neuro11 wrote:

Winter is Coming wrote:France are they clear winners here. They have more physicality, athleticism and pace on their team. The team also isn't depedent on one player. Mbappe has been a bit poor these last two games in the WC, yet they reached the final, Messi has been playing amazing which has led them there. 8 of 11 goals for Argentina have come from Messi direct contribution, he has an off game, France shut him down or a mixture of both and Argentina are in trouble.

How can a team reach WC final depending on only one player? Your comment is unjust to others who delivered superbly to help Messi get here. Molina and Alvarez's goals now look so simple and are easily ignored. Even though in the past the supporting casts missed sitters. You remove the contributions of Martinez (two of them), Alvarez, Molina and a few others, do Argentina go past the knockout stages? Messi has three assists because through were converted. This team is superbly low in profile but highly efficient. That's one thing they are heavily dependent on Messi. They are genuinely outperforming themselves due to the influence of Messi. Argentina is not dependent on one man but they are surely playing for one man and I consider that as a strength, not as a weakness. You may shut Messi but I doubt you can't shut his influence.