Football World Cup 2018

[Jimbuna]

Argentina were absolutely clueless last night and I find Messi a mediocre player when at international level, unlike the world class player he is at club level.

[ikalugin]

I mean with how much demonised Putin is, he may summon his dark warp sorceries to make Russia win this time.


Jokes aside, this is the first time in my lifetime when Russia got out of the group.

[Dmitry Markov]

So , Igor, it means that you are younger than 2008 ;-) ?

[Jimbuna]

Brazil looked rather jittery against Costa Rica, not scoring their goals until injury time.

[ikalugin]

Originally Posted by Dmitry Markov

So , Igor, it means that you are younger than 2008 ;-) ?

Ivan and that was Eurocup, no?

[Jimbuna]

Lucky lucky lucky Germany....probably qualify now and go on to the semi-final at least.

Belgium it would appear are now gaining form.

[Skybird]

Lucky indeed, you do not recognise this team that had 5 or 6 world champions on the green, and the rest all Confed cup winners.


A penalty for Sweden was not given. A Swedish attacker was wrestled down by even two German players inside the zone.


Jim, with Germany maybe beating Korea by 1 goal difference, it still could be kicked out, depending on the Mexican's score against Sweden. To be safe, they need at least a 2 goal win. All four teams in this group still could reach the next round.


And the match yesterday was two-faced. Strong dominance until Rudy's nose got broken (?) and a Swedish counter attack - then the hesitation and fear suddenly was back for the remaining of the first half. And the defence is not stable, it wasn't throughout the match. They pressed in the second half again until the end, but the final efficiency was lacking.


I shiver when imagining what some of the other teams would have done with this team.


I do not take a Germany victory against Korea for granted. You cannot, after these matches so far.


Positive effect from the missing of Özil and Gündogan. But when Rudy was replaced by Gündogan, immediately the midfield became stale again, somewhat. I hope Rudy can be back, he is better.



My problem with Löw is that the has loyalties for some older players that by these players' playing efficiency in the national team since years is not justified anymore. And so it is one of the oldest teams that Germany has ever sent to a championship, I think I read it is the second-oldest German team ever. At this cup, I think I heard that just one team is older than the Germans. Philipp Lahm stepped back after the cup win 4 years ago. Very wise and foresighted.

[Jimbuna]

^ Similarly with past England teams, the coaches repeatedly picking the older more experienced players and the repeated consequential failures.

This current squad is very young in comparison but the expectation is that failure is inevitable.

The moral being for coahes....damned if you do and damned if you don't

[Dmitry Markov]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Ivan and that was Eurocup, no?

Sorry, Ivan - I beg your pardon.

Shure that was Eurocup - and they didn’t make it for 2010 WC ( I had to google that - was really convinced it was a WC in 2008 - pardon my ignorance).

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Argentina were absolutely clueless last night and I find Messi a mediocre player when at international level, unlike the world class player he is at club level.

A top player like Messi and Ronaldo ain't better, then what his team mates makes them to be(don't know how to put this into words).

Messi is great in Barca, this because the other players a some great players them self like (the player from Uruguay)

While his team mates from the national Team like Argentina is mostly ordinary players.

That is how I see it.

Markus

[Skybird]

Ronaldo in the match against Spain was the one pushing his team. The question whether Ronaldo or Messi is the better player, has been answered. Messi did not push his team, nor did the team manage to push him.



I stick to it, that was probably the best match of the whole tournament. Stars, teams, "screenplay", drama - it cannot get better.

[XenonSurf]

Germany with one leg out of the championship, the Harakiri of Argentina, and a single man - Ronaldo - being the power of all his team... If this goes on we won't see any favorites in the final but maybe something like

Portugal-Croatia or Nigeria-Japan...A novelty.


I notice that the VAR (video assistant) actually brings more justice in the game, that's good.

[Jimbuna]

England play Panama tomorrow and whilst I expect England to win I doubt it will be an easy game for them.

[Skybird]

Beware the English party animals - 5:0.



England writes history, never have they done more than 4 goals in a cup match.



Poor Panama, they are getting plowed under.

[Skybird]

Panama writes history as well: 1:6 First goal ever at a WC cup.