France will play Argentina in the first elimination game later today. It will also be the last elimination game for one of the two teams, while the winner will move on to the quarterfinal round.
As a supporter of France, I was heartened to see that they are going into this game with some confidence, perhaps even some swagger.
However, that could be not such a good things at time, as well, especially with this World Cup. Take a look at Germany, where everyone seemed certain that the German side was on the cusp of winning a repeat title. Look what happened instead. This was the worst performance by a German team in the World Cup in nearly four decades! Argentina had their own funk to struggle through, although they did ultimately make it into the next round. For that matter, Italy did not even qualify, and neither did the Netherlands, although those sides are surely confident, as well. And Team USA was surely confident that they would at least make the World Cup, even though they, too, did not.
Paul Pogba was clear about how glad France should feel to avoid meeting Croatia:
"The best team in Group D is Croatia. They are a great team that were able to beat Argentina."
Pogba's teammate on the French side and Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso agreed:
"Croatia are the best in that group, and we will do everything possible to not finish second."
But Tolisso also took a more cautionary tone, talking about the man who is likely Argentina's biggest threat:
"The Argentines have strong individualities, especially with Messi, who can do anything in a game."
Pogba tried to sum up just how big the stakes are at this level, and how important it is not to overlook any opponents when playing on this level:
"The big teams don't come to party, we come to win, we have quality players, a good squad, winning is possible, but it will not be easy. There are no small teams or bad players in a World Cup, but the road is still long, we have to fight and be very strong."
Let us also keep in mind that Argentina is a great nation in this sport's history. They have often qualified for the later rounds, including qualifying for the final match five times. They are one of only five nations to have won it multiple times (Twice, in 1978 and again in 1986). Indeed, they have had legendary names and talents play, and are generally regarded as the second best team in South American football tradition, and serve as Brazil's greatest rivals. With all of that going for them, and having just narrowly lost the last World Cup final, it certainly would not do to overlook them. So hopefully, France will be confident, yet not overconfident, and will proceed with caution and be mindful to just how dangerous the Argentinian side can be.
Paul Pogba was clear about how glad France should feel to avoid meeting Croatia:
"The best team in Group D is Croatia. They are a great team that were able to beat Argentina."
Pogba's teammate on the French side and Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso agreed:
"Croatia are the best in that group, and we will do everything possible to not finish second."
But Tolisso also took a more cautionary tone, talking about the man who is likely Argentina's biggest threat:
"The Argentines have strong individualities, especially with Messi, who can do anything in a game."
Pogba tried to sum up just how big the stakes are at this level, and how important it is not to overlook any opponents when playing on this level:
"The big teams don't come to party, we come to win, we have quality players, a good squad, winning is possible, but it will not be easy. There are no small teams or bad players in a World Cup, but the road is still long, we have to fight and be very strong."
Let us also keep in mind that Argentina is a great nation in this sport's history. They have often qualified for the later rounds, including qualifying for the final match five times. They are one of only five nations to have won it multiple times (Twice, in 1978 and again in 1986). Indeed, they have had legendary names and talents play, and are generally regarded as the second best team in South American football tradition, and serve as Brazil's greatest rivals. With all of that going for them, and having just narrowly lost the last World Cup final, it certainly would not do to overlook them. So hopefully, France will be confident, yet not overconfident, and will proceed with caution and be mindful to just how dangerous the Argentinian side can be.
This is the link to the article that I used in writing this, and from which I got all of the quotes used above:
FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 France prefer Argentina in the Round of 16 rather than Croatia FIFA World Cup 2018Pogba and Tolisso warn of danger EFE Compartir en FacebookCompartir en TwitterEnviar por email 24/06/2018
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