The Official 2018 World Cup Thread...

[DDennis73]

I think it is a bit unfair some of the criticism of Spain. Russia were clearly playing to hold off them off. When a team does that even the best teams have a hard time breaking them down. This is both a beauty and blemish for soccer depending on your view.

I think most Americans have a hard time with the notion that a team can play for a draw and that the "superior" team cannot just force their way to a win. In American football you can literally just use brute force to run your opponent over and score. Navy/Army and GT are probably the closest thing to this soccer mentality of playing defense that I can think of. They reduce the number of possessions thus giving them a better chance.

This happens all the time in the EPL and CL where your Man Utd, Arsenal, even Barca or Bayern run up against a squad that just want that draw. Some days you just cant seem to finish them off.

As for who shows up from England's side of the draw in the final I think that it really doesnt matter in the sense that this is the World Cup. People will watch to see who wins. Croatia I think might be the best team on that side. I think that what makes it more exciting is when you have different confederations. I dont believe any team has even played in the finals other than European and S. American. Mexico, Brazil or Uruguay would make for more compelling TV with Brazil pulling in even the casual American fan.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Watching at work.... I'm still pulling for Brazil but if it was anyone else in CONCACF (besides Mexico) I'd be rooting for them. This is the equivalent of a UF vs UGA game for me... I won't be happy either way.

 

[DDennis73]

I believe that Africa is out and did not have any teams in the R16. Asia is left with Japan v. Belgium. Concacaf left with Mexico.

South America doing well with Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia left.

UEFA having a good tourney. At least half of the QF will be from Europe and as many as 6 of 8 if Bel and England win. UEFA sends the most teams but they do wind up many groups having multiple UEFA teams in them.

 

[noleit]

Neymar scores, Brazil up 1-0. Early 2nd half

 

[SeaPA]

I think it is a bit unfair some of the criticism of Spain. Russia were clearly playing to hold off them off. When a team does that even the best teams have a hard time breaking them down. This is both a beauty and blemish for soccer depending on your view.

I think most Americans have a hard time with the notion that a team can play for a draw and that the "superior" team cannot just force their way to a win. In American football you can literally just use brute force to run your opponent over and score. Navy/Army and GT are probably the closest thing to this soccer mentality of playing defense that I can think of. They reduce the number of possessions thus giving them a better chance.

This happens all the time in the EPL and CL where your Man Utd, Arsenal, even Barca or Bayern run up against a squad that just want that draw. Some days you just cant seem to finish them off.

As for who shows up from England's side of the draw in the final I think that it really doesnt matter in the sense that this is the World Cup. People will watch to see who wins. Croatia I think might be the best team on that side. I think that what makes it more exciting is when you have different confederations. I dont believe any team has even played in the finals other than European and S. American. Mexico, Brazil or Uruguay would make for more compelling TV with Brazil pulling in even the casual American fan.

I get that it is very difficult to crack through when the opponent goes into a defensive shell, but I still believe that at some point you have to get more aggressive and attempt some attacking passes instead of spending the day between the top of the defensive box and two steps across the midfield line. They actually generated some decent chances when they pressed forward a bit late in regulation.

 

[LesClaypool]

Too much quality in that Brazil side.

2-0

 

[noleit]

Too much quality in that Brazil side.

2-0

Brazil could win it all if they continue to play like that.

 

[noleclone2]

Hate these 10AM and 2PM starts. Don’t they know I like to eat lunch at 1130-1200? Rude of them.

 

[DDennis73]

In a sense what happened to Mexico is why you see most sides play defensively against much better teams. I do think that Mexico had some good chances against Brazil. I think a team like Belgium who have better quality than Mexico could give them a good run. I think England have a lot of pace but I think they lack quality defense and would not be able to match Brazil's scoring.

 

[noleit]

Every time Stu Holden announces a game I think it's Mary Carillo talking.

 

[LesClaypool]

In a sense what happened to Mexico is why you see most sides play defensively against much better teams.

Exactly.

No one likes to see a team park the bus, but if you don't, and you don't have comparable quality, you get smoked.

 

[Bobcat07]

Adios Mexico!

 

[GoNolesTX]

Adios Mexico!

Quinto Pardido lives!

Read the Newsweek article on the curse... holy crap they have run in to some tough competition in the Round of 16 save for 1994 and Bulgaria and the US in 2002.

 

[SeaPA]

Exactly.

No one likes to see a team park the bus, but if you don't, and you don't have comparable quality, you get smoked.

I certainly understand why you take the air out of the ball if you're overmatched; taking the air out of it when you are the better team is a different story.

 

[GoNolesTX]

Japan is walking a tight rope here. Belgium will likely score a goal or two from the counter attack, let alone the set piece opportunities they'll be afforded by Japanese defenders trying to slow down the Belgium runs. Mertens may have a stellar 2nd half if they keep tripling/closing down on Lukaku in the box.

 

[DDennis73]

SeaPa,
I think its more difficult to create these chances than people realize, especially when playing against a team that is determined to deny you those chances. The Swiss did that to the same Brazilian team that I believe could have had 3 or 4 goals today but for a really outstanding performance by the Mexican keeper.

Spain had 25 hots 9 of which were on target. Brazil only had 21 shots with 10 on target vs Mexico today though with much less possession. But looking at their match with Costa Rica they had 23/9. Sometimes you just run into a good keeper and well organized team.

And it takes luck to win the WC. That German size that hammered Brazil 7-1 last year needed extra time to beat Algeria in the R16.

That is the thing is kinda rough about soccer. You can really play a great game and have a good tournament and still get knocked out early. Very hard to win it all without needing extra time or penalties.

 

[NoleLizards]

SeaPa,
I think its more difficult to create these chances than people realize, especially when playing against a team that is determined to deny you those chances. The Swiss did that to the same Brazilian team that I believe could have had 3 or 4 goals today but for a really outstanding performance by the Mexican keeper.

Spain had 25 hots 9 of which were on target. Brazil only had 21 shots with 10 on target vs Mexico today though with much less possession. But looking at their match with Costa Rica they had 23/9. Sometimes you just run into a good keeper and well organized team.

And it takes luck to win the WC. That German size that hammered Brazil 7-1 last year needed extra time to beat Algeria in the R16.

That is the thing is kinda rough about soccer. You can really play a great game and have a good tournament and still get knocked out early. Very hard to win it all without needing extra time or penalties.

Belgium's employing some old-time Low Country-style "total football" by bringing Kompany up to attack.

 

[DDennis73]

That Dutch mentality is really fun to watch when the team talents match that scheme.

 

[noleit]

Wow, Japan scores!!! Up 1-0 early 2nd half.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Wow Japan just made it interesting.

 

[noleit]

Holy crap Japan scores again 2-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Belgium getting stunned!

That was some nice footwork

 

[LesClaypool]

2nd goal by Japan was a thing of beauty.

 

[GoNolesTX]

Oh man. Belgium may just be toast. Giving up 2 goals to an "inferior" team 7 minutes in to the 2nd half and they look entirely lost. Not looking good for yet another of my favored teams. I need to stop cheering for folks I guess.

 

[NoleLizards]

Holy crap Japan scores again 2-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone needs to remind Belgium that this is the Men's World Cup!

 

[NoleLizards]

Oh man. Belgium may just be toast. Giving up 2 goals to an "inferior" team 7 minutes in to the 2nd half and they look entirely lost. Not looking good for yet another of my favored teams. I need to stop cheering for folks I guess.

Maybe they should have rested their own starters in the final group match.

 

[cfbfan23]

It wouldn't be the first time they've lost to an Axis power.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Maybe they should have rested their own starters in the final group match.

I certainly think a side of Belgium's caliber shouldn't be relying on that as an excuse in the World Cup.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Oh man. Belgium may just be toast. Giving up 2 goals to an "inferior" team 7 minutes in to the 2nd half and they look entirely lost. Not looking good for yet another of my favored teams. I need to stop cheering for folks I guess.

Welcome to the Bad Luck Club. :/

 

[DDennis73]

Wow. I step away to do a little work for 10-15 minutes and return to see the scoreline 0-2. This would take a lot of pressure of England IMO if the Belgians crash out. Going to make for a fun fun finish to this game. This is yet another reason why I love the WC and soccer in general. As Americans we tend to see everything through the lens of winning it all or failure. This win by Japan would be enormous and render the tournament a glorious success.

I enjoy how the same tournament can produce many winners not just the champions.

 

[DDennis73]

Hard to see this game which is so open ending 0-2. Japan need to sit back a little more IMO. The earned the lead protect it.

 

[funksouljon]

Belgium's goal tho!

 

[LesClaypool]

Vertonghen w/a very unlikely goal.

This is some 2nd half...

 

[noleit]

A rainbow header by Belgium. Now 2-1

 

[ReliableOstrich]

I enjoy how the same tournament can produce many winners not just the champions.

I felt that way about FSU's run to the elite 8. Wish we would have gone further but came out of that tournament feeling we won. No sourness whatsoever.

And just like that 2-1!

 

[GoNolesTX]

Well that was surprising. Love it when an innocent header in to the mixer just goes on frame in the right spot.

 

[noleit]

Just like that header ties it up! 2-2

 

[LesClaypool]

Aaaaaaaaand it’s 2-2.

What a match!

 

[DDennis73]

I want to say I remember Japan giving up 3 in the last ten minutes to Australia at the WC a few years back.

 

[GoNolesTX]

There's a joke about advantage in the air somewhere...

Go Red Devils!!