WC 2014 2nd round Argentina vs. Switzerland

[Pepe the Horseman]

Unlucky the Swiss.

[Ouroboros]

Sudden pang of regret as I realise I overlooked the tennis to watch that.

[Ian Royal]

That was dire. Di Maria seems to be their only player who gives a shit and wants to do something. And he was toss. Messi ambles around, occasionally tries to be a world beater and usually fails. The rest of them are just pedestrian and mediocre.

Still serves Switzerland right for playing for penalties for at least 70 minutes of the game.

[Ouroboros]

Messi ambles around, occasionally tries to be a world beater and usually fails.

That guy really needs to learn his limitations.

[PieEater]

Poor game, both Chile and Algeria would have wooped either team

[Ian Royal]

Messi ambles around, occasionally tries to be a world beater and usually fails.

That guy really needs to learn his limitations.

In his defence, he has to try to do it all on his own because the rest of his team isn't interested. I'd just like to see him work a bit more for it.

Two best players in the world at the tournament. Both of them them thoroughly underwhelming. Whilst Campbell and James tear up the competition.

[Whore Jackie]

Poor game, both Chile and Algeria would have wooped either team

And, indeed, either Belgium or the U S A.

[Ouroboros]

Both of them them thoroughly underwhelming. Whilst Campbell and James tear up the competition.

Messi has 4 goals in 4 games - one free kick, one goal from 25 yards - and 1 assist for a match-winner.

He's been thoroughly underwhelming? Really?

[Ian Royal]

Both of them them thoroughly underwhelming. Whilst Campbell and James tear up the competition.

Messi has 4 goals in 4 games - one free kick, one goal from 25 yards - and 1 assist for a match-winner.

He's been thoroughly underwhelming? Really?

Yeah, he has.

That's like arguing a team that plays shit for 80 minutes each match but grinds out 3 1-0 wins is playing brilliantly, just because they've won three matches.

He's the best player in the world, and he's managed to be thoroughly mediocre for most of most matches, occasionally sparking into some semblance of his actual quality and punishing a team with one action.

[Ouroboros]

That's like arguing a team that plays shit for 80 minutes each match but grinds out 3 1-0 wins is playing brilliantly, just because they've won three matches.

Not really.

It's a bit like arguing that a team that plays average for 80 minutes each game and then scores a beautiful goal to win it isn't "underwhelming."

But it's a bit more like arguing that the one player responsible for those moments isn't "underwhelming."

It surely speaks to the expectation on him now that a couple of sensational moments in each game, while given less space and more attention than any other player at the world cup, is apparently not good enough.

[Ian Royal]

That's like arguing a team that plays shit for 80 minutes each match but grinds out 3 1-0 wins is playing brilliantly, just because they've won three matches.

Not really.

It's a bit like arguing that a team that plays average for 80 minutes each game and then scores a beautiful goal to win it isn't "underwhelming."

But it's a bit more like arguing that the one player responsible for those moments isn't "underwhelming."

It surely speaks to the expectation on him now that a couple of sensational moments in each game, while given less space and more attention than any other player at the world cup, is apparently not good enough.

I wouldn't describe much, if anything, I've seen from him as sensational.

I expect a little more from the best player in the world than very occasionally turning it on and doing something good.

Compare his performances, for example, to Muller or James. Both have looked far more impressive and played far larger roles in games. James has also pulled off a truly world class goal.