The Netherlands and Portugal kick off in about 45 minutes. (It’s on ESPN, if you’re in the States.) I won’t be in the thread until the game starts, but until then, please feel free to talk with each other or post questions or alert me every time the USMNT takes a shot against Venezuela.
I think Van de Beek will shake things up for the Netherlands if he comes on. They can probably afford to play a more attacking midfield, and he's an unpredictable player who makes difficult runs. Nothing really challenged Portugal's defensive shape in the first half. He'll either find space for himself or create it for his teammates.
Weird dynamic in that first half, one you don't normally see: Portugal played that perfectly, ceding the ball and then attacking into space when they got it. Evident in the 10 shots to zero. But! The Netherlands also have two of the best CBs in the world, and a very defensively capable midfield, so none of the chances Portugal created were all that special. That was 45 minutes between 18 players -- Dutch attackers and Rui Patricio weren't really a part of it.
All right, that's it for today. Thanks again for hanging out and for the great questions. Bummer that the game wasn't a little more exciting, but the past few days were fun. We'll definitely do a bunch more of these in the future. [heart emoji]
Also, the post-game reactions are exactly what you'd expect for a tournament that doesn't really have a place in the hierarchy: Dutch players seem less disappointed than they'd be after losing a league game, and Portuguese players seem happy, but no more than that.
Seems pretty easy for Portugal to get behind the Netherlands right now -- and just from possession play, not even off counters. Helps to have great CBs to prevent even a shot from coming from it, but feels like they're in a dangerous spot right now.
What happened to Justin Kluivert? Did he do nothing at Roma this year? The Dutch need something extra in the front 3...I thought he'd be an exciting player for EUROs next year.
Would you try to extend Gini (under contract until 2021)? He'll be 30 by then. On the other hand, his versatility seems like it would be very important in a post-Milner universe, and he was a bit of a late bloomer.
Is Daley Blind the slowest fullback who’s been successful throughout his career? Every time I watch him I wonder how he avoids getting barbecued by quicker players, but he’s been holding it down for a decade. Almost seems like the last of a certain breed, given how important offensively minded fullbacks have become.
I'm very much against the idea of a European Super League for the men. I kind of like it for the women's game though. I think it makes sense because the differences in quality in the domestic leagues are even bigger in women's football and the sport actually needs to grow internationally. Please tell me why I'm wrong.
Ian Darke just pointed out how VVD is somewhat of a late bloomer. Only 27 international caps at age 27. Also, many didn't rate him that highly when he transferred to Liverpool. Now he's the betting favorite for the Ballon D'or
Is his meteoric rise in the last year as unusual as it seems? It's got me thinking of what other players are lurking at mid-table sides just waiting for the right set-up and situation to have a 'late-bloom'
With all of the Ballon d'Or talk about Messi vs VVD, who would be your early prediction 11 for the FIFPro World XI (what a dumb name)? Besides Messi and VVD I feel like Alisson is a lock and there's no way Ronaldo, who was credibly accused of rape, doesn't make it.
Is all this Van Dijk for the Ballon d’ Or talk just another case of Messi/Ronaldo fatigue or does he actually have a case? I casually watched Liverpool all year and was a little surprised to see him win the PFA player of the year. Nevertheless, what are some of the formidable arguments for him?
Luuk de Jong looked about 400 years old on that bicycle kick. Respect for trying, though.
Really nice slip pass from Guedes past De Ligt, who is bad now, to ultimately create the goal for himself.
This certainly feels like a second-game-in-four days at the end of a long season that followed a World Cup summer.
I think Van de Beek will shake things up for the Netherlands if he comes on. They can probably afford to play a more attacking midfield, and he's an unpredictable player who makes difficult runs. Nothing really challenged Portugal's defensive shape in the first half. He'll either find space for himself or create it for his teammates.
Weird dynamic in that first half, one you don't normally see: Portugal played that perfectly, ceding the ball and then attacking into space when they got it. Evident in the 10 shots to zero. But! The Netherlands also have two of the best CBs in the world, and a very defensively capable midfield, so none of the chances Portugal created were all that special. That was 45 minutes between 18 players -- Dutch attackers and Rui Patricio weren't really a part of it.
De Ligt just trucked Ronaldo. The highlight of the game so far.
Paging Ian Darke. Ronaldo isn't particularly good at free kicks. He just gets to take a ton of them.
Bernardo Silva would be so annoying to play against.
That's 165 minutes of Nations League today, and zero goals. Meanwhile, we got nine goals in 270 minutes of World Cup play.
All right, that's it for today. Thanks again for hanging out and for the great questions. Bummer that the game wasn't a little more exciting, but the past few days were fun. We'll definitely do a bunch more of these in the future. [heart emoji]
Also, the post-game reactions are exactly what you'd expect for a tournament that doesn't really have a place in the hierarchy: Dutch players seem less disappointed than they'd be after losing a league game, and Portuguese players seem happy, but no more than that.
Deserved win for Portugal -- "18 shots to 4" is as dominant as it's gonna get in a final. This is a really good tournament team.
These things are always cyclical, but the lack of attacking talent with the Netherlands is a problem.
The Netherlands still only have one shot. Less than 20 minutes left ...
Gotta save that.
I've never seen the ref do the [makes shape of ball motion] at players before.
Seems pretty easy for Portugal to get behind the Netherlands right now -- and just from possession play, not even off counters. Helps to have great CBs to prevent even a shot from coming from it, but feels like they're in a dangerous spot right now.
Bruno Fernandes sure took a lot of shots that half. None of them were very good.
The Netherlands have 58-percent possession ... and zero shots. Portugal have six attempts.
In other news:
-The USMNT is losing to Venezuela, 3-0, at halftime
-Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen is awesome. Go watch her.
This is a good reminder that Fernando Santos's teams are incredibly boring.
Think we should make a distinction:
-Messi SHOULD win the Ballon d'Or. He's the best player in the world and had an incomprehensible season.
But ...
-The award doesn't ever just go to the best player. Team success almost always plays a huge part. Hence, VVD is now the betting favorite to win the award: https://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/ballon-dor/player-of-the-year
The German tv coverage of the game has had no commentary for the last ten minutes. Seems appropriate though.
Starting to get convinced Daryl Morey is right and that playing out of the back so much is high risk/low reward.
I was getting ready to jokingly ask where Renato Sanches is, but apparently he's kick-boxing!
https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/renato-sanches-trains-kick-boxing-in-bid-for-peak-fitness-5036
What happened to Justin Kluivert? Did he do nothing at Roma this year? The Dutch need something extra in the front 3...I thought he'd be an exciting player for EUROs next year.
Really interesting how Europe will now have a trophy every 2 years. Same thing Concacaf has.
Wonder if South America will make that decision someday or if it’s just too tough with all the best players in Europe.
Would you try to extend Gini (under contract until 2021)? He'll be 30 by then. On the other hand, his versatility seems like it would be very important in a post-Milner universe, and he was a bit of a late bloomer.
Is anyone else having a hard time concentrating on the game bc Taylor Twellman is constantly complaining?
I am astounded by the lack of break these guys get. Copa America, this thing, European qualifying.
Must be amazing to be a player who’s not quite good enough to make the national team. Lucas Moura for example.
Incredible tackle.
Folks, things are heating up!!
Great save by Venezuelan keeper
Pretty dominant performance by the home team so far. Can’t see Dutch holding on another 45
US just blew a great chance at goal
Is Daley Blind the slowest fullback who’s been successful throughout his career? Every time I watch him I wonder how he avoids getting barbecued by quicker players, but he’s been holding it down for a decade. Almost seems like the last of a certain breed, given how important offensively minded fullbacks have become.
Ronaldo's in a final shouldn't there be a plague of locusts by now?
I keep thinking "why are Manchester City playing against Portugal?" -- these Nike kits are so similar to one another
I see Ryan Babel open all game long and they cant get him the ball.
How much better would this match be if Ricardo Quaresma were somehow involved?
I'm very much against the idea of a European Super League for the men. I kind of like it for the women's game though. I think it makes sense because the differences in quality in the domestic leagues are even bigger in women's football and the sport actually needs to grow internationally. Please tell me why I'm wrong.
Ian Darke just pointed out how VVD is somewhat of a late bloomer. Only 27 international caps at age 27. Also, many didn't rate him that highly when he transferred to Liverpool. Now he's the betting favorite for the Ballon D'or
Is his meteoric rise in the last year as unusual as it seems? It's got me thinking of what other players are lurking at mid-table sides just waiting for the right set-up and situation to have a 'late-bloom'
HI Ryan, How big a disappointment is the US U-20 loss to Ecuador? The road to the finals was pretty wide open....
With all of the Ballon d'Or talk about Messi vs VVD, who would be your early prediction 11 for the FIFPro World XI (what a dumb name)? Besides Messi and VVD I feel like Alisson is a lock and there's no way Ronaldo, who was credibly accused of rape, doesn't make it.
What's the most fun outcome today?
Ronaldo wonder-goals cancelled out by De Jong brilliance?
Game-winning Memphis Depay golazo after missing 5 easy chances?
I'm not a Portugal fan so I'm having trouble imagining a fun outcome where they win.
Doesn’t it seem ridiculous to factor in performance in the Nations League for the Ballon d’Or?
Is all this Van Dijk for the Ballon d’ Or talk just another case of Messi/Ronaldo fatigue or does he actually have a case? I casually watched Liverpool all year and was a little surprised to see him win the PFA player of the year. Nevertheless, what are some of the formidable arguments for him?