After Spain, Belgium and Japan all fail to win today, France remain the only team to have won both their first two games.
Brazil, Switzerland and Portugal can still join that group tomorrow. But it won’t be easy: Brazil and Switzerland play each other while Portugal have to play Uruguay.
After Spain, Belgium and Japan all fail to win today, France remain the only team to have won both their first two games.
Brazil, Switzerland and Portugal can still join that group tomorrow. But it won’t be easy: Brazil and Switzerland play each other while Portugal have to play Uruguay.
Any would think getting 4 points and a plus 4 GD was a failure.
Another great day in Qatar. 15 hours out and about across two games.
Firstly, Japan vs Costa Rica. Admittedly was a terrible game for the most part, and probably came across even worse on television.
However…When Costa Rica scored and then went on to win, there were unbelievable scenes in the stands around where I was sat. Not necessarily in big numbers - but just pure, unhinged joy.
One fella sat in the seat behind me called his parents to tell them the news, with tears streaming down his face. A proper moment seeing that.
Then after a few hours sightseeing in Lusail I went to Al-Bayt for Spain/Germany. Resisted the temptation to partake in the Salsa vs Bavarian pre match dance-off outside the stadium, as we can’t be seen to be showing them up now, can we.
Intriguing game, and Spain’s midfield/attacking play was great fun to watch.
Got back to my apartment to see the building nearby fully lit up with the Moroccan flag. They have a big following out here.
Would love to know how that could be construed as racist.
And the comparison with Pickford and Pope, both household names in the UK and instantly recognisable, to the two Moroccan shoppers.
Watching Ebbsfleet vrs Fleetwood and the commentators corrected himself a couple of times, getting mixed up with players. Could've been black players or could've been white players, it's not in my lexicon to notice things like that tbh
Your 'Moroccan shopper' is the starting goalkeeper for Sevilla. So should really be known by a semi-researched commentator.
Meant "stopper" ffs
No you didn't. You knew all along that those pesky hagglers in the Souks of Marrakesh would blag their way into a nations football team if it meant it would bag them a bargain
Spain look like they are trying to play like the great team of 5-10 years ago. But the players aren’t Iniesta, Xavi etc
Admittedly they will have to go some to match Xavi and Iniesta who are 2 of the all time great midfielders, but Pedri (20 last week) and Gavi (only turned 18 in August) are insane talents for their age and will run their midfield for the next decade.
A draw against USA now doesn’t look a bad result minus a completely ridiculous score we are through, I hope we win the game I’m personally going for 2-0 England. Watched the last England game down the yacht in long lane a good crowd
Interesting that out of 24 teams so far, no side apart from France (and even they had issues v Denmark) has won 2 out of 2.
Only Brazil/Switzerland and Portugal can match them.
I may well be wrong as I haven't looked at any previous world cups but to me that seems a very low ratio heading into the final round.
Found it a curious stat when you mentioned it, so thought I'd go have a look, slightly different though for simplicity - Since the increase to 32-teams, the following have each achieved 9-pts in the Group Stages
2018: Uruguay, Croatia and Belgium 2014: Netherlands, Colombia, Argentina and Belgium 2010: Argentina and Netherlands 2006: Germany, Portugal, Brazil and Spain 2002: Spain and Brazil 1998: France and Argentina
Interesting that out of 24 teams so far, no side apart from France (and even they had issues v Denmark) has won 2 out of 2.
Only Brazil/Switzerland and Portugal can match them.
I may well be wrong as I haven't looked at any previous world cups but to me that seems a very low ratio heading into the final round.
Found it a curious stat when you mentioned it, so thought I'd go have a look, slightly different though for simplicity - Since the increase to 32-teams, the following have each achieved 9-pts in the Group Stages
2018: Uruguay, Croatia and Belgium 2014: Netherlands, Colombia, Argentina and Belgium 2010: Argentina and Netherlands 2006: Germany, Portugal, Brazil and Spain 2002: Spain and Brazil 1998: France and Argentina
Yes to be fair not many sides win 3 out of 3 at world cups, but surely a higher ratio than this year win 2 out of 2 and then ease off in the last game. For example we won our first 2 games in Russia and then changed almost the whole team v Belgium in the last game.
Also interesting looking at your numbers, quite surprisingly you have to go back 20 years to Brazil for the last side who won every game.
Comments
Would've made for some excellent drama.
If I'm Hansi Flick, I'm starting Sane against Costa Rica. He was the best player on the pitch for that last 20 minutes.
Brazil, Switzerland and Portugal can still join that group tomorrow. But it won’t be easy: Brazil and Switzerland play each other while Portugal have to play Uruguay.
Firstly, Japan vs Costa Rica. Admittedly was a terrible game for the most part, and probably came across even worse on television.
However…When Costa Rica scored and then went on to win, there were unbelievable scenes in the stands around where I was sat. Not necessarily in big numbers - but just pure, unhinged joy.
One fella sat in the seat behind me called his parents to tell them the news, with tears streaming down his face. A proper moment seeing that.
Then after a few hours sightseeing in Lusail I went to Al-Bayt for Spain/Germany. Resisted the temptation to partake in the Salsa vs Bavarian pre match dance-off outside the stadium, as we can’t be seen to be showing them up now, can we.
Intriguing game, and Spain’s midfield/attacking play was great fun to watch.
Only Brazil/Switzerland and Portugal can match them.
I may well be wrong as i haven't looked at any previous world cups but to me that seems a very low ratio heading into the final round.
2018: Uruguay, Croatia and Belgium
2014: Netherlands, Colombia, Argentina and Belgium
2010: Argentina and Netherlands
2006: Germany, Portugal, Brazil and Spain
2002: Spain and Brazil
1998: France and Argentina
Also interesting looking at your numbers, quite surprisingly you have to go back 20 years to Brazil for the last side who won every game.