FrFan

3 minutes ago, AsburySkinsFan said:

France’s defense looks incredible, but they seem a bit careless in some of their passing, possibly more of a testament to Uruguay’s pressure right now though.

Quite surprising since Varane and Umtiti were the weak links before this tournament. I got to confess that they both improved individually and as a central duo

That was stupid from both sides

That was a lucky one but I'll take it

Olééé great header from Varane

LLoris almost eating a dragonfly

What a save from LLoris !!!!

6 minutes ago, Forehead said:

ESPN is showing the Uruguay formation as a 4-1-2-1-2.  I don't think I've ever seen that before.

4-4-2 diamond and 4-5-1 aka the bus

I wish Cavani would be able to play to avoid any arrogance relapse (see final of Euro 2016).

It's been 33 years, 5 games, we didn't score against Uruguay.

France vs Brazil should be very entertaining, I do not underestimate the power of the roids on the Russian side, could be Russia vs Sweden

Griezmann declared he feels half Uruguayan. Suarez responded he is not, he doesn't know what it is to be Uruguayan.

So basically we're going to play 10 1/2 vs 11 1/2 !

I don't what the hell is wrong with him, what a bozo, he's been a major distraction from his video to this comment.

22 minutes ago, stevemcqueen1 said:

What are Belgium's chances of winning the whole thing?

Vs Brazil slim. Great coaching substitution from Belgium, Japanese coach waited too long to play Honda.

That's a lucky one

Japan 2-0 ! Nice strategy focusing on Meunier. They are way too fast for the tall slow Belgians

DeBruyn face is as red as his jersey, he seems lost on the field with no stamina

Neymar spinning on the ground

2 hours ago, Fergasun said:

Of all the teams yesterday, Russia was clearly playing for PKs.  Spain was trying to score, but inept....but when your CBs don't attack and try to overload the defense... you wonder if they really were. 

 

Re: Firmino

I just think that Brazil is stacked everywhere... yes a False 9 type of position (that's more CF, right?) is where he would play, but it's not like their midfielders are lacking in anything that he brings to the table -- is it?  I suppose I will see in a couple hours.... 

Shut down Coutinho and Brazil becomes an average team. I really enjoyed their last game, I expect Mexico to give them a hard time though.

1 hour ago, AsburySkinsFan said:

Oh I know that it’s usually the weaker team just trying to flip the script in PK’s, but it’s not unusual to see the better team resign themselves to going into PK’s. I just REALLY hate PK shoot-outs especially as they are designed now. Now, if they looked like the early US soccer shoot-outs with the run-up 1v1 that I’m slightly more OK with....slightly.

I know it sucks, we could let 10 substitutions allowed in OT, and start shooting the pks before the start of OT. Then if the OT ends in a draw the game goes to the pk shootout winner. I don't know ?

42 minutes ago, AsburySkinsFan said:

I have NEVER understood the whole “well lets just take ‘em to penalties” mentality. It may be that I’m a keeper dad and PK’s disgust me, but why in the world would you risk your WC life on something so arbitrary?!

 

And after watching the replays of the PK shootouts, well apparently no one told those kickers that they were supposed to put the ball in the upper 90. Leaving it mid-height and wide is asking for it to be blocked.

The teams which are playing to go to the pk shootout are usually the weakest in terms of technical skills, offense, coaching, but they do have a great cardio.

They feel they have a stronger chance to beat the favorite during a pk shootout because they face less pressure. It's a mental game, their only purpose is to make you fail in order to get into your head making you losing your temper or This.

I've witnessed so many great ones missing pks in OT or during regulation, Zico, Platini, Ronaldo, Messi in OT during the final of Copa America, Maradona missing 5 in a row in the argentinian league, etc...

3 minutes ago, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

MORE shots of hot, bare ass Brazilians sambaring! 

 

Sort it out Russian TV fella’s!

 

Hail.

Croatia with the luck one deflected goal and one deflected pk on the post.

7 minutes ago, Mournblade said:

I seriously hate PKs. Worst part about World Cup. 

 

You are playing for the champioship of the world. The World Cup is arguably the most coveted trophy in sports. So MAKE the teams earn it. Play 

20 OTs if you have to. Make the players play until they drop. But decide the game on a winning goal, and not on stupid pks.  

I agree, I believe the Russians lost their last qualifying group game on purpose to play in Moscow and face Spain. Then they wanted to go to the pk shootout.

I would let 10 subs in OT.

Spain 79% possession 1006 passes ! What's the point of having an insane possession when you can't win ?

1 hour ago, Long n Left said:

Otamendi, vying once again with Ramos for biggest asshole in soccer.

I'll add Mercado

1 hour ago, Warhead36 said:

Too little too late

 

No need for unnecessary Yellows France

Discipline always, unacceptable from Giroud. Props to my favorite players Hernandez with 2 assists, Pavard with the goal of the tournament despite some flaws (he's a rookie) and Kylian ! He was clocked running at 37km/h

I'll watch the game on replay

Sorry to our long time argentinians buddies

6 minutes ago, Berggy9598 said:

Discipline or admonish? Players get admonished all the time. I've watched every single game Pogba has played over the past two seasons at club level and I'm aware that he can drift in and out of games, but he's played very well in this world cup and deserves credit. Aaron Rodgers would have been proud of that pass to Mbappe, a pass very few players in world football could pull off. 

I said disciplined !

42 minutes ago, Berggy9598 said:

Pogba had a hand in every single goal you've scored in this tournament. Two of which came as a result of him pressing high up the pitch. Imagine if he was hard working. 

Ask Deschamps he already had to discipline him twice and once during training in front of the press

France +

Youth, individual talent

France -

Average coach without real authority, central backs (Varane, Umtiti), arrogance, lazyness (Pogba), inconsistency (Griezmann, Dembélé, Pogba), unacceptableoff the field distractions (Umtiti, Griezmann).

NO leader, how do you expect to win anything without a leader ?

Keeping Fekir on the bench

Argentina +

Messi when he played the way he did vs Nigeria, overall talent, experience, they'll have the homefield advantage.

Argentina -

Worst coach of the tournament, right and left backs, sometimes lack of will to overcome adversity.

I expect la Pulga to keep on getting better, if not he'll join Puskas, Kopa, Cruyff, Platini, Ronaldo (so far) as kings without a (world) crown.

Edit: Mbappé giving his WC games bonuses to a charity he's sponsoring

Fourth substitution in case of OT starts today

Number up to 96,000 for USA