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.
(Some English) league and the English "... NT reminds me of a better MLS and USMNT" for $500 Alex ...Don’t want England to win. Their league and NT reminds me of a better MLS and USMNT.

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?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.
Russia content to force PK's?
And, England? No possible Croatian substitutes until full timewow, really?? the stars are aligned for mother Russia
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 the half.
Yup, agreed Japan was impressive and Belgium good enough to beat a pretty good team. End of the day ...No, I thought Japan outplayed Belgium.
Well, other than bribing FIFA officials to get the world cup and pee poor bracket ...
Aside from Uruguay, surely you jest. It's FIFA; not an entity with an iota of credibility. Like the russkies didn't buy bracketing with Egypt & Saudi Arabia or their quality equivalents, pfft. And, everyone with any sense sincerely wanted a northern hemisphere winter world cup in Qatar!Not sure how much they can control the bracket, but their group play was like the kiddie pool (except for Uruguay).

Aside from Uruguay, surely you jest. It's FIFA; not an entity with an iota of credibility. Like the russkies didn't buy bracketing with Egypt & Saudi Arabia or their quality equivalents, pfft. And, everyone with any sense sincerely wanted a northern hemisphere winter world cup in Qatar!![]()
Easier group brackets potentially enabling knockout round play, yes. Knockout brackets set up in advance, yes.Huh? I'm not disagreeing with that part at all. But there's group play and there's knockout round bracket seedings - aren't the bracket seedings set beforehand?