2018 FIFA World Cup Thread [W:87]

[PeteEU]

Honestly surprised by how badly Iceland lost. I was really rooting for them.

Iceland is a counter attack team... with no real plan B. They will always have a hard time in a game where they have to even remotely try to dominate.

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[ElChupacabra]

Great performance from Nigeria. They look like a different team from the one that lost to Croatia. Iceland looked tired and all out of ideas.

This will make Tuesday's match against Argentina interesting. Nigeria woke up after their loss, Argentina however look clueless and if Nigeria is going to apply pressure (which I'm sure they will) we may be seeing them out in the first round. Argentina has the talent to pull the win, but you wouldn't think it based on their two performances thus far.

 

[Infinite Chaos]

~ I see ~

You see what you want to see. In my video, the overhead shot at the start is really clear - from one second on as Kane is trying to back away for a header and escape his marker the Tunisian already has his arm around him, is not watching the ball and is turned TO Kane. 1 second later he's in classic position for a body height rugby tackle and it continues.

Doesn't matter what I type though, you are convinced that Kane isn't trying to get away for a header, he's more concerned with getting an arm around the Tunisian. Despite what your eyes honestly tell you.

Anyway, all done. I am whitewashing my garden walls this summer, I'll give you a call for some painting tips.

 

[Aristaeus]

Iceland is a counter attack team... with no real plan B. They will always have a hard time in a game where they have to even remotely try to dominate.

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Do you still think Lukaku is more hype than reality?

 

[Jredbaron96]

Belgium looking very good. Easily one of the better teams at this tournament.

 

[Andalublue]

I thought theirs was the best performance of the first round of games. They've now put in the best performance of the 2nd round. It's very early days yet, but I can't see them needing to fear anyone, Brazil, France and Germany included. They are the best team in Russia at the moment. Lukaku, Hazard, De Bruyne, Mertens, Witsel and even Batshuayi all looked capable of scoring.

The defence is the weak spot and their defending at set pieces needs work and I can see England and other future opponents concentrating on working corners and free kicks out of the Belgians, but when you can score as freely as they are doing you don't have to worry as much about conceding the odd goal. That's got to give you confidence.

Looking forward to a Brazil-Belgium final.

 

[PeteEU]

Do you still think Lukaku is more hype than reality?

Yes and no. Let's see him against quality opposition. It is there Belgium has failed the last few tournaments.

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[Andalublue]

Mexico are playing up a storm now too. Lovely second from Chicharito. The Koreans are looking very forlorn. I'm seriously wondering whether a new name is going to be etched onto the trophy this year. The three top sides so far are Russia, Belgium and Mexico.

 

[Andalublue]

Yes and no. Let's see him against quality opposition. It is there Belgium has failed the last few tournaments.

You can say that about virtually every team except Portugal, Germany and Chile. When Denmark won the Euros in 1992 they hadn't even qualified for the preceding WC and hadn't qualified for that tournament either, so prior form isn't by any means a deciding factor.

 

[PeteEU]

You can say that about virtually every team except Portugal, Germany and Chile. When Denmark won the Euros in 1992 they hadn't even qualified for the preceding WC and hadn't qualified for that tournament either, so prior form isn't by any means a deciding factor.

No, not when you are talking about a talented team. Spain for decades had some of the best players in the world, but as you know.. failed all the time in big tournaments. Belgium has had a golden generation for almost a decade now and have yet to do anything about it.

And Lukaku is injured and wont be playing against England.. so guess that is a positive for England

 

[Jredbaron96]

Oh Germany. Why must you break my heart.

 

[Higgins86]

Cant blame the Russian winter this time

 

[Jredbaron96]

Cant blame the Russian winter this time

This is pretty depressing to watch. Germany has no flair: their attacks are uninspired and flat. They have no real downfield threat, so they just pass and pass until they get overextended, mess up a pass and then they fall victim to the counterattack.

 

[Higgins86]

This is pretty depressing to watch. Germany has no flair: their attacks are uninspired and flat. They have no real downfield threat, so they just pass and pass until they get overextended, mess up a pass and then they fall victim to the counterattack.

As an England fan this is better than when my wife gives me a striptease

 

[Jredbaron96]

As an England fan this is better than when my wife gives me a striptease

I ****ing hate you.

 

[Higgins86]

Draw really isn’t ideal for Germany either. Got to go all out

 

[Rexedgar]

Don’t sleep on Croatia!

 

[Jredbaron96]

Germany equalized! They really need to win though!

 

[Higgins86]

Germany equalized! They really need to win though!

Looking a lot better. That save from Neur at the end of the 1st was massive

 

[Jredbaron96]

Looking a lot better. That save from Neur at the end of the 1st was massive

This German squad has some big holes at offense but their current configuration is best. Gomez is a poor man's Klose but by playing in the center he allows Reus to operate better. They should've been using this form from Game 1.

 

[Andalublue]

No, not when you are talking about a talented team. Spain for decades had some of the best players in the world, but as you know.. failed all the time in big tournaments.

And then eventually won 3 tournaments in a row.

Belgium has had a golden generation for almost a decade now and have yet to do anything about it.

So, this could be their moment.

And Lukaku is injured and wont be playing against England.. so guess that is a positive for England

If England beat Panama tomorrow then they both qualify and the Kaliningrad game is virtually a friendly. If I were Martínez I'd rest Hazard and Lukaku too.

 

[Andalublue]

Looking a lot better. That save from Neur at the end of the 1st was massive

They are looking better, but still not all that against what I think is a very mediocre Swedish side. Germany really should go on to win this game. A draw means that Sweden and Mexico can just play out a draw and they're out.

 

[PeteEU]

And then eventually won 3 tournaments in a row.

Yes it took them what... 40 years of great players?

So, this could be their moment.

It could, but it could also not be.

If England beat Panama tomorrow then they both qualify and the Kaliningrad game is virtually a friendly. If I were Martínez I'd rest Hazard and Lukaku too.

They would have been rested no matter what. 6 points is qualification, and frankly I could see Belgium trying to lose to England if England beat Panama tomorrow.. why? Looks like winning the group means a top nation in the second round..

 

[Jetboogieman]

So, this could be their moment.

They’re the only major team that’s performed well against teams they should have performed well against.

I wouldn’t say it’s impossible yeah.

 

[Jredbaron96]

Germany down to 10 men but really can't settle for a draw.