OT: World Cup 2018

[UConnSwag11]

What a header. All they score on are crosses and headers

Minus what a header

 

[Jaker]

this is going to be a rout

 

[intlzncster]

Slim chance they can beat the winner of France Belgium, but I expect them to get there.

Croatia midfield will feast on England.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I think England is in Europe.

Not according to the Brits
They usually refer to Continentals only as Europeans. Use to drive me crazy.
We had a sister company in the Midlsnds UK and another near Frankfurt. The Brits referred to the German plant as European but themselves as Brits . The only time you would see a European favoritismc is when a European sides were playing a South America side apparently keeping the cup on that side of the Atlantic was important for most.

 

[HuskyHawk]

they play winner of Russia/ Croatia.

Croatia should make it to the final from this side of the bracket

Croatia midfield will feast on England.

We shall see. I think England will beat them in regular time.

 

[Jaker]

we need more swedish girls

 

[intlzncster]

You're not wrong, but why won't Belgium v France be just as good a game? I think Belgium will win it all, they're loaded. So is France, but I just give the nod to Belgium, they've played more consistently than France.

Both teams have two of the best keepers in the world so I can see one team outplaying the other, but one of the keepers making a couple incredible saves that win the game for them. I think it will be a fantastic game, but I got the Red Devils.

Personally, I think France is the more dynamic team. I think Belgium will struggle containing Mbappe. Belgiumu can also counter who ever they want with Kante--he's the closest to a lock down player I've seen in the World Cup.

Brazil is very deep, except in the defensive midfield/outside back positions. Without Casemiro (suspended), they had no one really to counter De Bruyne, who wouldn't you know scored that cracker.

I thought Brazil was the better side (beforehand and during the game), despite losing 2-1. The own goal was a bit of bad luck, and it looked like they would equalize in short order, but a bit of De Bruyne brilliance changed the narrative. Belgium played solid D, and countered effectively with Lukaku to keep Brazil honest.

To me, the difference in the game was Thibault. He was magnificent. He also might be the one thing that puts Belgium over the top vs France.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Zlatan would not help

Well, Ibrihamovic might have re-created past dissension current Swedish players expressed appreciation did not exist this World Cup. So, there's that ...

 

[UConnSwag11]

Don’t want England to win. Their league and NT reminds me of a better MLS and USMNT.

 

[Jay-Bone]

Damn, can't anyone stop Russia?

That was a nasty goal though.

 

[Jaker]

Mother Russia!!

 

[Jay-Bone]

You're not wrong, but why won't Belgium v France be just as good a game? I think Belgium will win it all, they're loaded. So is France, but I just give the nod to Belgium, they've played more consistently than France.

Both teams have two of the best keepers in the world so I can see one team outplaying the other, but one of the keepers making a couple incredible saves that win the game for them. I think it will be a fantastic game, but I got the Red Devils.

I've liked Belgium this tourney, but their performance against Japan did not put them in the upper echelon to me, except that final goal. I've liked Hazard being in there.

 

[Jay-Bone]

Thank you Croats. Less go!!

 

[Jaker]

How do 5 russian defenders not mark one lone striker making a run?

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Don’t want England to win. Their league and NT reminds me of a better MLS and USMNT.

(Some English) league and the English "... NT reminds me of a better MLS and USMNT" for $500 Alex ...

What are things that make one go hmmm?

 

[Jaker]

EPL>>>>>>MLS by large margin

 

[BugsyCT]

I think Belgium's the best team left, but France and England seem to have something special going, so wouldn't be surprised if they met in the final.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

I've liked Belgium this tourney, but their performance against Japan did not put them in the upper echelon to me, except that final goal.

Are you suggesting Japan was not as good as they displayed, Brazil wasn't as good as projected, the Red Tigers' other 2 goals vs Japan were not earned, all of the preceding?

My take, every remaining nation has flaws, e.g., Belgium's tendency to flick their D on off, France's inconsistency, etc. While France and Belgium still appear to be better than England, Croatia & the russkies, perhaps this particular Coupe du Monde may not have one truly 0r exceedingly superior team. For example, russia even participating in this particular game let alone tied at (edit >) the end of full time & on to extra time ...

 

[intlzncster]

Wow. Russian sigh of relief

 

[Jaker]

as close as you can get without scoring, hard to believe that ball did not go in.

 

[BugsyCT]

Russia's luck can only last so long.

Can't it?

 

[Jaker]

Russia content to force PK's?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Russia content to force PK's?

Goaltending is pretty strong for them

 

[intlzncster]

Oh man. This could be tournament ending for croatia.

 

[Jaker]

wow, really?? the stars are aligned for mother Russia