The Soccer, Football, Futbol, Fussball, Calcio et al. Thread

[sancho]

My little bro went up to Chicago tonight to see Argentina in the copa america. Messi with a hat trick off the bench. That's like seeing Joe Montana throw five tds or Jordan score 50.

[sancho]

Red, white, and blue. And black?

[sancho]

Somos libres!

Peru beats Brazil for the first time in 35 years on a hand of god goal. Great game.

[sancho]

USA! USA! That was a fun match. Semi's in the Copa America is no small feat.

[sancho]

Ugh. Penalty kicks. A really stupid part of an otherwise great sport.

[sancho]

Well, that was just awful. Messi misses his first shootout PK ever, and it's a huge one. He so depressed, he's talking about not playing for Argentina anymore. I really wanted him to finally be the hero in this thing. I guess that's what makes sports the best drama on TV - it doesn't follow the script.

Chile is pretty much the worst south american country, and they have back-to-back championships.

[sancho]

I will never understand why PK's aren't moved back. As it is now, they are 99% kicker, 1 % keeper. Why would anyone be opposed to finding the sweet spot where they are 50/50? That would be far more interesting at the end of extra time and would also be far more appropriate for an in-game PK.

[Applejack]

Well, that was just awful. Messi misses his first shootout PK ever, and it's a huge one. He so depressed, he's talking about not playing for Argentina anymore. I really wanted him to finally be the hero in this thing. I guess that's what makes sports the best drama on TV - it doesn't follow the script.

Chile is pretty much the worst south american country, and they have back-to-back championships.

Good riddance, Argentina.

[sancho]

Good riddance, Argentina.

The Brasil/Argentina rivalry - so unnecessary! Just share that beautiful waterfall and a love of grilled meat.

Now Peru/Chile - that's a rivalry to get behind. Those rats stole the Atacama desert and all its guano! They slaughtered Miguel Grau, el cabellero del mar!

[sancho]

This might not be on your radar, but Peru is close to its first World Cup birth (berth? they both make sense in a way) since 1982. Tied for 4th in qualifying with matches against Argentina and Colombia remaining.

So many good sports things happening tonight!

[sancho]

This might not be on your radar, but Peru is close to its first World Cup birth

And...we're in! First time since 1982. Peru declared the day a national holiday and gave everyone the day off in anticipation of tonight's game.