I believe Nacho is playing because someone got hurt?
Carvajal I believe.
Costa with a classic Costa goal. If anything he’s a physical presence up there. May have gotten away with a foul in the buildup so if you think the penalty was weak, we’re even.
1-1
Feels like the World Cup is beginning in earnest Â
I agree with that. However, being the ugly American, there's still too much flopping, even on that magnificent goal (though it didn't work). It detracts from the obvious mad skills a Spain-Portugal match showcases.
if you want to see each team move on. Which I definitely do.
I’d be somewhat encouraged rooting for Spain. Costa showing up is huge, and they generally looked very dangerous. Midfield operated very well. They controlled play.
Portugal counter attacked well. They got goals off a penalty, a bad GK mistake, and an unstoppable free kick. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap. But I think Spain should feel encouraged off their tumultuous week.
doing his Karius impression there on that one goal. Costa looking a lot more fit and fleet than I saw at Chelsea. And as much as I cant stand CR, you gotta hand it to him. Pressure is on Messi now re: WC...
Gotta be fair... He put in a lot of work besides scoring the goals. It's the best he's played for Spain.
Spain has to improve going forward; specifically, they need more energy in the press. They may want to consider shuffling the lineup to include Saul and/or Thiago. Though who do you bench?
But critically I think they have to stop providing easy opportunities to counter them.
Spain has to improve going forward; specifically, they need more energy in the press. They may want to consider shuffling the lineup to include Saul and/or Thiago. Though who do you bench?
Would like to Asensio get action. Guy just makes things happen. Another guy I wish Madrid would use more...
Spain has to improve going forward; specifically, they need more energy in the press. They may want to consider shuffling the lineup to include Saul and/or Thiago. Though who do you bench?
Would like to Asensio get action. Guy just makes things happen. Another guy I wish Madrid would use more...
With Lopetegui in charge both Isco & Asensio will get more playing time. Although it seems Asensio isn't ready for the full time starting role. At least last year he wasn't. A lot of times he was given that chance and he disappeared. He's young though. He will get there.
Madrid needs to play Cristiano at Striker full-time. Give more playing time to Isco, Asensio & Bale. Which I think will happen now that Benzema's fellow Frenchman is gone.
Is there a more clutch player in soccer? It seems every time Madrid or Portugal need him he comes up with a goal. He single handily helped Portugal to a draw. Ronaldo put Guedes in a beautiful spot to score a goal and Guedes took way too long to shoot. Should have had 3 goals and an assist today. Hopefully we get this Ronaldo every game for the World Cup. A good Portugal team will help make this World Cup even more interesting.
I know the chances are very very slim, but I'd love to see Cristiano win the World Cup. Such a good person off the field and has really stepped up to be a leader on the field. He really deserves it. Unfortunately I just don't think Portugal has the talent to match up with Germany, Spain, Argentina or Brazil.
In the link below you can see the reason that Spain will not go too far in this tournament unless things change. Way too much time spent in the middle third of the pitch. They have to defend and press as one and win the ball back farther up the pitch. More energy is needed.
I think Hierro's big decision in this tournament may be if/when hee should replace Iniesta and Silva with Asensio and Thiago.
Incredibly, Hierro might benefit from watching the Red Bulls, who have a policy of not signing players over the age of 25. Aggressive pressing is a young man's game, and to my eye yesterday Iniesta and Silva lacked energy when not in possession. Their creative ability is as great as ever, but their ability to win the ball back (the true key to Spain's style of play) is not. Link - ( New Window )
1-0
disagree on the call, its too early in the game for that to be called a PK. More of a dive IMO
I believe Nacho is playing because someone got hurt?
Carvajal I believe.
Costa with a classic Costa goal. If anything he’s a physical presence up there. May have gotten away with a foul in the buildup so if you think the penalty was weak, we’re even.
1-1
2-1
Also, every corner Spain takes should be short. They play into Portugal's counterattack with each lost corner.
I agree with that. However, being the ugly American, there's still too much flopping, even on that magnificent goal (though it didn't work). It detracts from the obvious mad skills a Spain-Portugal match showcases.
2-2
3-2
Even more hilarious because Terps is always mocking Ronaldo’s free kicks (somewhat deservedly)
Ronaldo is absolutely amazing.
Stupid foul by Pique.
Stupid foul by Pique.
You'll be seeing that a lot more when he comes in two years on Miami or the Galaxy.
They should not play any more corners into the box. Busquets's lack of pace is really exposed when the ball goes the other way.
Isco was incredible. His combining with Iniesta and Alba is tough to cope with.
Great, great game. Let's hope for the sake of the tournament these are the two teams to come out of the group.
Looks like the replay is on FS1 tonight starting at 8p
I’d be somewhat encouraged rooting for Spain. Costa showing up is huge, and they generally looked very dangerous. Midfield operated very well. They controlled play.
Portugal counter attacked well. They got goals off a penalty, a bad GK mistake, and an unstoppable free kick. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap. But I think Spain should feel encouraged off their tumultuous week.
Spain has to improve going forward; specifically, they need more energy in the press. They may want to consider shuffling the lineup to include Saul and/or Thiago. Though who do you bench?
But critically I think they have to stop providing easy opportunities to counter them.
Spain has to improve going forward; specifically, they need more energy in the press. They may want to consider shuffling the lineup to include Saul and/or Thiago. Though who do you bench?
Would like to Asensio get action. Guy just makes things happen. Another guy I wish Madrid would use more...
The quality of play overall was absurd.
Terps, the only two you can swap out are Koke and Iniesta.
Quote:
Spain has to improve going forward; specifically, they need more energy in the press. They may want to consider shuffling the lineup to include Saul and/or Thiago. Though who do you bench?
Would like to Asensio get action. Guy just makes things happen. Another guy I wish Madrid would use more...
With Lopetegui in charge both Isco & Asensio will get more playing time. Although it seems Asensio isn't ready for the full time starting role. At least last year he wasn't. A lot of times he was given that chance and he disappeared. He's young though. He will get there.
Madrid needs to play Cristiano at Striker full-time. Give more playing time to Isco, Asensio & Bale. Which I think will happen now that Benzema's fellow Frenchman is gone.
Quote:
and he converts. I think they got the call right. Is Nacho a better option than Azpilicueta at RB? Not sure
1-0
disagree on the call, its too early in the game for that to be called a PK. More of a dive IMO
Too early in the game? A penalty should be called the same in the 1st minute or the 90th minute.
A dive? He clearly clipped his leg. Nacho even said he did after the match.
I know the chances are very very slim, but I'd love to see Cristiano win the World Cup. Such a good person off the field and has really stepped up to be a leader on the field. He really deserves it. Unfortunately I just don't think Portugal has the talent to match up with Germany, Spain, Argentina or Brazil.
I think Hierro's big decision in this tournament may be if/when hee should replace Iniesta and Silva with Asensio and Thiago.
Incredibly, Hierro might benefit from watching the Red Bulls, who have a policy of not signing players over the age of 25. Aggressive pressing is a young man's game, and to my eye yesterday Iniesta and Silva lacked energy when not in possession. Their creative ability is as great as ever, but their ability to win the ball back (the true key to Spain's style of play) is not.
Link - ( New Window )
His performance yesterday was perhaps the best of his career, but please...