In the first 20 minutes of the game. Is there anybody having a worst World Cup then de Gea? He's faced four shots on goal and has saved none of them. The only GK in the World Cup that hasn't made a single save.
In the first 20 minutes of the game. Is there anybody having a worst World Cup then de Gea? He's faced four shots on goal and has saved none of them. The only GK in the World Cup that hasn't made a single save.
Maybe the Madrid player that gifted him a breakaway.
Both of Spain's matches against them have been away games.
And regarding Isco, he's been absolutely brilliant. That said he has changed how Spain plays a bit and they're having a hard time adjusting. They aren't as organized, and it's resulting in extreme vulnerability to counterattacks.
Isco and Iniesta on another level.... But that D, way too loose... The giveaway was between Iniesta and Ramos... Costa also a tad sloppy had several opportunities. I suspect Spain will come through in the second half.
Isco and Iniesta on another level.... But that D, way too loose... The giveaway was between Iniesta and Ramos... Costa also a tad sloppy had several opportunities. I suspect Spain will come through in the second half.
it was ingrained at an early age, but I am down to one game a week and don't buy any of their products anymore and the Giants have way too many whiners.
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
Saudis had a similar call today.
That group ended up being a giant pain in the ass Â
Iran and Morocco could easily have come out of it themselves.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
RE: That group ended up being a giant pain in the ass Â
Iran and Morocco could easily have come out of it themselves.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
Agreed.... But the Gallego should be in instead of Costas, don't you think?
Gotta be fair, Costa had three goals before today in two matches Â
I'd be fine with Aspas in for Costa, but I don't think Costa is necessarily a problem.
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
RE: Gotta be fair, Costa had three goals before today in two matches Â
I'd be fine with Aspas in for Costa, but I don't think Costa is necessarily a problem.
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
I'd stick with todays lineup sans Costa, I really like Aspas and his speed could come into play, that and he reminds me of a young Villa, sniper kind of striker. We would lose the height taking out Costa but I think it's the way to go Isco is playing lights out so far... The defense worries me in that the counters have been too many and too predictable. Anyhow let's hope the host country doesn't get the calls like South Korea did back in 2002...
You say should the w/e thread stay or should it go. I say start new. You say it should stay. Then there's this thread and you're posting like a banshee and don't even revert to say, oh well, new thread. Outta here!!
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
You say should the w/e thread stay or should it go. I say start new. You say it should stay. Then there's this thread and you're posting like a banshee and don't even revert to say, oh well, new thread. Outta here!!
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
I could see that in real time and in replay with the line drawn as overlay, the Moroccan defender had a leg beyond the Spanish player. Close but onside. I think the Assist Ref was blocked on the play because of the lean.
lol
Yeah, it was Ramos, as messed up as Pique has been. Didn't even seem he tried to elevate much to get his head on the ball on Marocco's go-ahead (winning!! (: ) goal.
It's true, I did not see an illustrator shot where a line was drawn from the his attacking position to the leg of the Morocco defender, so I yield on both counts.
And, you're absolutely correct, as an AR, if there are bodies in your line of vision--and AR's are instructed to keep to a line equal with the second to last defender (with the keeper most of the time being the last) or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line--it is impossible to see through the body blockade.
on the bench, and not starting in such a huge moment, is bewildering to me. I think the guy is one of the best scorers in the world and infinitely better than Higuain. And as usual, Higuain shanks a great opportunity. Fortunately, Rojo bails him out with the goal of his life.
But I’m glad Argentina got through because the WC is so much more interesting with Messi in it.
on the bench, and not starting in such a huge moment, is bewildering to me. I think the guy is one of the best scorers in the world and infinitely better than Higuain. And as usual, Higuain shanks a great opportunity. Fortunately, Rojo bails him out with the goal of his life.
But I’m glad Argentina got through because the WC is so much more interesting with Messi in it.
If anything, this World Cup so far has shown the importance of having a traditional CF like Higuain, Giroud, Gomez, etc. In a tournament where everyone is organized defensively, creative attacking players need a CF to play off of and for them to take up space. Look how much better Argentina looked with Higuain in there, same as Germany when Gomez gives them that target.
Low’s track record is undeniable but he sure made some strange decisions for this tournament. Starting with leaving Sane home. I understood the rationale but they sure looked like they could have used him
but to me it looked like the biggest problem was assimilating Werner. He's a wonderful player at RB Leipzig, but that team is all about counterattacking and using his pace. The only team Germany would maybe have to counterattack against in this entire tournament would be Spain. Everyone else would lose the possession battle against them.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
but to me it looked like the biggest problem was assimilating Werner. He's a wonderful player at RB Leipzig, but that team is all about counterattacking and using his pace. The only team Germany would maybe have to counterattack against in this entire tournament would be Spain. Everyone else would lose the possession battle against them.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
That's the point I made last night - you need a CF to take up space in a tournament where everyone will be organized defensively. Think Luca Toni. I have no idea why Lowe never changed his approach. Play 2-3-5 with Kimmich and Brant as wingbacks.
RE: Mexican fans once they went down 2-0 were about to have Â
a collective nervous breakdown because one German goal would have eliminated them
And Germany missed four gimme headers in the last 10 minutes of regulation and extra time - Gomez (1) and Hummels (3). And Gomez shanked an easy tap in from 15 feet...
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
Did you watch this game? Kroos and Ozil constantly whipped in crosses. Germany just couldn't finish. Hummels missed 3 and Gomez missed 1. And they were sitters.
Germany had NO pace up front. Zero. That's the difference Sane would have made. At least he and Draxler, if he played, could have really pressed the pace. Muller and Gomez were just staggering up the pitch...
Germany have been arguably the worst team in the WC. They deserved nothing less then to go home now . Perhaps as well SK players have been spared army duty now for this glorious upset.
He is one of the most overrated stars in the game. I see him a lot on Arsenal. 75% of the time he is asleep on the pitch. And as mentioned, leaving Sane's pace and work rate at home is inexcusable. Lowe has to go.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
Did you watch this game? Kroos and Ozil constantly whipped in crosses. Germany just couldn't finish. Hummels missed 3 and Gomez missed 1. And they were sitters.
Germany had NO pace up front. Zero. That's the difference Sane would have made. At least he and Draxler, if he played, could have really pressed the pace. Muller and Gomez were just staggering up the pitch...
Draxler was shit when he was in all tournament.
What a day it would be if Brazil went out to day as well Â
But Germany didn't need Sane's pace to create the crosses - they needed Gomez on the end of them, and they needed it from minute 1.
They needed pace like Sane, and Draxler, to apply more pressure and wear down the outside backs. Speed also kills. Their attack was like watching United under Moyes.
He is one of the most overrated stars in the game. I see him a lot on Arsenal. 75% of the time he is asleep on the pitch. And as mentioned, leaving Sane's pace and work rate at home is inexcusable. Lowe has to go.
Totally agree. He's the big tease. His sulking is like watching Jay Cutler on the pitch.
Here is his resume at Arsenal - play one really good game, then play five do-nothing games. Repeat.
It will be interesting to see what Barca does with Coutinho. They're in dire need of midfielders (they don't have much past Busquets and Rakitic), but that doesn't seem to be the best way to employ Coutinho.
Mexico really fucked themselves today. They're looking at Brazil in the round of 16 when they could have been facing Switzerland.
I didn't catch much of La Liga as the race was pretty much decided before he arrived and he wasn't eligible for Champions League.
Seems like he could fit nicely as the CAM in their midfield three, potentially filling Iniesta's role, no? Brazil has been playing him in the midfield behind the front three and he's looked phenomenal.
They tended to play a 4-4-2 with Busquets/Rakitic in the middle, and either Iniesta or Coutinho on the left. Coutinho played well enough, but the general feeling was that he'd might be better off in Neymar's old LW role in a 4-3-3. But what does that mean for Messi and Suarez? And Dembele?
Lots of questions at Barca. Despite their excellent season there was pressure on them to revert back to their traditional 4-3-3. If I had to guess the clock may be ticking on Suarez's time there (maybe 2018 is his last season), and a future front 3 of Coutinho-Messi-Dembele is a possibility. But for the upcoming season Coutinho's versatility may see him play a variety of roles.
So Brazil/Mexico in the round of 16. Absolutely Mexico really blew it today. Had a reasonable path to the semi finals but now will get Brazil and possibly Belgium.
but to me it looked like the biggest problem was assimilating Werner. He's a wonderful player at RB Leipzig, but that team is all about counterattacking and using his pace. The only team Germany would maybe have to counterattack against in this entire tournament would be Spain. Everyone else would lose the possession battle against them.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
That's the point I made last night - you need a CF to take up space in a tournament where everyone will be organized defensively. Think Luca Toni. I have no idea why Lowe never changed his approach. Play 2-3-5 with Kimmich and Brant as wingbacks.
This tournament is proving your point right. It's interesting to look at the last two tournaments' (2010 & 2014) leading goalscorers vs. what we've seen already only in the opening round (and considering that two of the top scorers Kane and Lukaku have only played twice):
6 goals: James Rodriguez
5 goals: Muller
4 goals: Messi, Neymar, Van Persie
2018:
5: Kane
4: Lukaku, Cristiano
3: Cheryshev, Costa
In the previous two tournaments, only Klose, Vittek, and maybe Higuain and Forlan are what you would call traditional target strikers. The rest of the list is dominated by wingers, false 9s, and midfielders.
Obviously 2018 is turning out differently. Maybe that will be the tactical takeaway. The world may be moving on from the styles that Spain and Germany built in the late 2000s.
I know that Kroos provided one of the moments of the tournament with his goal against Sweden, but he may have been the single worst player of the first round. To summarize:
1. He jogged and was late getting back for the Lozano goal in the Mexico game.
2. He made the turnover, and then jogged back as the pass for Sweden's goal went just over his head.
3. He inexplicably played the ball back to Kim for the 1-0 goal today.
Kroos is an excellent player, but the physical and mental sharpness were not there at all.
surprised Germany was bounced. Thought for sure that the win over Sweden would right them.
I have to look to Low's selections as the issue. Gomez provided an immediate impact in the last game. With Kimmich and Werner/Brandt providing crosses, Germany should have had a couple of goals per game on those chances alone.
I don't think Sane would've added much value since they already had excellent wing play. They simply didn't capitalize on their chances and certain players looked cooked - Ozil and Khaderia being two. Muller as well. And Kroos had way too many instances of not appearing to give effort.
The parallels between this Germany and Spain 2014 are many. Germany weren't definitively blown out like Spain were by the Dutch, but both Mexico and South Korea easily could have scored 4 or 5 goals each had they been more clinical.
To play the way these guys do (when it's going good), you need a lot of sharpness to move the ball quickly and hunger to get it back even more quickly when you lose it. Finely tuned machines - impossible to stop when humming but the slightest problem could destroy the whole thing.
One interesting thing about Germany is that they won the 2017 Confed Cup with a B team that played quite differently from this team. They may be better off making some difficult decisions going forward (moving on from Kroos, Muller, etc.) and embracing the Confed Cup team.
at the World Cup can be somewhat unpredictable given that these guys are coming off a long grueling season domestically. Kroos was great for Real Madrid every time I saw him. Maybe something was off with him physically because he definitely didn’t look himself, I agree there
Guys like Ozil and Muller though have not been the same players for their clubs for years now. They maybe should have been phased out of the national team
This is a pretty cool clip of some of Spain's players showing some skills. I'd slam my hand in a car door to have that kind of control. It would certainly help playing indoor... Link - ( New Window )
but to me it looked like the biggest problem was assimilating Werner. He's a wonderful player at RB Leipzig, but that team is all about counterattacking and using his pace. The only team Germany would maybe have to counterattack against in this entire tournament would be Spain. Everyone else would lose the possession battle against them.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
That's the point I made last night - you need a CF to take up space in a tournament where everyone will be organized defensively. Think Luca Toni. I have no idea why Lowe never changed his approach. Play 2-3-5 with Kimmich and Brant as wingbacks.
This tournament is proving your point right.
In the previous two tournaments, only Klose, Vittek, and maybe Higuain and Forlan are what you would call traditional target strikers. The rest of the list is dominated by wingers, false 9s, and midfielders.
Obviously 2018 is turning out differently. Maybe that will be the tactical takeaway. The world may be moving on from the styles that Spain and Germany built in the late 2000s.
I think Michael Cox made the point before the tournament that the trend in club football is pressing but that hasn't translated to national teams.
So it's easy to connect that the smaller, quicker attackers players that are needed to beat a pressing style aren't as effective against 2 banks of 4 whereas Lukaku or a Gomez is going to be able to create chances for others and score off crosses.
Cruel way to go. This tournament has been rough on the African sides. Senegal out on yellows, the Rojo goal against Nigeria, Morocco's own goal against Iran, and the doubts around Salah for Egypt.
Senegal OUT on Fair Play points. Awful way to be eliminated.
They should do penalty shootouts to decide the tiebreaker
Penalty shootout would be awkward here as Japan and Senegal were playing against other teams simultaneously in arenas about 500 miles apart (Samara and Volgograd). You could do it the next day, I suppose, but everything is supposed to be determined today so far as who advances.
I'm not sure. Go Terps would know. But I did check that Japan and Senegal were identical in both goals scored and goals against, so that's why the yellow cards were used.
About 90 minutes after the final group games ended, Sepp Blatter put some slips of paper in some balls in some bowls, swished them around a bit, then drew that the Netherlands would go on to have a spitting competition with West Germany, and sent Ireland off to penalty shootout heroics against Romania.
An actual spitting competition or is that a figure of speech for a match?
Extra games or penalty shootouts would be farcical. Everybody knew the rules going in, and Senegal surely knew the situation before today's matches started.
About 90 minutes after the final group games ended, Sepp Blatter put some slips of paper in some balls in some bowls, swished them around a bit, then drew that the Netherlands would go on to have a spitting competition with West Germany, and sent Ireland off to penalty shootout heroics against Romania.
An actual spitting competition or is that a figure of speech for a match?
FMIC - it's a reference to the famous spitting incident between Rudi Voller and Frank Rijkaard. Link - ( New Window )
Extra games or penalty shootouts would be farcical. Everybody knew the rules going in, and Senegal surely knew the situation before today's matches started.
I agree. BTW, yellow cards may decide England-Belgium in the standings as well - they are both going in tied in points, goals for and goals against. Neither will be knocked out, but 1st can be a lot better than 2nd in terms of next opponent.
RE: Real Madrid drastically lowered Cristiano's buyout clause today Â
Arsenal announced they are signing Sokratis for 17.6 million pounds. Probably 1-2 years off his prime, but still solid. Wenger probably would have already signed 2 attacking mids and a winger.
Arsenal announced they are signing Sokratis for 17.6 million pounds. Probably 1-2 years off his prime, but still solid. Wenger probably would have already signed 2 attacking mids and a winger.
I'm looking forward to watching Arsenal with Emery. He's a good manager who inherited a ridiculous situation at PSG.
...I agree. BTW, yellow cards may decide England-Belgium in the standings as well - they are both going in tied in points, goals for and goals against. Neither will be knocked out, but 1st can be a lot better than 2nd in terms of next opponent.
And this morning's results make who finishes atop the Group a bit less compelling--because Senegal is out and I suspect both Eng and Belg wanted to avoid second spot so as not to face Senegal had it topped its Group--but now, with a wounded but still dangerous Colombia (James) and an unimpressive Japan--pick your odds. Guess the betting is to avoid Colombia and may the better team win!
England and Belgium are tied in points, goal differential, and goals scored. Thus they are down to yellow cards. We could see each team trying to accumulate yellow cards to finish in second in the event that a 0-0 looks inevitable.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them both come out flat in their respective round of 16 games.
I'll take the possible managers' [plural, because both seem to have deployed the JV] other side of that argument: in a game the outcome of which does not seem to loom over large, you have had an entire bench worth of your teams not having played a competitive minute for a month or more (none in two weeks of WC + Club season finished in May?]: why not get some other guys sharp, maybe makes your starting 10 field guys hungry to watch. Air traveling around Russia for two weeks, could use a break.
Does anybody David Platt's goal against Belgium in 1990? Â
It was really one of the greatest shots you'll ever see. It was England vs Belgium in the knockout stage of the World Cup in Italy, and they'd played to a 0-0 draw right through extra time.
In the final minute of extra time, Gazza sent a chip into the corner of the box, and as the ball came over his shoulder, Platt (who had come on as a sub) made a perfect volley into the far corner of the net. And then the game was over.
No one wants to lose, but as pointed out the winners side is much tougher. All this showed was that both teams have good B teams, with Belgiums a little better. I like both teams, and wouldn't be surprised to see them both in the semifinals.
I haven't seen anything to move me off my Uruguay pick. Didn't concede, and beating up on the hosts 3-0 is impressive. I'm not sure I saw a better player in the group stage than Diego Godin. That guy is a rock, and he dealt well with the monstrous Russian striker.
I haven't seen anything to move me off my Uruguay pick. Didn't concede, and beating up on the hosts 3-0 is impressive. I'm not sure I saw a better player in the group stage than Diego Godin. That guy is a rock, and he dealt well with the monstrous Russian striker.
We are all in - we got the Cavani sticker and my old #7 Napoli shirt.
They obviously need to improve, and I hate playing the host country. Spain lost to the host in '96 (England on PKs), '02 (South Korea on PKs after being completely ripped off), and '04 (Portugal).
If they play well against Russia though I won't be able to keep the optimism from seeping in.
I won't be able to keep the optimism from seeping in....
Just repeat to yourself: Piqué Piqué Piqué
lol I actually like him and want Spain to do well, primarily because of Iniesta, such a consummate deep playmaker who has somewhat re-made himself into a playmaker in the PA, he alone would justify an emotional wish to crown Spain a champion, but then there's Ramos
If you're the guy guarding the post, you're going to spend the rest of your life remembering the time you looked like you were leaning against a pole at a bus stop while the goal that put your country out of the World Cup was scored in front of you. Link - ( New Window )
Especially England with a possible path of Colombia w/o James and Sweden/Switzerland. It would be disappointing if the Three Lions failed to make their first WC Semi since 1990.
Spain should also make it but Croatia is no joke and that's a potential matchup where Modric, Perisic, Rakitic and Kovacic could overwhelm Spain in the midfield and KO them
RE: I just took another look at Colombia's goal from today Â
If you're the guy guarding the post, you're going to spend the rest of your life remembering the time you looked like you were leaning against a pole at a bus stop while the goal that put your country out of the World Cup was scored in front of you. Link - ( New Window )
Haha - wtf was that guy thinking?
Note the Valderama sighting at the very end - in his prime he was a favorite player of mine.
RE: I'm trying hard to quell any optimism for Spain Â
They obviously need to improve, and I hate playing the host country. Spain lost to the host in '96 (England on PKs), '02 (South Korea on PKs after being completely ripped off), and '04 (Portugal).
If they play well against Russia though I won't be able to keep the optimism from seeping in.
Spain should handle Russia no matter where they play. It's a possible Croatia matchup in the quarters that is awful for the Spanish...their midfield is aging and Croatia's is in its prime
Maybe not the same depth, but huge quality in their starting XI. Besides the obviously excellent midfield, Mandzukic has a knack for matching up with smaller fullbacks and overpowering them. His movement is excellent.
Especially England with a possible path of Colombia w/o James and Sweden/Switzerland. It would be disappointing if the Three Lions failed to make their first WC Semi since 1990.
Spain should also make it but Croatia is no joke and that's a potential matchup where Modric, Perisic, Rakitic and Kovacic could overwhelm Spain in the midfield and KO them
I wouldn't be surprised to see the opposite to see Colombia in the semis. It will be an away game for England, and there's still enough talent on Colombia that they could pull it off.
Chelsea in talks to bring Golovin over. And, of course, the big move of Wayne Rooney to MLS!
you posted a couple excellent highlights on this thread:
Quote:
I just took another look at Colombia's goal from today
Go Terps : 6/28/2018 11:03 pm : link : reply
If you're the guy guarding the post, you're going to spend the rest of your life remembering the time you looked like you were leaning against a pole at a bus stop while the goal that put your country out of the World Cup was scored in front of you.
Guy was literally leaning on the post with his elbow bent at his waist and then just watches the header go past him!!
RE: I just took another look at Colombia's goal from today Â
If you're the guy guarding the post, you're going to spend the rest of your life remembering the time you looked like you were leaning against a pole at a bus stop while the goal that put your country out of the World Cup was scored in front of you. Link - ( New Window )
It will be an internet meme!
I have France, Brazil, Spain and England in the Semi's Â
Boy Russia folded like a cheap suit.
Maybe the Madrid player that gifted him a breakaway.
And regarding Isco, he's been absolutely brilliant. That said he has changed how Spain plays a bit and they're having a hard time adjusting. They aren't as organized, and it's resulting in extreme vulnerability to counterattacks.
That just won't do, especially if they face who I think has been the best team of the first round, Uruguay.
What a save is right.
Yank Costa and slide in Asencio.
Spain has suddenly made things a bit more complicated...
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
...yet you watch the NFL...
Quote:
bunch of guys whining at the ref.
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
...yet you watch the NFL...
it was ingrained at an early age, but I am down to one game a week and don't buy any of their products anymore and the Giants have way too many whiners.
just turned it off.
that's enough soccer for me until 2022.
Bye! See you in 4 years!
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
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but I love watching the World Cup. What are the handball rules? I would think it has to be somewhat intentional. That call in the Portugal game looked atrocious.
It was atrocious. Cost me my bet and Portugal the group.
Saudis had a similar call today.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
I'd like Spain to beat Russia (though their monstrous center forward will pose a problem), but I wouldn't pick them to beat Croatia if it comes to that.
Agreed.... But the Gallego should be in instead of Costas, don't you think?
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
Guillem Balague (his Youtube channel has been phenomenal viewing during this tournament) made a great point that there are "2 Spains" playing right now. There's Busquets - Iniesta - Silva, and there's Isco - Costa - Koke/Thiago. All of these players are excellent and bring different things to the table, but they are not meshing - the former group is about positioning and ball retention whereas the latter is more direct and less organized.
Either approach on its own could work, but blending them has so far proved difficult. It's resulting in disorganized buildups that, when they break down, are hugely vulnerable to counterattacks.
That might be easier to deal with if Busquets had any pace and if De Gea were a different type of goalkeeper. De Gea is a shot stopper - he is not a distributor and he has no interest in being a sweeper/keeper. Spain needs a Neuer or Ter Stegen that prevents problems by reading the game rather than solving them with acrobatic saves.
Hierro has to recognize that counterattacks must be prevented at all costs. It's too late now to make huge changes in personnel or strategy...the team is what it is. Just do little things to prevent counterattacks:
- Short corners (a short corner produced the Aspas goal)
- More tactical fouls (I believe Busquets was the only guy on a yellow entering today)
- Keep Thiago (or possibly Saul) in to accompany Busquets
This team is very different from '08-'12. It's going to sink or swim on scoring goals rather than preventing them.
I'd stick with todays lineup sans Costa, I really like Aspas and his speed could come into play, that and he reminds me of a young Villa, sniper kind of striker. We would lose the height taking out Costa but I think it's the way to go Isco is playing lights out so far... The defense worries me in that the counters have been too many and too predictable. Anyhow let's hope the host country doesn't get the calls like South Korea did back in 2002...
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
- I thought it was Pique who was caught looking at Iniesta's (too soft) touch pass back, and not Ramos. Am I wrong? If Pique, two glaring errors that led to goals.
- I also maintain that the offsides call was correct. I think the US football "clear error" (or whatever) standard should apply. His body lean brought his shoulder and upper body beyond the line of the 2nd to last Moroccan defender.
- And this selective invocation of VAR just shits the bed: How can you award Spain the goal on the offside call yet not review the takedown of Berg in the PA by Boateng and a second Germany defender in the 20th minute or so of H1.
- And to bitch further, even though perhaps a bit one-sided, the referee in Spain-Marocco was properly issuing cautions in H1 for reckless, late, and dangerous fouls, and, guess what: imo, the game cleaned up in 2H measurably if not completely. Had the officials in Switzerland-Brasil, or Switzerland-Serbia or many others officiated to respect the sport which is at the same time respecting the safety of the players, especially the players you would expect to be targeted, it would be better soccer and not as ugly as many of these matches have been, with less of the stage dramas to boot.
As messed up as Pique has been, it was Ramos...
IMHO, of course.
Yeah, it was Ramos, as messed up as Pique has been. Didn't even seem he tried to elevate much to get his head on the ball on Marocco's go-ahead (winning!! (: ) goal.
It's true, I did not see an illustrator shot where a line was drawn from the his attacking position to the leg of the Morocco defender, so I yield on both counts.
And, you're absolutely correct, as an AR, if there are bodies in your line of vision--and AR's are instructed to keep to a line equal with the second to last defender (with the keeper most of the time being the last) or the ball, whichever is closer to the goal line--it is impossible to see through the body blockade.
He scored one in Champions league that was better, he's like a real life NHL 94 trick.
Just saw that replay. Incredible.
Wow good call
but I go back to the crazy inconsistency of refs in this WC as to what will be called a foul in PA in terms of holding
Feel good if Messi + Arg can get through
Jon, is that a goat or a ram w/Messi astride? lol
Holy shit is Maradona fat. NIce shot of him giving the double finger to someone.
Feel good if Messi + Arg can get through
Jon, is that a goat or a ram w/Messi astride? lol
Pretty sure a goat, referencing the greatest of all time haha.
But I’m glad Argentina got through because the WC is so much more interesting with Messi in it.
We'll see how that plays out in the KO round....
But I’m glad Argentina got through because the WC is so much more interesting with Messi in it.
If anything, this World Cup so far has shown the importance of having a traditional CF like Higuain, Giroud, Gomez, etc. In a tournament where everyone is organized defensively, creative attacking players need a CF to play off of and for them to take up space. Look how much better Argentina looked with Higuain in there, same as Germany when Gomez gives them that target.
That is correct. Mexico needs to get themselves a goal.
Instead, they plod on with Gomez and Muller.
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does Germany advance based on the head to head win? Cause right now it looks like Sweden will have the better goal differential.
That is correct. Mexico needs to get themselves a goal.
I’m pretty sure the first tiebreaker is goal diff. Germany needs to make up ground on Mexico or Sweden.
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In comment 14000675 njm said:
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does Germany advance based on the head to head win? Cause right now it looks like Sweden will have the better goal differential.
That is correct. Mexico needs to get themselves a goal.
I’m pretty sure the first tiebreaker is goal diff. Germany needs to make up ground on Mexico or Sweden.
Germany just needs to win at this point to advance, unless Mexico somehow scores 2.
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In comment 14000675 njm said:
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does Germany advance based on the head to head win? Cause right now it looks like Sweden will have the better goal differential.
That is correct. Mexico needs to get themselves a goal.
I’m pretty sure the first tiebreaker is goal diff. Germany needs to make up ground on Mexico or Sweden.
I had made that post because I believed Germany would get the goal they needed. Wow.
Whoever wins this World Cup should just go to Qatar 2022 with a completely different team. It's tough to stay hungry after winning it.
VAR reviews and a SK player get drilled in the groin with a Kroos kick...
Holy shit what a choke and botch job.
it was 6 then South Korea scored and celebrated for over 2 minutes, so they added 3 more minutes.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
Spain is actually the betting favorite right now, incredibly.
Not a chance in hell they would do that. A Mexico loss and Germany win in almost all scenarios puts Mexico out
No, that doesn't make any sense.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
That's the point I made last night - you need a CF to take up space in a tournament where everyone will be organized defensively. Think Luca Toni. I have no idea why Lowe never changed his approach. Play 2-3-5 with Kimmich and Brant as wingbacks.
And Germany missed four gimme headers in the last 10 minutes of regulation and extra time - Gomez (1) and Hummels (3). And Gomez shanked an easy tap in from 15 feet...
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
Did you watch this game? Kroos and Ozil constantly whipped in crosses. Germany just couldn't finish. Hummels missed 3 and Gomez missed 1. And they were sitters.
Germany had NO pace up front. Zero. That's the difference Sane would have made. At least he and Draxler, if he played, could have really pressed the pace. Muller and Gomez were just staggering up the pitch...
Der deutsche Untergang--The German downfall (Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung)
Raus, Raus, Raus--Out, Out, Out (Frankfurt, same paper)
Vorrunden-aus! Was sagt Jogi zu seiner Zukunft! (Germany out in the prelims! What does Jogi (Low) say about his future? (Bild)
Aus! Aber so haben wir auch nicht mehr verdient--Out, but we did not deserve that anyway (Bild)
Ich packe meine Koffer...und nehme das DFB-team mit--I pack my bags and take the German team home with me (Die Zeit)
Deutschland scheitert erstmals in der Vorrunde--Germany falls for the first time in the preliminary round (Die Zeit)
Die historische Schmach der deutschen Nationalmannschaft--The historic failure/disgrace for the German national team (Die Welt)
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I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
Did you watch this game? Kroos and Ozil constantly whipped in crosses. Germany just couldn't finish. Hummels missed 3 and Gomez missed 1. And they were sitters.
Germany had NO pace up front. Zero. That's the difference Sane would have made. At least he and Draxler, if he played, could have really pressed the pace. Muller and Gomez were just staggering up the pitch...
Draxler was shit when he was in all tournament.
Ulreich in the CL semifinal for Bayern
Neuer vs. South Korea thinking he was Salah running down the wing
And although Ter Stegen hasn't had one recently, he has a history of howlers
They needed pace like Sane, and Draxler, to apply more pressure and wear down the outside backs. Speed also kills. Their attack was like watching United under Moyes.
Enough said.
The only time the goalkeeper should ever come forward is if you have a corner or set piece and you absolutely have to score
Totally agree. He's the big tease. His sulking is like watching Jay Cutler on the pitch.
Here is his resume at Arsenal - play one really good game, then play five do-nothing games. Repeat.
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Great play maker. Now with a year under his belt with Messi at Barca, I expect even bigger things this year.
Imagine if Liverpool still had him and Salah playing in tandem...
It will be interesting to see what Barca does with Coutinho. They're in dire need of midfielders (they don't have much past Busquets and Rakitic), but that doesn't seem to be the best way to employ Coutinho.
Mexico really fucked themselves today. They're looking at Brazil in the round of 16 when they could have been facing Switzerland.
Seems like he could fit nicely as the CAM in their midfield three, potentially filling Iniesta's role, no? Brazil has been playing him in the midfield behind the front three and he's looked phenomenal.
Lots of questions at Barca. Despite their excellent season there was pressure on them to revert back to their traditional 4-3-3. If I had to guess the clock may be ticking on Suarez's time there (maybe 2018 is his last season), and a future front 3 of Coutinho-Messi-Dembele is a possibility. But for the upcoming season Coutinho's versatility may see him play a variety of roles.
So Brazil/Mexico in the round of 16. Absolutely Mexico really blew it today. Had a reasonable path to the semi finals but now will get Brazil and possibly Belgium.
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but to me it looked like the biggest problem was assimilating Werner. He's a wonderful player at RB Leipzig, but that team is all about counterattacking and using his pace. The only team Germany would maybe have to counterattack against in this entire tournament would be Spain. Everyone else would lose the possession battle against them.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
That's the point I made last night - you need a CF to take up space in a tournament where everyone will be organized defensively. Think Luca Toni. I have no idea why Lowe never changed his approach. Play 2-3-5 with Kimmich and Brant as wingbacks.
This tournament is proving your point right. It's interesting to look at the last two tournaments' (2010 & 2014) leading goalscorers vs. what we've seen already only in the opening round (and considering that two of the top scorers Kane and Lukaku have only played twice):
2010 top scorers:
5 goals: Muller, Forlan, Villa, and Sneijder
4 goals: Higuain, Klose, & Vittek
2014:
6 goals: James Rodriguez
5 goals: Muller
4 goals: Messi, Neymar, Van Persie
2018:
5: Kane
4: Lukaku, Cristiano
3: Cheryshev, Costa
In the previous two tournaments, only Klose, Vittek, and maybe Higuain and Forlan are what you would call traditional target strikers. The rest of the list is dominated by wingers, false 9s, and midfielders.
Obviously 2018 is turning out differently. Maybe that will be the tactical takeaway. The world may be moving on from the styles that Spain and Germany built in the late 2000s.
1. He jogged and was late getting back for the Lozano goal in the Mexico game.
2. He made the turnover, and then jogged back as the pass for Sweden's goal went just over his head.
3. He inexplicably played the ball back to Kim for the 1-0 goal today.
Kroos is an excellent player, but the physical and mental sharpness were not there at all.
I have to look to Low's selections as the issue. Gomez provided an immediate impact in the last game. With Kimmich and Werner/Brandt providing crosses, Germany should have had a couple of goals per game on those chances alone.
I don't think Sane would've added much value since they already had excellent wing play. They simply didn't capitalize on their chances and certain players looked cooked - Ozil and Khaderia being two. Muller as well. And Kroos had way too many instances of not appearing to give effort.
To play the way these guys do (when it's going good), you need a lot of sharpness to move the ball quickly and hunger to get it back even more quickly when you lose it. Finely tuned machines - impossible to stop when humming but the slightest problem could destroy the whole thing.
One interesting thing about Germany is that they won the 2017 Confed Cup with a B team that played quite differently from this team. They may be better off making some difficult decisions going forward (moving on from Kroos, Muller, etc.) and embracing the Confed Cup team.
Guys like Ozil and Muller though have not been the same players for their clubs for years now. They maybe should have been phased out of the national team
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In comment 14000749 Go Terps said:
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but to me it looked like the biggest problem was assimilating Werner. He's a wonderful player at RB Leipzig, but that team is all about counterattacking and using his pace. The only team Germany would maybe have to counterattack against in this entire tournament would be Spain. Everyone else would lose the possession battle against them.
I don't think Sane would have been an answer either. They may have done better playing with Mario Gomez as the attacking reference point. With their wingers and fullbacks they would have been able to generate crosses to Gomez at their pleasure. Against Mexico and South Korea that should have been enough.
That's the point I made last night - you need a CF to take up space in a tournament where everyone will be organized defensively. Think Luca Toni. I have no idea why Lowe never changed his approach. Play 2-3-5 with Kimmich and Brant as wingbacks.
This tournament is proving your point right.
In the previous two tournaments, only Klose, Vittek, and maybe Higuain and Forlan are what you would call traditional target strikers. The rest of the list is dominated by wingers, false 9s, and midfielders.
Obviously 2018 is turning out differently. Maybe that will be the tactical takeaway. The world may be moving on from the styles that Spain and Germany built in the late 2000s.
I think Michael Cox made the point before the tournament that the trend in club football is pressing but that hasn't translated to national teams.
So it's easy to connect that the smaller, quicker attackers players that are needed to beat a pressing style aren't as effective against 2 banks of 4 whereas Lukaku or a Gomez is going to be able to create chances for others and score off crosses.
I could see them missing out as Poland looks lethargic and Senegal is not allowing many chances.
I think it's still that, but Japan and Senegal were identical in those regards here. That's why they went to yellow cards.
They should do penalty shootouts to decide the tiebreaker
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Senegal OUT on Fair Play points. Awful way to be eliminated.
They should do penalty shootouts to decide the tiebreaker
Penalty shootout would be awkward here as Japan and Senegal were playing against other teams simultaneously in arenas about 500 miles apart (Samara and Volgograd). You could do it the next day, I suppose, but everything is supposed to be determined today so far as who advances.
I'm not sure. Go Terps would know. But I did check that Japan and Senegal were identical in both goals scored and goals against, so that's why the yellow cards were used.
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I bet senegal would totally go for a replay of Japan game.
An actual spitting competition or is that a figure of speech for a match?
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About 90 minutes after the final group games ended, Sepp Blatter put some slips of paper in some balls in some bowls, swished them around a bit, then drew that the Netherlands would go on to have a spitting competition with West Germany, and sent Ireland off to penalty shootout heroics against Romania.
An actual spitting competition or is that a figure of speech for a match?
FMIC - it's a reference to the famous spitting incident between Rudi Voller and Frank Rijkaard.
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I agree. BTW, yellow cards may decide England-Belgium in the standings as well - they are both going in tied in points, goals for and goals against. Neither will be knocked out, but 1st can be a lot better than 2nd in terms of next opponent.
Arsenal announced they are signing Sokratis for 17.6 million pounds. Probably 1-2 years off his prime, but still solid. Wenger probably would have already signed 2 attacking mids and a winger.
I loved Voller's reaction when he was spat at a second time!
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Arsenal announced they are signing Sokratis for 17.6 million pounds. Probably 1-2 years off his prime, but still solid. Wenger probably would have already signed 2 attacking mids and a winger.
I'm looking forward to watching Arsenal with Emery. He's a good manager who inherited a ridiculous situation at PSG.
I loved Voller's reaction when he was spat at a second time!
No kidding. If ever a facial expression could say, "The fucking balls on this guy!"
Yellow card: -1
Red card for two yellows: -3
Straight red card: -4
Yellow card and straight red card: -5
Belgium came into today -3, England -2. Belgium has 2 yellow cards and England none. So current standings are:
England -2
Belgium -5
In the final minute of extra time, Gazza sent a chip into the corner of the box, and as the ball came over his shoulder, Platt (who had come on as a sub) made a perfect volley into the far corner of the net. And then the game was over.
It was the kind of shot every kid dreams of making.
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You nailed it. England avoids Brazil and gets a likely James Rodrigues-less Colombia instead.
That side of the bracket, btw, looks like pretty wide open except for Spain, who aren't playing great...
We are all in - we got the Cavani sticker and my old #7 Napoli shirt.
If they play well against Russia though I won't be able to keep the optimism from seeping in.
lol I actually like him and want Spain to do well, primarily because of Iniesta, such a consummate deep playmaker who has somewhat re-made himself into a playmaker in the PA, he alone would justify an emotional wish to crown Spain a champion, but then there's Ramos
v
Argentina 10:00 AM FOX
Uruguay
v
Portugal 2:00 PM FOX
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Spain should also make it but Croatia is no joke and that's a potential matchup where Modric, Perisic, Rakitic and Kovacic could overwhelm Spain in the midfield and KO them
Haha - wtf was that guy thinking?
Note the Valderama sighting at the very end - in his prime he was a favorite player of mine.
If they play well against Russia though I won't be able to keep the optimism from seeping in.
Spain should handle Russia no matter where they play. It's a possible Croatia matchup in the quarters that is awful for the Spanish...their midfield is aging and Croatia's is in its prime
Let's beat Russia first though.
Spain should also make it but Croatia is no joke and that's a potential matchup where Modric, Perisic, Rakitic and Kovacic could overwhelm Spain in the midfield and KO them
I wouldn't be surprised to see the opposite to see Colombia in the semis. It will be an away game for England, and there's still enough talent on Colombia that they could pull it off.
Chelsea in talks to bring Golovin over. And, of course, the big move of Wayne Rooney to MLS!
Go Terps : 6/28/2018 11:03 pm : link : reply
If you're the guy guarding the post, you're going to spend the rest of your life remembering the time you looked like you were leaning against a pole at a bus stop while the goal that put your country out of the World Cup was scored in front of you.
Guy was literally leaning on the post with his elbow bent at his waist and then just watches the header go past him!!
It will be an internet meme!
Man that France/Portugal/Uruguay/Argentina quadrant is hard to pick.