2024 Summer of Soccer - Euro's, Copa America, Olympics, WCQing (4 Viewers)

[Major]

If Zidane is generally somewhere in that 5-7 position on all-time lists, where do we rank Modric?

It's hard to say. 5 time Champions League winner, huge part of each campaign. Won a Ballon D'Or during the heart of the Messi/Ronaldo period(probably one of the greatest accolades ever). Helped Croatia to a runner's up finish in the WC in 2018. Undisputed starter for Real Madrid through age 37(he wasn't a nailed on starter this year) which shows his longevity.

I feel like if Croatia had somehow found a way to beat France in 2018 he'd be on everyone's top 10 list, but I know I have him easily in my top 20.

Definitely underrated and you make a lot of great points. I think he suffers from doing everything pretty good and at high level for so many years that people take it for granted. Not having the flash or sexiness of a Messi or Ronaldo also hurts with the highlight folks.

 

[NewlyRetired]

not a fan of these 5:00pm Copa starts. not great for either tv or people trying to get to the game when working.

 

[The Gator]

Man Italy almost tie it up, Scamacca should have went back post

 

[Nick Vermeil]

8!

 

[NewlyRetired]

How did so many Mexican fans get into this game to throw all the plastic bottles?

 

[QuizGuy66]

I jinxed Hungary :(

-QG

 

[SoBeDad]

Considering how small Uruguay's pop is, seemed like most of them showed up for the game.

Think they're the wealthiest South American country per capita and seem to travel well. Off topic but crazy to see how much poverty Argentina has experienced recently with their crumbling currency/economy while their next door neighbor is doing just fine. Think they learned their lesson in the early 2000s to stay out of Argentina's business. Recently went to Buenos Aires and was shocked how much suffering is going on down there. It used to be a dollar was worth 5-6 pesos. Now a dollar gets you a 1000

The US Census says 60k people of Uruguayan decent in the USA. I think it's higher if you include 2nd generation of people who migrated during troubled times in the 60s, 70s, & 80s. Many were professionals or started businesses in Miami and the NY/NJ area. My daughter's college roommate was the daughter of a doctor who migrated to NJ in the 80s. Manolo's Restaurant in Miami's little Buenos Aires in North Beach is owned by a Uruguayan. It's famous for churros and always has soccer matches on their TVs. Their accent is similar to the Argentina Spanish accent. Some say Uruguay is an Argentina that works. It's winter in Uruguay, so many travel to the USA anyway. Plus some Uruguayan Americans at the games.

 

[NewlyRetired]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nick Vermeil]

HFS

 

[McBokonon]

Unreal

 

[Major]

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Wow! What a kick in the nads for Croatia

 

[Eephus]

oops

 

[The Gator]

What a beauty!

 

[Mjolnirs]

Croatia, this is why you take it to the corner.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I jinxed Hungary :(

-QG

I get an assist on that goal

The 2-point qualifier dream lives!

-QG

 

[NewlyRetired]

ties in soccer suck

 

[Nick Vermeil]

8!

Time keeper gets the Man of the Match

 

[El Floppo]

Hfs

 

[encaitar]

These are the moments I think of when I hear people ask me "why do you like soccer so much? It's so boring." LOL. Insane finish.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Simply stunning. 180 degree change of emotions in that stadium (and those nations) in an instant.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow! What a kick in the nads for Croatia

what a way for Modric to go out

 

[Capella]

That was so cool I screamed and woke the baby up

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Wow! What a kick in the nads for Croatia

what a way for Modric to go out

Crying into my undersized headband.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Croatia, this is why you take it to the corner.

I was thinking they are doing no timewasting. Just before that last attack, a Croatian just hoofed it forward and then a Croatian player chased the ball down after a whistle and retrieved it for the Italian free kick that lead to the equalizer. It must be a cultural thing.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Croatia, this is why you take it to the corner.

I was thinking they are doing no timewasting. Just before that last attack, a Croatian just hoofed it forward and then a Croatian player chased the ball down after a whistle and retrieved it for the Italian free kick that lead to the equalizer. It must be a cultural thing.

This is probably the only thing Croatia could learn from a Concacaf team........you have to kill that game off.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Croatia, this is why you take it to the corner.

I was thinking they are doing no timewasting. Just before that last attack, a Croatian just hoofed it forward and then a Croatian player chased the ball down after a whistle and retrieved it for the Italian free kick that lead to the equalizer. It must be a cultural thing.

This is probably the only thing Croatia could learn from a Concacaf team........you have to kill that game off.

I mean, they also could have tried not letting a guy stream down the field completely unmarked with 30 seconds left. Seriously what was that defense? There were at least 2 Croatian defenders furthest left on their line and neither looked behind them. They had the whole D bottled up one side of the field. With basically 11 guys defending at that point they somehow managed to leave the entire left 3rd of the field completely unguarded.

 

[McBokonon]

Modric MOTM hostage photo

 

[encaitar]

Croatia, this is why you take it to the corner.

I was thinking they are doing no timewasting. Just before that last attack, a Croatian just hoofed it forward and then a Croatian player chased the ball down after a whistle and retrieved it for the Italian free kick that lead to the equalizer. It must be a cultural thing.

This is probably the only thing Croatia could learn from a Concacaf team........you have to kill that game off.

If this had been US-Panama with Panama having the 1 goal lead how many "injuries" would there have been in those 8 extra minutes? Over/Under 6.5?

 

[Capella]

Modric MOTM hostage photo

Lmao. That sucks.

 

[QuizGuy66]

4 points will definitely get you through now in EURO*

* -Unless you are Ukraine

-QG

 

[Mjolnirs]

Modric MOTM hostage photo

Looks like a proof of life pic during negotiations.

 

[B Maverick]

ties in soccer suck

Ties are awesome. Its the draws that suck!!!!

 

[QuizGuy66]

Croatia, this is why you take it to the corner.

I was thinking they are doing no timewasting. Just before that last attack, a Croatian just hoofed it forward and then a Croatian player chased the ball down after a whistle and retrieved it for the Italian free kick that lead to the equalizer. It must be a cultural thing.

This is probably the only thing Croatia could learn from a Concacaf team........you have to kill that game off.

If this had been US-Panama with Panama having the 1 goal lead how many "injuries" would there have been in those 8 extra minutes? Over/Under 6.5?

6.5 per minute

-QG

 

[akfaK]

Calafiori plays like a young Nesta

 

[akfaK]

Of all players, it had to be the one Laziale on the Italian squad...











But I'll still take it!

 

[McBokonon]

Colombia might prove to be too much for the Fighting Miggy Almirons.

 

[Desert_Power]

Looks like Colombia is hosting the Copa.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Columbia might prove to be too much for the Fighting Miggy Almirons

They can always try NYU.

 

[McBokonon]

Columbia might prove to be too much for the Fighting Miggy Almirons

They can always try NYU.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Looks like Colombia is hosting the Copa.

That support level is amazing. The whole stadium looks like they are in Colombian colors.

If when US meets Colombia, this is going to make the game even more difficult.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Does Houston/Texas have a large Colombian population or did these fans all travel in?

 

[Major]

Does Houston/Texas have a large Colombian population or did these fans all travel in?

Obviously not as many as Mexico but have met a lot of Colombians here. Really impressed with all the yellow shirts though so I'm sure many traveled in.

 

[GregR]

Does Houston/Texas have a large Colombian population or did these fans all travel in?

Not that many, they had to have travelled. Like, 10k in Houston.

 

[GregR]

Just made it to the end of Italy-Croatia. Dayum.

 

[GregR]

Does Houston/Texas have a large Colombian population or did these fans all travel in?

Obviously not as many as Mexico but have met a lot of Colombians here. Really impressed with all the yellow shirts though so I'm sure many traveled in.

I was really surprised how empty the stadium was for Mexico.

 

[heckmanm]

I always thought Andres Cantor had rights to the GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! shtick

 

[prefontaine]

Does Houston/Texas have a large Colombian population or did these fans all travel in?

Not that many, they had to have travelled. Like, 10k in Houston.

I thought it was a lot higher than that so looked it up.

Wiki estimates there are 62k Colombians that live in the Houston area with around 25k of those in Harris County having been born in Colombia (note: I would have guessed most live in Fort Bend but it's not listed as a top county). They played in Houston in 2016 as well and packed the house.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

That ITA-CRO match was nuts.

 

[The Gator]

100% a penalty, wish it was called more often. Direct hand tot he chest and not trying to play the ball at all.