Thoughts on Ronaldo aside, as he is a polarizing player, Portugal just seems loaded (I mean absolutely stacked) with talent. I guess the question is whether it’s just a collection of stars/talent or can they play together as a team?
Portugal is stacked and deep, but some say that CR7 and Bruno Fernandes are defensive liabilities, and coach Santos hasn’t kept up with modern tactics and formations, although he did lead them to win the Euro in 2016.
Their second half game plan and substitutes ran the German defense into the ground.
IMV, Asano’s game winner was awesome and Neuer had no chance. That’s a goal 9 out of 10 times
That was tenacity fighting thru the defender and placing an accurate ball just under the bar with such a narrow view of the goal.
Should be a fun match
Hard to say how good Spain is versus a team like Costs Rica
We will know more about Spain next match
Having said that Spain is stacked with quality and depth
Their second team could probably qualify for the WC on their own merits
I have a new fav player in Gavi. OMG is he talented
It was exposed in a couple of games 2018, Portugal? Löw knew it was time yet even he stayed a cycle too long.
Belgium v CAN should be interesting from tactical perspective, skill v physicality, aging v youth. Belgium probably has too much experience. I wouldn't put too much credence in the exhibition with Egypt: is it known how many of the first 11 played substantial minutes?
is trying to run Belgium off the field. It's creating some counterattacking opportunities for Belgium, but I love the aggressive strategy to take it right to them.
Based on that half of football? Biggest fraud team around with their #2 FIFA ranking.
You could put any of the top 8 teams, maybe 10, in almost any position in the rankings. Perhaps Brazil is a solid #1, but Argentina is #3 - based on having Messi?
played a very high line in the first half, pushing players forward to try and dominate the ball and wear out Belgium. It left them a little exposed at the back. That plus a nice play over the top by Belgium and a terrific finish produced the goal.
Canada is faster and stronger than Belgium, but they aren't converting the chances their speed and strength are creating.
has used a very good gameplan, but their thought was that this strategy would have caused several errors and led to a goal by now. Belgium has withstood the pressure because they have several players who have patience and are good on the ball and Canada will likely be gassed by the 75th minute.
You see it often when high pressure is applied for this duration.
If you're going to go balls out like Canada did in the first half you need to get something for all that effort. That missed penalty is brutal. But they do get five substitutions, and this being the first game they are likely at their healthiest and fittest right now. Belgium is also an older team.
FIFA rankings are always over the place, but not sure questioning Canada at 41 based on a close loss is really all that legit. They have two world class players and they played scrappy, but Saudi Arabia is the 51st ranked team and they actually won their match.
At the end of the day, Canada's chances to advance out of their group aren't good right now - they will need a win at minimum to advance. FIFA's rankings are all over the place based on the criteria they use but teams like Canada often struggle to rise until they actually put together some decent wins - especially on the world stage.
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In comment 15918753 NJBlueTuna said:
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Thoughts on Ronaldo aside, as he is a polarizing player, Portugal just seems loaded (I mean absolutely stacked) with talent. I guess the question is whether it’s just a collection of stars/talent or can they play together as a team?
Portugal is stacked and deep, but some say that CR7 and Bruno Fernandes are defensive liabilities, and coach Santos hasn’t kept up with modern tactics and formations, although he did lead them to win the Euro in 2016.
Expect Leao to explode.
he’ll be a big factor tomorrow
IMV, Asano’s game winner was awesome and Neuer had no chance. That’s a goal 9 out of 10 times
That was tenacity fighting thru the defender and placing an accurate ball just under the bar with such a narrow view of the goal.
good call!
Nope. If you can understand Spanish, try to sync that audio from Chiringuito Inside on YouTube with the game. It’s a spectacle.
maybe show up? LOL
3-0 Spain
Hard to say how good Spain is versus a team like Costs Rica
We will know more about Spain next match
Having said that Spain is stacked with quality and depth
Their second team could probably qualify for the WC on their own merits
I have a new fav player in Gavi. OMG is he talented
Yup.
Belgium v CAN should be interesting from tactical perspective, skill v physicality, aging v youth. Belgium probably has too much experience. I wouldn't put too much credence in the exhibition with Egypt: is it known how many of the first 11 played substantial minutes?
Agree, Spain looked very, very good.
Ehh, save!
Yes Canada is forechecking well
It keeps Hazard and DeBruyner from making plays on the ball
So far they are withstanding the relentless pressure and have had a couple counters.
I guess stupidity on game threads is International.
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is an embarrassment.
I guess stupidity on game threads is International.
Ha...
Substitutions will be the key for Belgium as older players start to get tired
You could put any of the top 8 teams, maybe 10, in almost any position in the rankings. Perhaps Brazil is a solid #1, but Argentina is #3 - based on having Messi?
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is an embarrassment.
I guess stupidity on game threads is International.
On this and many other boards... LOL FMIC
Opening encounters in World Cups are often misleading.
Mind you, so are FIFA rankings.
Canada is faster and stronger than Belgium, but they aren't converting the chances their speed and strength are creating.
You see it often when high pressure is applied for this duration.
FIFA rankings are always over the place, but not sure questioning Canada at 41 based on a close loss is really all that legit. They have two world class players and they played scrappy, but Saudi Arabia is the 51st ranked team and they actually won their match.
At the end of the day, Canada's chances to advance out of their group aren't good right now - they will need a win at minimum to advance. FIFA's rankings are all over the place based on the criteria they use but teams like Canada often struggle to rise until they actually put together some decent wins - especially on the world stage.