2018 World Cup

Modric should've put the penalty away. Denmark now have the wind in their sails...
 
I wonder if Modric will take a Croatian penalty. Talk about pressure.
 
Phew Croatia make it through,and I'm glad to be wrong as this is the better result from a caste,footballing perspective.

Now one more strong team to back aside from Uruguay.
 
Credit Modric for stepping up. Some poor penalties there. The last Danish miss was a 'stutter step' penalty. I never like those. Pick a corner and just belt it there or down the middle.
 
At this WC we've seen Messi, Ronaldo, Modric, and Christian Eriksen all miss penalties.
 
Matra2 said:
Credit Modric for stepping up. Some poor penalties there. The last Danish miss was a 'stutter step' penalty. I never like those. Pick a corner and just belt it there or down the middle.
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I agree the Dane faked "himself" out rather than the goalie. Smack the damn ball.

Schmeichel did everything humanly possible to lift the Danes but his team flubbed up.

Croatia is a tough team and a hard fought win for them. I see them beating Russia and getting to the semifinals.
 
Some great results today! I was happy to see Croatia hold on against Denmark, I still think they are a dangerous side, especially with getting Russia in the QFs. Russia's win was very impressive today as well. They defended VERY well against Spain. Of course, the media gave Russia no credit for it. I loved the last save from Akinfeev. It's cool to see the tournament's lowest-ranked team proving everybody wrong so far.

It was very important for Croatia to score right away after Denmark got the lead early on. I thought for sure Denmark would win when the match went to penalties, especially considering Schmeichel saved the Modric winner just before. Subasic came up huge.

Even though Spain is a good side for us to cheer for, I'm glad to see them out. They simply didn't have the x-factors like they did in 2010. The result? They took the air out of the match trying to solve Russia's defense, with very few chances over 120 minutes, resulting in a very boring affair. Spain were a lot like Germany this tournament in that they had no ideas in the final third on how to get a goal. I also thought Croatia-Denmark was a better watch.


Matra2 said:
Credit Modric for stepping up. Some poor penalties there. The last Danish miss was a 'stutter step' penalty. I never like those. Pick a corner and just belt it there or down the middle.
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I agree with this. It just seems like those "stutter step" penalties seems to result in a higher number of misses than just belting it. There also weren't any elevation on most of the penalties, making them an easier save for the keeper. The only penalty that was elevated at all was Kjaer's.

For the matches tomorrow, at least one of Mexico/Brazil will get knocked out, and hopefully Belgium are able to beat Japan, although I wouldn't be too mad if the media can't talk about "their boy" Lukaku any more.
 
I've been watching the WCs since I was 5, and have memories of the 1986 Cup. From 1990 onwards, I remember them all fairly well. And in each one, there's always been 2-3 clear cut favorites and in the end they ended up winning the Cup each time. It's nearly impossible for a "Cinderella" to sneak in and win it, but this year, it's a pretty open Cup. 2002 somewhat comes close, as both Turkey and South Korea made it to the semis out of nowhere, but in the end it was Brazil defeating Germany.

Some of the traditional powers are already out, others are still in it. Of the 8 teams that will end up in the QFs, all except Russia will have a legit chance to win it all. Not at all impressed with Brazil or France, they do not strike fear in anyone's eyes. Honestly, as long as France doesn't win it, I'll be happy. Brazil has always been a fairly mixed/majority dark team, so if they win it won't be a victory for the caste system.

Croatia winning would be simply unbelievable.
 
Two all-white teams make it through to the next round: Croatia and Russia.

Modric didn't look sharp today, he seemed either tired or distracted. Perhaps it was because of the high humidity during the game. I expect him to be back to his usual self in the match against Russia.
 
Can’t believe I’m gonna root for Mexico. Mostly just to see Brazil knocked out but also because their team has a few more Castizos or mostly White players.

In the late game, I expect Belgium to get through with little trouble.
 
Brazil looked legit scary today,and have to be favorites after the ease with which they spanked Mexico.

Neymar scored a goal and assisted the other,but I am in no mood to praise him thanks to his sickening sickening theatrics.Robben and Suarez would have been proud of that.

A word about Mexico though.They were tactically all over the place and seemed to have no plan at either end of the pitch and never really caused a panic in the Brazilian defense nor stitched up a meaningful attack.This should have been expected in hindsight,as Sweden too spanked them and the win over Germany which looked impressive then wasn't really much,as proven by the fact that even lowly South Korea later dismantled them.

So while Brazil are now favorites and look like they're on fire,I still think all of the remaining teams except Sweden,Russia(sorry) and Switzerland have a legit chance of beating them.

Coming to the other game,I fully expected Belgium to make quick work of a really average Japan,whose only strength seems to be their much vaunted "discipline",but they seem to have passed the Belgian hurdle as they are already two goals up,courtesy of Haraguchi and Inui.

Its really wonder that a team with a mug like Maya Yoshida in Central Defense is going to be in the quarter finals.
I hate this new modern soccer where no team can defend with any level of competence.
 
Belgium are lucky AF. Japan deserved to win, but their defending just wasn't good enough...
 
T
ENDSIEG said:
Belgium are lucky AF. Japan deserved to win, but their defending just wasn't good enough...
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They were also careless in the midfield when they were up 2-0 leading to the attack where Vertonghen scored that weird header.
 
Matra2 said:
Sad ending. Two of Belgium's goals scored by Muslims.
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The winning goal was due to a great run and perfect pass from Kevin de Bruyne, he did 98% of the work, Chadli had an open net and couldn't miss.

kevin-de-bruyne-69338.jpg
 
As long as England, Belgium or France don't win I'll be happy. I just can't stand the though of all the progandists going on about how 'diversity' works on a football pitch, so why can't it work in society, blah,blah, blah...

Croatia would be my favourite now of the White teams still left. Brazil look like they could win it, but who knows how it will end...
 
OK all points above well taken and Belgium was a bit lucky. But I like the result. Like the Philosopher I think Brazil is in the drivers seat. At least Belgium could pull the upset. Japan would have been a walk in the park for Brazil.

Most crucially with apologies to Harry Kane the best white player left in the tournament (unless I am missing someone) is Eden Hazard. His burst is spectacular and his dexterity, quickness and sheer skill is top flight. I imagine he is a top 10 player here at the WC. Perhaps even top 5. He didn't get to totally shine against Japan but he has great energy and did assist on the second goal. My type of player.

He is the team captain and their best player. Even the announcers were very complimentary of him today.

[And de Bruyne see above is a world class midfielder. I would take Belgium over France and England. Yes I understand their "diversity" but they have a white presence that can't be ignored. I sure and hell won't be rooting for Brazil in that match up.]
 
Yes, but two Moroccan substitutes scored. The talk so far is what great substitutions those were by Martinez. I wouldn't be surprised if they start against Brazil. Actually, the main problem was that the Japanese were not prepared for a counter-attack from the corner. They were trying to win the match.

Eden Hazard deserves much of the credit for the Fellaini goal as it was his nifty move and cross on his left foot that set up Fellaini perfectly.

Both Lukaku and Vincent Kompany were poor.

Defensively, Belgium look vulnerable. With Brazil getting better with each game Belgium will have their work cut out at the back.
 
BTW what about Neymar's hilarious overeaction to the minor stomping he received from one of the Mexicans.
 
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