last 20 years. To stay at that level and maintain that motivation. Just insane.

Doesn’t shock you one bit to wake up to ‘Messi hat trick’ even at 38. That says it all.
Pele and Jairzinho for me, thet Brazilian slde were phenominaly good.
 
Got to say, I’m glad I’ve been around to see Messi (and Ronaldo)

Just been an absolute joy watching him for last 20 years. To stay at that level and maintain that motivation. Just insane.

Doesn’t shock you one bit to wake up to ‘Messi hat trick’ even at 38. That says it all.
I hope Ronaldo turns up mind because Portugal have a very good chance of winning it but his last few performances for them have been terrible. Shoot on sight mentality and so wasteful of good chances. Which has generally worked for him for a long time but from the little I’ve seen his shooting has been honking lately.
 
I hope Ronaldo turns up mind because Portugal have a very good chance of winning it but his last few performances for them have been terrible. Shoot on sight mentality and so wasteful of good chances. Which has generally worked for him for a long time but from the little I’ve seen his shooting has been honking lately.
Aye be a real shame if he was dragging his arse through his last tournament.

No doubt seeing Messi last night will have motivated him.