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2018 FIFA World Cup Thread [W:87]

Desert Storm said:
National pride?? Anger?? Frustration of not winning a game or even scoring a goal yet??

Strange things can happen when a team feels they have nothing left to lose
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Sure but it rarely happens that way.

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Admittedly Iran didn't exactly take the game to Spain, but they had a couple of opportunities to score and didn't take them. Spain were quite poor. It's difficult to break down a 10-man defence but Spain were quite sloppy in midfield; I've haven't seen a Spanish team passing so badly for a long time.

I thought after the first round of games that Iran was very lucky to get the win against Morocco, but today I think they were slightly unfortunate not to get a draw. If they play like this against Portugal things could get interesting. It would be good to see Spain and Iran go through. I wouldn't put money on it, but it could happen, especially if CR has an off day, as he sometimes does.
 
Desert Storm said:
Thats what I think too. Iran might just pull it off
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I hope so. It would be a great favour to all fans of positive, flowing football. I'm just not going to bet my shirt on it. A moment of brilliance from you-know-who could scupper that. Iran do not have a significant game-winner, Portugal do.
 
Desert Storm said:
Topscorer at the world cup so far is a player named #OwnGoal.

Country unknown
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Not sure of his nationality either, but I'd guess English. Or maybe that was his opposite number on the women's team, Miss Penalty.
 
Some tasty games today. Argentina vs Croatia is massive and i wouldn’t be shocked to see Croatia break the Argies hearts.
 
Higgins86 said:
Some tasty games today. Argentina vs Croatia is massive and i wouldn’t be shocked to see Croatia break the Argies hearts.
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That seems to be a quite popular view amongst the pundits. Could happen, but I can't see Argentina playing so poorly in this second game. Croatia are a very talented team and they won't park the bus as Iceland did. I expect a more open game and I suspect that will favour Argentina more than Croatia going forward but the Croats should and probably will exploit a poor Argentine defence. I can see a draw with a good few goals. I'll go 2-2.
 
Woah! Amazing goal from Eriksen. Goal of the Competition so far. Australia not looking bad, but definitely second best to the Danes in the first 25 minutes.
 
Penalty to Australia via VAR. Seems harsh. Hope Schmeichel saves it... he doesn't. 1-1.

Unintentional handball. I get that his arm was high, but he appeared to be trying to pull it away from the ball. Seems really harsh. Still, Australia were pressing hard and although Denmark look more dangerous in attack, Australia are applying more pressure. Good game so far. I'm really enjoying it while I ought to be decorating the spare room.
 
Andalublue said:
Penalty to Australia via VAR. Seems harsh. Hope Schmeichel saves it... he doesn't. 1-1.

Unintentional handball. I get that his arm was high, but he appeared to be trying to pull it away from the ball. Seems really harsh. Still, Australia were pressing hard and although Denmark look more dangerous in attack, Australia are applying more pressure. Good game so far. I'm really enjoying it while I ought to be decorating the spare room.
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Was harsh but... if the replays are correct the handball actually gets in the way of a clear goal scoring chance.. aka the header was heading towards goal. That is why there was a penalty, and a yellow card.
 
Really enjoyable game. Both teams are playing open attacking football, no negativity and plenty of penalty box action. Australia have definitely made the better start to the second half, but Denmark are sticking in there and look dangerous when they approach. Could go either way.
 
Yeah that penalty call was... interesting.

The flick of the hand was interesting and maybe was set off the Refs but I’d call that a clear cut ball to hand.
 
Can someone tell Christian Eriksen that just because he scored the best goal of the tournament that doesn't give him permission to take the rest of the game off.

If there's going to be a winner now, it's going to be Australia.
 
Good game. Deserved draw. Now let's hope Peru can do a job on the French.
 
Andalublue said:
Can someone tell Christian Eriksen that just because he scored the best goal of the tournament that doesn't give him permission to take the rest of the game off.

If there's going to be a winner now, it's going to be Australia.
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No ****. Only one doing anything was Sisto and that made him look bad... I suspect the heat might have been a problem as all players looked flat as hell 10 min before the end.

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Desert Storm said:
Spain is doing enough to just get by, which IMO makes them dangerous
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Spain will always be dangerous given the depth of squad they have. That said they do not have great depth in attack. Costa was poor yesterday and in Aspas and Rodrigo you have two quite average talents. Look back at 2010 and you had Pedro, Torres and Villa - different class. I really fear that when they finally face a team with ambition, talent and commitment to attack them they could come unstuck. I don't know anyone here who was encouraged in their optimism by last night's performance.
 
PeteEU said:
I suspect the heat might have been a problem as all players looked flat as hell 10 min before the end.
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Well TBH they seemed to run out of stamina in the Peru game too. Fitness levels not up to scratch? Are the training sessions too hard? Is the age profile of the team a bit too old? I noticed that only 3 of today's players were under 26. Must be an explanation somewhere.
 
Anyone else see tonight's amazing game between Argentina and Croatia?

Felt sad for Messi but when some of those feet first tackles began to go in, I was happy to see Argentina lose by 3. If only they could lose with grace and proper sportsmanship.
 
Infinite Chaos said:
Anyone else see tonight's amazing game between Argentina and Croatia?

Felt sad for Messi but when some of those feet first tackles began to go in, I was happy to see Argentina lose by 3. If only they could lose with grace and proper sportsmanship.
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The last goal by Croatia at the 90 minute mark was unbelievable. It was as if Argentina players were on a lunch break.

I know there are many ardent Argentina fans who felt kicked in the gut but seeing the pure elation of the Croatia players was pretty special.
 
That was such a s****y performance from Argentina that I felt sorry for Messi and Agüero who I think are the only 2 world class players in that team. Why, when you've just gone a goal behind do you take off the only player who has scored for you thus far in the tournament and keep on the utter mediocrity of the worst midfield I've seen in this WC. That's the worst performance by one of the world's big footballing nations since SF 2014 Germany 7-1 Brazil. Perhaps it wasn't even that good. Sampaoli is clearly clueless and the managerial merry-go-round at the Argentine FA appears to be almost deliberately designed to sabotage the national team's chances.

Caballero made a horrible mistake, Mascherano made a couple too, but it really isn't all down to the players. I hope that the Argentine media apportions blame where it's really due, which is way up the line of command from the squad.
 
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