The Official 2018 World Cup Thread...
- Thread starter LesClaypool
- Start date
Iceland could back door the next round if they can win and Argentina wins but only but by the same number of goals or less than Iceland. Iceland's goal differential is better than Argentina's. Argentina is going to have its hands full with Nigeria's counter attack.
I meant with a different regime now. But I guess it took brutal dictators to hold all the different ethnic groups together. Just a silly pipe dream anyway.
I will say that watching the background in Russia makes me want to visit the motherland. My great grandfather was an officer in the Tsar army and stage actor he and his wife escaped during the revolution. They lived in the russian ghetto in Los Angles - doubt that there is much history i can trace in russia, but the visuals of the red square and other places have been incredible.
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Yeah, that's kinda what I meant. If Croatia mails it in - or even intentionally lays down & lets Iceland win - Argentina would not only have to win, but have to win with a bigger margin than Iceland wins by. What's the tiebreaker after goal diff?
First one is total goals scored by the tied teams ....and if that's equal....get this, fair play comes in as the tiebreaker. He who plays nicest (fewest red, yellows, fouls) advances...Can you even imagine going home based on that tie breaker???
Given the turmoil Argentina is in (and the rumors of a players' revolt against the coach), I can't see them holding off Nigeria. Croatia has already come out and said they're playing mostly subs next game, so Iceland does have a chance.
I also think Serbia can beat this iteration of Brazil. And the Swiss will have their way with Costa Rica. We could see some crazy ish in the 3rd games next week.
I also think Serbia can beat this iteration of Brazil. And the Swiss will have their way with Costa Rica. We could see some crazy ish in the 3rd games next week.
This is my biggest problem with soccer. Too many ties. Let them play OT as long as they need to for somebody to win outright.
Overtime during the regular season is highly overrated. Ties can be just as thrilling as wins if you are the underdog or have a big comeback and can hurt just as bad as loss if you are the favorite or let the other team come back. The Choke at Doak was one of the most memorable games in FSU history even though it ended in a tie. And I sure wish Bobby had gone for the tie in 1987 against Miami.
I'm sure Tom Osborne & Nebraska wish they'd gone for the tie against Miami, as well, in the '84 Orange Bowl. The Canes are very fortunate to have two of their national titles because of opponents not settling for ties.
I'm of the "make them play until somebody wins" mentality, but the honest truth is that player fitness is finely tuned for 90 minutes and the play gets slow and boring in the overtime periods. Also OT would be a terrible fit for group play; it would put the teams at a huge disadvantage for their next games.
For anyone that lives in Tallahassee, if you want to get together to watch any matches this weekend, this is the message I just posted in our Tallahassee Gooners FB group (all are welcome though. Arsenal fandom not required!)
World Cup watching this weekend...
TODAY (Sat, June 23) we will be @ 7th Hill Taproom for the 11am Korea/Mexico and 2pm Germany/Sweden matches.
TOMORROW (Sun, Jun 24) we will start the day @ Township Tallahassee at 8am sharp for England/Panama match...We will then move to 7th Hill for the 11am Japan/Senegal match culminating w/the 2pm Poland/Colombia match.
World Cup watching this weekend...
TODAY (Sat, June 23) we will be @ 7th Hill Taproom for the 11am Korea/Mexico and 2pm Germany/Sweden matches.
TOMORROW (Sun, Jun 24) we will start the day @ Township Tallahassee at 8am sharp for England/Panama match...We will then move to 7th Hill for the 11am Japan/Senegal match culminating w/the 2pm Poland/Colombia match.
Aaaaaaand now it’s 2-0, as Lukaku bags his 3rd goal in 2 matches.
Ronny on 4, Diego Costa and Lukaku on 3, Coutinho on 2 for those scoring at home.
...and as I’m typing, Tunisia pulls one back. 2-1 Belgium in the 18’. Good match here!
Ronny on 4, Diego Costa and Lukaku on 3, Coutinho on 2 for those scoring at home.
...and as I’m typing, Tunisia pulls one back. 2-1 Belgium in the 18’. Good match here!
Lukaku again, right at the half. 3-1 Belgium.
Tied for the Golden Boot w/Ronaldo now.
I was just getting ready to type how much skill KDB and Hazard both have too. Belgium could be a real problem for anyone they run into in the knockout round.
Tied for the Golden Boot w/Ronaldo now.
I was just getting ready to type how much skill KDB and Hazard both have too. Belgium could be a real problem for anyone they run into in the knockout round.
A buddy at work headed over to Germany this week and will be in a frenzy for this match. His mom is a native and the will be partying with her tribe.
Me, I’m pulling for the norsemen.
Unlistenable announcers doing the Mexico match. I’m at our pub watching the match and just asked them to put music on in the background until Germany kicks off at 2:00. These two are the worst!
Apparently he’s a Barca transfer rumor now. I hadn’t heard about him much before this World Cup. Dude must be legit.
That's what his dad said. There was rumor that Pachuca was going to transfer him to Man U, but i hate to see mexican players go to England- it is generally not a good fit for them.
Mexico is playing well and was in a tough group. Belgium looks good, but I'll reserve judgment until they play a better opponent than Panama and Tunisia.
