NFT: **World Cup Day 2 - URU/EGY, MOR/IRN, ESP/POR**

I guess???

But that looked good to me.

disallowed I don't think. He missed putting it in. It would've counted.

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biter is back.

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I wouldn't use Salah if I were Cuper as long as it remains scoreless. Save him for the other group matches where getting goals will be more important.

just one touch dude.

Cavani looks in the mood though.

That was one clutch save

and Uruguay botches the rebound.

header. it was about time.

Devastating for Egypt.

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flop for Suarez and the ref rewards it by giving Egypt a yellow.

but the flopping is absurd.

Gutted for Egypt. 0-0 would have been a terrific result

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Based solely on my hatred for Suarez.

where Suarez grabs his head and starts rolling around in pain, that's the time to give a straight red to show that the shit won't be tolerated.

Instead, Egypt got a card for a tackle he also flopped on

This schedule is brutal for Americans. No night games on tv.

In comment 13991821 TyreeHelmet said:

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This schedule is brutal for Americans. No night games on tv.

No replays?

picked up Bentancur for 8m after they picked up a buy option on him for sending Tevez back to Argentina. It looks like that turned out to be a bargain for them.

Tough to play with two center forwards who do the same things. Cavani looked much more in tune with the game.

at least for part of the match

Egypt was trying to steal a tie. Really unfortunate that they conceded in the final minute

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feels like a World Cup finals or semifinal.

what a treat

is going to the turf and forcing the stretcher to come out every possession.

There should be 10 minutes of stoppage time, but you'll never see it that high

this one. Morocco puts in an own goal to lose.

and he converts. I think they got the call right. Is Nacho a better option than Azpilicueta at RB? Not sure

1-0

what would have been a real nice goal.

I believe Nacho is playing because someone got hurt?

In comment 13992047 Kyle in NY said:

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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

great individual effort. Portugal could've went up 2-0 but blew a break.

In comment 13992049 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:

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what would have been a real nice goal. 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

with this match. Fantastic action thus far

that hurts before the half

conceded by De Gea. Probably the last thing I expected to see

2-1

Spilled one against Tunisia, and another against Argentina in March.

Also, every corner Spain takes should be short. They play into Portugal's counterattack with each lost corner.

wow

In comment 13992084 Kyle in NY said:

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with this match. Fantastic action thus far

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.

Just a frightening creative player for the opposition.

They got smashed with the old guard last World Cup. I'm not sure why they didn't implement some aggressive changes.

He might not totally fit with this team. But he’s proving his worth

2-2

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Nacho with a golazo. Andres Cantor might not have a voice after this one

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what a strike

Shows what I know! Spain looking very dangerous

3-2

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was a thing of beauty as well.

makes up for the penalty. For a defender that was sick!!!

De Gea never moved on the free kick

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scoring on a free kick for the national team

What a game.

Even more hilarious because Terps is always mocking Ronaldo’s free kicks (somewhat deservedly)

what a game!

Ronaldo is absolutely amazing.

was sick. Wow. Stunning free kick by Ronaldo.

The only disappointing thing about that match is that nobody wins. What a match

Bravo to both sides

Hell of a goal.

Stupid foul by Pique.

Sometimes the overview was more interesting than the television shot.

Maybe there will be a replay tonight.

reminded me how annoying it is that USA isn’t there. Being glued to your screen for 2 teams you don’t care about really makes it hurt, haha.

In comment 13992187 Go Terps said:

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Hell of a goal. Stupid foul by Pique.

You'll be seeing that a lot more when he comes in two years on Miami or the Galaxy.

I thought they'd fold under adversity. They showed some toughness.

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.

instead they played back the final 15 mins and it cost them.

In comment 13992190 Del Shofner said:

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Maybe there will be a replay tonight.

Looks like the replay is on FS1 tonight starting at 8p

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...

will watch with my son. He's riled up - he has David Silva's sticker in his book.

for the first game tomorrow. I always liked the earlier start times that we see with the 5/6 hour difference from Europe.

I really like Spain except for Costa. He’s such a goon.

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.

In comment 13992371 Go Terps said:

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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...

Both Ronaldo and Isco were unreal. You may not like Ronaldo, but he was just on point in all facets.

The quality of play overall was absurd.

Terps, the only two you can swap out are Koke and Iniesta.

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In comment 13992466 bw in dc said:

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In comment 13992371 Go Terps said: 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.

In comment 13992061 jestersdead said:

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In comment 13992047 Kyle in NY said: 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.

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 )

You know he received a two year suspended prison sentence yesterday right?

His performance yesterday was perhaps the best of his career, but please...