2018 World Cup

[Stout]

I'll tell you what, Mexico absolutely deserved to get drawn in the end because of their own stupidity. They have a set piece near the opponent's goal with like 3 minutes of stoppage time left, up by 2. Instead of keeping possession, they cross a ball in...idiotic! You keep possession there and the game is effectively over. Instead you give up a goal on the counter and almost give up the lead after. As it stands, you give up a CRUCIAL 1 goal in GD. Now if Germany beats S. Korea at least 2-0, and Sweden beat Mexico 2-0, the likelihood is that Mexico go home. It would have had to be a 3-0 Sweden win otherwise. I love it.

Also, does anybody else loathe that announcer that did the Mexico game? He is worse than useless, and hugely annoying. Hard to understand for an English-language broadcast, and has a terrible sense of humor/commentary style. At least he didn't say hand ball 1,000 times in this match instead of throw in.

 

[Stout]

no I went on an Adriatic cruise and over to Olympia and Athens. but I got to walk the city walls, it is gorgeous. rivals anything I've ever seen in beauty.

I'd think walking the city walls is one of the highlights, followed by walking those streets in that district.

 

[Lorenzo]

England should consider asking to have a few of their players sub out Panamanians to get a better drill for Belgium.

 

[Lorenzo]

I'll tell you what, Mexico absolutely deserved to get drawn in the end because of their own stupidity. They have a set piece near the opponent's goal with like 3 minutes of stoppage time left, up by 2. Instead of keeping possession, they cross a ball in...idiotic! You keep possession there and the game is effectively over. Instead you give up a goal on the counter and almost give up the lead after. As it stands, you give up a CRUCIAL 1 goal in GD. Now if Germany beats S. Korea at least 2-0, and Sweden beat Mexico 2-0, the likelihood is that Mexico go home. It would have had to be a 3-0 Sweden win otherwise. I love it.

Also, does anybody else loathe that announcer that did the Mexico game? He is worse than useless, and hugely annoying. Hard to understand for an English-language broadcast, and has a terrible sense of humor/commentary style. At least he didn't say hand ball 1,000 times in this match instead of throw in.

I agree and personally I won't be mad if mexico fail to qualify with some of the arrogance that they are showing in spite of not scoring enough goals..and I also don't agree with the tactics Osorio used against Germany. Germany were wounded and he gave them a dressing and helped apply pressure to their wounds. if you look at the match last night germany have no interest in team defense. I understand the enthusiasm that mexico have for such a brilliant victory, but germany are not without major problems moving forward.

 

[Stout]

I agree and personally I won't be mad if mexico fail to qualify with some of the arrogance that they are showing in spite of not scoring enough goals..and I also don't agree with the tactics Osorio used against Germany. Germany were wounded and he gave them a dressing and helped apply pressure to their wounds. if you look at the match last night germany have no interest in team defense. I understand the enthusiasm that mexico have for such a brilliant victory, but germany are not without major problems moving forward.

I don't see Germany winning the cup, but I do see them advancing now. Mexico I despise, so I hope they don't advance. Still probably will, but if Sweden can get that win by 2...

 

[Lorenzo]

I don't see Germany winning the cup, but I do see them advancing now. Mexico I despise, so I hope they don't advance. Still probably will, but if Sweden can get that win by 2...

right germany should be worried about their back 1.5 (sarcasm) and their commitment to defending as a team. mexico will be favoured to win, but sweeden defend really well and mexico struggle to score from the build up in normal play. I don't think a 2-0 win by sweeden is impossible. this type of matchup would be similar to watching the USA and mexico play one another.

 

[Stout]

Shaqiri and Xhaka may be suspended:

https://sports.yahoo.com/serbia-coa...g-balkan-war-crime-convictions-160155021.html

 

[Ronin]

Final
England 6
Panama 1

 

[Lorenzo]

Shaqiri and Xhaka may be suspended:

https://sports.yahoo.com/serbia-coa...g-balkan-war-crime-convictions-160155021.html

I need to watch that match if I can. I missed it. I've seen the replay's of the penalty not given to mitrovic and of corse no VAR...

 

[Lorenzo]

Looking forward to the Belgium/England Fixture! I think it will be a great match especially with only pride on the line. I still think Belgium have a lot more talent. Kompany has not even come on yet...

 

[Ronin]

Final
Japan 2
Senegal 2

 

[Ronin]

Mohamed Salah considering quitting Egypt team over Ramzan Kadyrov row - sources

http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-wor...ng-egypt-team-over-ramzan-kadyrov-row-sources

 

[Lorenzo]

I would quit based off of the gross mismanagement of the first game! I can't imagine why he could not go for 15 mins at the end.

 

[Ronin]

Colombia strikes before the half ends.
Colombia 1
Poland 0

 

[Ronin]

Final
Colombia 3
Poland 0

 

[Kel Varnsen]

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[Chaplin]

Iran/Portugal is BRUTAL

 

[Lorenzo]

Iran/Portugal is BRUTAL

what a joke of a game. thanks VAR...the players and the referee were terrible.

 

[Chaplin]

what a joke of a game. thanks VAR

Why was it a joke? I thought it was pretty crazy and dramatic. What you'd want from a final group matchday.

 

[Lorenzo]

Why was it a joke? I thought it was pretty crazy and dramatic. What you'd want from a final group matchday.

all of the stoppages, the players acting, the constant appeals for VAR. I don't enjoy that at all. it is not football. and with all that the ref was poor with the VAR reviews anyway. not a handball and it could have eliminated a team that deserved to win.

edit: sorry chaplin if I am coming off as rude. I don't mean to hijack the thread with VAR whining...clearly i'm not a fan. you make a good point it was exciting to watch and got the blood flowing. for me some good and some bad. I like the fierce competition, but I do not like the antics by some of the players acting trying get someone sent off or get a cheap penalty.

 

[Lorenzo]

I just saw the spain goal to tie. that is what VAR should be doing. that is what it should be for. not what we saw in the Portugal match.

 

[Stout]

Man, if Iran had put Portugal out of the tourney at the group stages...I won't ever root for Iran, but that would nevertheless have been epic.

My soccer-hating mother has such a love for fair-skinned blond men that she's going to watch the beginning of the Iceland match tomorrow just to see them...without me around haha

 

[Lorenzo]

Man, if Iran had put Portugal out of the tourney at the group stages...I won't ever root for Iran, but that would nevertheless have been epic.

My soccer-hating mother has such a love for fair-skinned blond men that she's going to watch the beginning of the Iceland match tomorrow just to see them...without me around haha

Yeah as much as I want to see Ronaldo give his sad face I am ok with them moving on because they deserved it and it will make for a better watch in the knockouts. Iran could have robbed it late. it's crazy to see the likes of Iran and Nigeria almost slay messi and Ronaldo in the group stages. I think that is a sign that they may exit the knockouts early. Higuain almost let messi down one last time LOL. he's thanking the stars that a central defender can hit the target. Nigeria played well tonight, but they just needed to finish off one of those counter attacks. the hand ball not given on VAR for me was ok. it certainly had the BBC experts divided, especially in light of what happened last night. strange, but I guess that is typical world cup referee controversy...

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Yeah as much as I want to see Ronaldo give his sad face I am ok with them moving on because they deserved it and it will make for a better watch in the knockouts. Iran could have robbed it late. it's crazy to see the likes of Iran and Nigeria almost slay messi and Ronaldo in the group stages. I think that is a sign that they may exit the knockouts early. Higuain almost let messi down one last time LOL. he's thanking the stars that a central defender can hit the target. Nigeria played well tonight, but they just needed to finish off one of those counter attacks. the hand ball not given on VAR for me was ok. it certainly had the BBC experts divided, especially in light of what happened last night. strange, but I guess that is typical world cup referee controversy...

I agree with you that it was ok. The problem is that it was the exact same call that was given the night before. IMO, they need to change the handball rule to take out the 'deliberate' part out of it. If your hand is in an unnatural position and it hits your arm, it is a hand ball.

 

[Ronin]

Uh oh Mexico.
Sweden scores.
1-0