The Knockout Stages

First topic message reminder :

Round of 16:

France vs Argentina
Portugal vs Uruguay
Spain vs Russia
Croatia vs Denmark
Brazil vs Mexico
Belgium vs Japan
Sweden vs Switzerland
England vs Colombia

Hope they will because teams who were playing friendlies were penalised vs the ones (like Poland) who didn’t (during the period when the FIFA ranking was used for the wc seeding)

Afro wrote:Aren't they changing the way they do rankings so that it is more in line with the ELO system

They are, your points are now added instead of averaging so playing friendlies doesn't lower your average. Accordingly the Swiss are now playing friendlies again.

Poland are probably out of the top 20.

That said with regards to Poland playing the rankings and failing, it cuts both ways, the Swiss got a 2nd seed and got Costa Rica and Serbia. If they drop to a 3rd seed they could end up playing teams like Spain, Uruguay etc.

GSC wrote:

Afro wrote:Aren't they changing the way they do rankings so that it is more in line with the ELO system

They are, your points are now added instead of averaging so playing friendlies doesn't lower your average. Accordingly the Swiss are now playing friendlies again.

Poland are probably out of the top 20.

https://www.eloratings.net/

Current ratings.

They are also updated after each game (not sure whether FIFA will do the same?), so these already reflect world cup performances so far

Mexico have started this game well, but keep taking the wrong options in the final 3rd. Brazil yet to get going.

0-0 ht, Interesting rather than good game. Some good play, both sides lacking in the final 3rd so far.

Brazil 1-0 Mexico - Neymar

Casemiro suspensed for QF

Brazil have woken up, great move for Neymar to Finnish. Paulinho should have scored another.

I’ve been banned for using a homophobic slur, silly me.

The amount of rolling about the Brazilians do is embarrassing. They're comfortably winning this game, there's just no need for it.

The fourth and fifth gear that the so-called pundits think Brazil can get to, just isn’t there in my opinion. It’s a lacklustre side, especially in midfield, solely reliant upon a moment of magic from either Coutinho or Neymar. Gabriel Jesus must still be in Manchester, because I’m yet to see him in four games.

I’d fancy Belgium to do Brazil, if they meet in the QF.

Firmino after the keeper saves the Neymar tie poke. Mexico left to much space at the back.

Just John wrote:The fourth and fifth gear that the so-called pundits think Brazil can get to, just isn’t there in my opinion. It’s a lacklustre side, especially in midfield, solely reliant upon a moment of magic from either Coutinho or Neymar. Gabriel Jesus must still be in Manchester, because I’m yet to see him in four games.

I’d fancy Belgium to do Brazil, if they meet in the QF.

Agree, this Brazil is functional and solid, but nothing special.. Mexico if they had taken better options in the final 3rd could have beaten them.
Belgium and France (should they get through), would not be overly worried by Brazil so far.

Although to be fair, they're winning games. Not being overly troubled at the back, can't really ask for more.

We've been spoiled by the great Brazilian teams of the past, the excitement they used to bring. The fact they would do things no one else would think of. Try things we couldn't imagine.
They're never going to be that side, the football world's changed. They had to change. Shame really.

But if they win this WC they won't care.

They should definitely be playing Firmino over Jesus atm

Enjoying this game. Japan playing well, Belgium not quite hitting top form. Interestingly poised.

Japan 1-0, great Finnish.

And straight away Belgium hit the post.

What a world cup

Scenes

Oh my god

What a goal, Japan 2-0 up.

Undercooked from an easy group.

This is what I fear for England

This World Cup keeps on delivering surprises. Reminds me
Of 2002.

Belgium have the perfect storm of a squad filled with stars around their prime, a wide open world cup and a manager to prioritised style over results.

Lukaku misses a chance he should bury. Then Japan nearly score again. Fellaini now on. This has been a great game.

GSC wrote:Belgium have the perfect storm of a squad filled with stars around their prime, a wide open world cup and a manager to prioritised style over results.

Bobby Martinez - just an abysmal abysmal manager whatever happens here

Such a poor goal to concede

Vertongen with a superb header. 1-2. 3 great goals, excellent game.

Belgium will win this 3-2

Shame

Marouane

Fellaini, Belgium 2-2.

Defense has been quite optional in both games today. Must be the heat.

Really enjoying this game tonight. Hope it goes to extra time!!

Interesting to see all that “momentum” Belgium got from winning their final group game is paying off!!!

After everything bringing on the big man and punting long balls saves Martinez

Textbook counter attack led by De Bruyne. Shame as I really enjoyed the Japanese attacking intent.

Shocking from the Japanese. Should have just done a short corner, and guaranteed ET

Chadli on the back of a brilliant counter attack. Belgium win 3-2.
Heartbreak for Japan who have been excellent today. But full credit to Belgium in fighting back to win.
Wonderful game of football.

Just John wrote:Shocking from the Japanese. Should have just done a short corner, and guaranteed ET

Lost by trying to win in a knockout game...

I thought when Hazard hit the post and Lukaku missed a couple of relatively routine headers that it was going to be one of those days for Belgium, but the substitutes made a big difference and fitting that they scored the 2nd and 3rd.

Belgium though show that having a good team on paper does not always translate that effectively to a great team - Hazard, de Bruyne and Martens don't work in combination and leave them light in the mode defensive midfield positions. I suspect against Brazil we'll see another sitting midfielder to solidify things and close the space that Courtinho in particular would make use of.

Anyway, 6 knockout games down, two classics, 2 very good and 2 a bit dull.

Pretty sure those Japan players would have died trying to play like that for another 30 minutes

Yeah hard luck to Japan.

The journey continues for Belgium. Hopefully all the way to the final.

Luke wrote:

Just John wrote:The fourth and fifth gear that the so-called pundits think Brazil can get to, just isn’t there in my opinion. It’s a lacklustre side, especially in midfield, solely reliant upon a moment of magic from either Coutinho or Neymar. Gabriel Jesus must still be in Manchester, because I’m yet to see him in four games.

I’d fancy Belgium to do Brazil, if they meet in the QF.

Agree, this Brazil is functional and solid, but nothing special.. Mexico if they had taken better options in the final 3rd could have beaten them.
Belgium and France (should they get through), would not be overly worried by Brazil so far.

Once you get past the cheating from Brazil, they are actually a very good side to watch. Neymar really needs to stop the theatrics though, it really is disgusting to watch. He can be everything good about football but everything bad as well.

most of the true greats would grace any era and do well. neymar could only play in this current non contact version of football. i love watching the great brazilians from (in my era) romario, ronaldo to ronaldinho. cant say the same about neymar, he's embarrassing

Providing Alli and Trippier are fit, do people see the team being the original XI that started against Tunisia?

I don't think Rashford did enough to usurp Sterling in the Belgium game personally, and agree with Alfie way back that he's best used off the bench as an impact sub. And I think I would stick with Young over Rose just about

not sure there is much of a debate, rose was one of the worst performers against belgium. as was rashford.

the only one would be if alli is fit coming in over rlc. which i think he will if he's fit. we already have a team lacking creativity, its even worse without alli. nearly all of our goals gave stemmed from set pieces

For all the optimists backing England there are as many pessimists who have seen too much heartache at major tournaments to start counting chickens yet.
Predictions: England to lose and Alli to get sent off and become the pariah that Beckham, briefly, was after 1998.

im still in the fairly pessimistic camp. we finished bottom of the group that contained costa rica last world cup and got knocked out by iceland in the euros, yet suddenly we can go through Columbia Croatia etc to get to a world cup final. its as easy route as you could hope for but still dont think we'll do it

I think we should start Rose, didn't think he was that bad against Belgium and his pace will be helpful against Cuadrado on that side

eirebilly wrote:

Luke wrote:

Just John wrote:The fourth and fifth gear that the so-called pundits think Brazil can get to, just isn’t there in my opinion. It’s a lacklustre side, especially in midfield, solely reliant upon a moment of magic from either Coutinho or Neymar. Gabriel Jesus must still be in Manchester, because I’m yet to see him in four games.

I’d fancy Belgium to do Brazil, if they meet in the QF.

Agree, this Brazil is functional and solid, but nothing special.. Mexico if they had taken better options in the final 3rd could have beaten them.
Belgium and France (should they get through), would not be overly worried by Brazil so far.

Once you get past the cheating from Brazil, they are actually a very good side to watch. Neymar really needs to stop the theatrics though, it really is disgusting to watch. He can be everything good about football but everything bad as well.

It’s embarrasing to watch.
A reason I don’t watch a lot of football these days.
They need to look at that a lot closer.

Don’t ask me why, but for some reason I can see England scoring early and winning quite comfortably.
Just have this feeling.

Isn’t Rodriguez out for Columbia

Although I did Columbia 2-1 on my super 6.

On that, does anyone on here do that, doing well this World Cup?
Best I’ve done is 14 points.

Think it will be the same side.
Colombia have pace wide, and as Young is better defensively I expect him to start.

I Worry we stopped any momentum we had built up by resting the side. And we start as slowly as Belgium did yesterday.
As people have said, the lack of creatively could bite us if we concede 1st. Really wouldn't surprise me if it went to ET or penalties.