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The FIFA 2018 World Cup Thread (pg. 21)
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| sensorium |
Mbappé reaching Usain Bolt speeds in the PK. :wtf:
Best team advanced. Such a shame this was the end, in a way, for Messi in WCs. |
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| Lira |
I have some time to waste, so here it goes:
Lira's guide to the quarterfinals
1) France 1 x 2 Uruguay
Our neighbours to the south have been brave but, if there's any room for an upset, it would be a French victory. Yes, Uruguay are the real favourites here, rankings notwithstanding, and it was clearly illustrated today: Uruguay have conceded in the tournament about as many goals as France conceded in the first 45 minutes today to a limping Argentina.
France have a talented squad, but Uruguay are a solid unit.
2) Belgium 2 x 2 Brazil (4-5 on penalty shootouts)
We used to live in simple times, when we didn't know the Gallagher brothers were actually singing about Ochoa, the one true Wonderwall. But, unless he scores a goal himself, Mexico are probably joining Germany for some uncomfortable airport lounge chat , where they can recover from a Flu outbreak among El Tri players. Belgium are great, and the sole reason I can't say they will easily beat the last remaining semifinalist from the previous tournament is because it's up to Lukaku. He's not 100%. He had mercy on us all.
If it's all down to a penalty shootout, and I ain't going to predict a Brazilian victory in such a random event, but I believe that we will win.
3) Spain Russia 3 x 2 Croatia
The best squads in this branch of the tournament finally go head on against one another. Unless Putin gets involved, this will be pure slaughter. If Russia somehow reach the quarterfinals, they'll win the tournament with talent, strength, and polonium tea. But, yeah, Spain Russia are favourites here. So long, water tanks :(
4) Sweden 0 x 1 England
It's coming home! Oh, and gladly for DJ Rann, Sweden should be able to beat a rather strong Switzerland, in what was the hardest game for commentators everywhere trying not to say "Swederland" and "Switzen" every 5 seconds. But, the fact is, Sweden thrashed the team that beat Germany, but I don't see them going that far without Kane or Marcus Rashford. So, in short, Xhaka can't, Sweden is Zlatanless, and FIFA is feeding them to the lions.
| quote: | Originally posted by Jon_Snow
Checkers is a beautiful game too.  |
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| SYSTEM-J |
| quote: | Originally posted by SPANIARD
It's a fair point to say that they lose a lot with Cavani. I'm not aware of his status but yes, if he's out it's a major blow. However I can assure you that Stuani was a top 5 scorer in La Liga last season at Girona. He is basically another Iago Aspas in that he failed miserably in England but more than regained his reputation in Spain. I would not equate the Stuani at Middlesbrough to the one at Girona for a second. Not to say that he's Cavani but he has come off a fantastic season which should be noted. |
Perhaps, but he looked much like the Stuani I remember when he came on last night. Uruguay were deserved winners overall, but they invited a lot of needless pressure on themselves in the last 15 minutes because they didn't keep the ball well and Stuani did not hold it up at all well upfront. Better teams than Portugal will exploit that, and Uruguay probably have the toughest path to victory, looking at the draw.
I agree they have a wonderful system to maximise their strengths (chiefly: great strikers, great centre backs) but they don't look noticeably different to the Uruguay I've watched for the last 8 years at various tournaments, except that the key players are all a bit older. |
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| Jon_Snow |
Good news Russia just scored
Bad news they put it in the wrong goal |
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| planetaryplayer |
| In russia it doesn't matter where you score |
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| Lira |
Spain have had 75% of possession so far, and they're tying with Russia, and Russia scored all goals? Either I praised Spain too soon, or the polonium tea is working - just don't let Mexico get any funny ideas :p
Вперёд, Россия!  |
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| SYSTEM-J |
| Spain are being self-parodic in this game. Enormous amounts of possession, but no interest in being direct with it. |
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| Jon_Snow |
| quote: | Originally posted by planetaryplayer
In russia it doesn't matter where you score |
:stongue:
I just watched Spain pass the ball for 90 minutes :whip: |
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| Jon_Snow |
vodka anyone?
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| SYSTEM-J |
Well, well. This side of the draw just got even more open. There's going to be an underdog in the final now, for sure.
Spain have never turned it on in this tournament. Amazing squad but they've only won a single game 1-0. I wonder how much sacking their manager has contributed to their flatness. |
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| Trance-M |
I wished for some surprises this WC, got plenty.
This must be fantastic for the Russian people. |
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