2022 FIFA World Cup

by Duty281 Mon 07 Nov 2022, 2:35 pm

First topic message reminder :

The strangest World Cup of them all will begin in Qatar in just a couple of weeks. The first World Cup (and surely not the last!) to be held in Arabia; the first World Cup not to take place in May, June or July; only the second World Cup to be hosted in Asia; and the last World Cup to be played with the 32-team format, as from 2026 the tournament will expand to 48 teams.

Free-scoring Brazil are, as usual, the bookmakers' favourites for the World Cup. It's been quite a barren run for the five-time winners - 20 years since they last won the tournament, and they've only made it past the quarter-finals once in the last four iterations. They were runners-up in last year's Copa America, but have since gone on an unbeaten run which has seen them cruise through qualification.

Argentina, the Copa America champions, are installed as the second favourites, in what will surely be Messi's last chance of World Cup glory. The Argentines are on a very long unbeaten run, having not experienced defeat in any fixture for over three years. Will Messi finally emulate Maradona and lead his side to their first World Cup in 36 years? Uruguay and Ecuador are the only other South American entrants; Colombia and Chile have missed out.

Turning to Europe, France are defending their second World Cup crown - they will be hoping it will go better than their first defence when they were dispatched in the group stage in 2002. On paper they still retain a strong side; in reality they're on a poor run of form, having been knocked out of the last Euros in the Last 16, and some key players will miss the World Cup through injury.

Europe, of course, has a wide range of potential winners extending beyond France. England, with an array of exciting attacking talent, will try to end all those years of hurt and misery, having come so close last year to breaking the duck. But they have also struggled in recent times, with Southgate struggling to get the best out of his creative talents. Germany and Spain both won the World Cup in the last decade, and are hoping to bounce back from disappointments in 2018. Belgium's golden generation has one last chance to deliver, as does Ronaldo for Portugal. The Dutch and the Danes will remain optimistic, and Wales are in it for the first time since 1958.

Or, perchance, for the very first time a winner outside of Europe and South America? African champions Senegal are likely leading this charge, with Mane and Koulibaly at the heart of their side, although no African nation has ever made the semi-finals of this competition. The North Americans are well represented with all three host nations of 2026 - Canada, USA and Mexico - and Costa Rica making an appearance, although you'll have to go back to 1930 for the last, and only, time a North American team made the semi-final stage.

Oceania have zero representation - unless you count Australia, but in footballing terms Australia are as Asian as Israel are European - and haven't done so since New Zealand's unbeaten run in 2010. The Asian continent hasn't done anything of note since South Korea in 2002, and their best hope this year probably comes from the South Koreans or Japanese, although hosts Qatar will be hoping to navigate themselves through a tricky group.

Um...come on, England?

Odds on the outright winners:

Odds on Golden Boot:

World Cup Schedule:

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 3:03 pm

If Ecuador lose to the Netherlands by a single goal they'll need a draw against Senegal. 2-0 or a bigger margin then Senegal only need a draw.

Usually it's a shame when the host nation goes out but I don't think anyone will be missing Qatar for very long

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 3:15 pm

I think quite a few will be glad Qatar are out and heading towards three defeats. A small measure of revenge after they got to host this tournament.

De Ligt is dropped by the Dutch after his struggles in the opener, Timber coming in. Depay still on the bench. Valencia has shaken off his injury to lead Ecuador's front line again.

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 4:08 pm

What a strike from Gakpo to breach the Ecuador defence after five minutes. First time Ecuador have conceded in a while, and they're not exactly set up to chase a game.

by dummy_half Fri 25 Nov 2022, 4:27 pm

BBC's pundits describing Hennessey's red card as unlucky is definitely playing to the audience. He committed to coming out to clear the ball 30 yards up the pitch, and he didn't get there before the attacker, and just wiped the Iranian player out - there will be few if any more clear-cut red cards in the tournament than this one...

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 5:14 pm

Deserved equaliser for Ecuador, they've made all the running since going behind. Dutch have only had one shot in the entire game.

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 5:59 pm

A match that showed the limitations of this Dutch side but they're still well placed to top the group by hammering Qatar.

Ecuador will have to avoid defeat against Senegal to advance. Valencia's fitness the big question mark

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 5:59 pm

Qatar the first team eliminated

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 6:02 pm

A draw, but Ecuador were the better side.

Didn't have the Dutch as potential winners before the World Cup started, now I'm even less impressed. They've made very heavy weather of playing Senegal and Ecuador, and any team that does that isn't going to be troubling the heavyweights. Netherlands were simply out-worked today by the South Americans. Flashes of quality up front but nothing consistent, Depay not fully fit, and the defence is made up of individuals, not partnerships.

But they should still top the group and look set to face Iran/USA in the last 16. If they get past that then, due to Argentina's defeat to Saudi Arabia, they may face a team such as Denmark, rather than a traditional big nation, in the QFs, meaning the Dutch could still make a deep run in this tournament despite everything.

Ecuador, still not sure what to make of them. Haven't really seen them tested defensively yet. On the ball they look a capable unit and dangerous on the counter, though they may lose Valencia for this competition after he broke down again. Avoid defeat v Senegal and they're in the last 16, so that sets up the final lot of games in this group quite decently. They could top the group but that would require the Dutch slipping up v Qatar (very unlikely) or Ecuador beating Senegal by a larger margin than the Dutch beat Qatar (quite unlikely). I'd be surprised if Senegal beat Ecuador. So second is more likely for Ecuador and that currently means a game v England in the last 16.

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 6:16 pm

England unchanged. USA make one change, and it's the one I thought they would make - Wright, a more physical striking option, replaces Sargent.

Will be curious to see how the USA play tonight. I don't expect them to try the high press as they did v Wales, because England will pass through it and then use the pace of Sterling and Saka to get in behind, but they're still fielding plenty of attack-minded players, so they're not really set to mount a defensive rearguard. As mentioned earlier, a draw doesn't do much more than a defeat for the USA as they would still need to beat Iran in the final game, so they should show more enterprise than the Iranians. Conditioning of the USA was also a problem in that second half v Wales, so we'll see how much they've recovered from that tough battle.

Bellingham and Musah in the middle of midfield should be good value. Hope England carry on tonight as they did v Iran and play attacking football and be the first team to get through to the last 16. We saw at the last Euros that, after a solid win v Croatia, England were turgid beyond belief against Scotland in the follow-up game, taking a rubbish 0-0 draw. Not that again.

England have given the USA a fair few hammerings in football, but only in friendlies and never at World Cups. World Cup games between the two only feature the big upset in 1950, Rob Green's spill in 2010 and whatever tonight begins.

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 7:52 pm

Need to wake up. Very tepid and half paced, nobody trying to up the tempo

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 7:55 pm

This is what I feared. It's Scotland repeated, but the USA are better than Scotland.

Far too ponderous in possession for the most part. On the rare occasion England have lifted the tempo they have managed to create chances in the wide positions, but they need to maintain that. Too many players taking four touches or playing it sideways. Kane has dropped deep too much. This is fine for Tottenham, but with England there's no one else making runs in behind the opposition defence. Really like Bellingham's free role and Mount's looking good, both defensively and offensively. Sterling has barely been seen. Saka's given the ball away lot, but if he runs at the USA more he'll yield results.

Defensively, England have real problems down the left. We saw snippets of this v Iran. Shaw's positioning has been woeful, plus he's getting little help from Sterling, and we're seeing lots of good crosses from the America right flank. Pressing all over has been woeful. There's no urgency and the USA are being treated with too much respect in possession. They've had the better chances.

Press higher. Move the ball quicker. Use the substitutes if required after 60-65 minutes.

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 8:58 pm

Well that was a bit Poopie

by alfie Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:00 pm

Well to be honest I had thought this was going to be a tricky game : but a nil all draw was not what I'd expected. Obviously England will be disappointed after that electric start against Iran ; but you have to give USA credit . They aren't a bad team and they doubtless took confidence from the fact that they never lose to England at World Cups Smile

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:01 pm

Pragmatically it's mostly job done, Wales would have to thrash us to not make it. But take the handbrake off, win the game and have a game off.

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:03 pm

And that's why England won't win the World Cup this year. I had hoped that with this being Southgate's last World Cup, and maybe with that last Nations League game with Germany in his mind, that the shackles would be eased and England would be more expansive. To dare is to do and all that.

But, no, it's not going to be that way and I suppose it was foolish to think otherwise. If Southgate is scared to press and attack the USA, there's no hope that it's going to be anything other than the rubbish served up v Italy last year in the final again when England come up against a big nation, so England will be going out to the first decent team they play. A shame. Imagine having Phil Foden at your disposal, a regular starter for the best club in England and one of the best clubs in the world, but he doesn't even get a second on the field.

This will be the second consecutive tournament, that England had a chance of success in, thrown away under a depressingly negative manager. I really wish England had been in the other side of the draw at last year's Euros because then if England had played against Italy in the L16/QF stage, and played as they did in the final, Southgate would have been out by now.

Never mind. Let's just get through this and hope Southgate goes at the end. He'll probably have to resign because I doubt the FA will sack him due to the big pay off required. If Southgate leads England into Euro 2024 it doesn't bare thinking about.

Surprised the USA, who deserved the win, didn't push more at the end. Maybe it was just a pride thing in not losing. They have to beat Iran in the final game or they'll be going home.

England are 99% through. A win v Wales will see England top the group for certain; a draw and it's a maybe; a loss and it's a probably not.

Oh and England are utterly terrible at attacking set-pieces and have been for a while. For a manager who sets a lot of store by them it's quite something.

by mountain man Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:10 pm

That was terrible. England looked like they were playing for a draw all game and by end glad to get it

Not good enough.

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:13 pm

Yeah the big issue with Southgate. Give him a chance to take a point against an inferior team and he'll settle every time. US well organised and ran hard but we should be beating these

by alfie Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:31 pm

Think it is a bit early to write off the whole event after one disappointing performance ! Not many teams win seven games so rather get a draw out the way now. I'm sure Duty won't be the only regular critic to make Southgate bashing the main focus of the analysis but it seemed to me that quite a few of the players who shone against Iran were just that little bit "off" tonight. Will wait and see how they respond against Wales...and unless some disaster befalls them then , on to the knockouts.

On the bright side , even the armchair pundits can't blame Maguire for this one as he was England's best player Smile

Wales of course will be pretty shattered by their loss. Iran of course much better than they had looked against England but really I'd expected far better from Wales . They were very poor even before the keeper got himself sent off and would need to improve out of sight to worry England.

by **Galted** Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:35 pm

Duty281 wrote:And that's why England won't win the World Cup this year. I had hoped that with this being Southgate's last World Cup, and maybe with that last Nations League game with Germany in his mind, that the shackles would be eased and England would be more expansive. To dare is to do and all that.

But, no, it's not going to be that way and I suppose it was foolish to think otherwise. If Southgate is scared to press and attack the USA, there's no hope that it's going to be anything other than the rubbish served up v Italy last year in the final again when England come up against a big nation, so England will be going out to the first decent team they play. A shame. Imagine having Phil Foden at your disposal, a regular starter for the best club in England and one of the best clubs in the world, but he doesn't even get a second on the field.

This will be the second consecutive tournament, that England had a chance of success in, thrown away under a depressingly negative manager. I really wish England had been in the other side of the draw at last year's Euros because then if England had played against Italy in the L16/QF stage, and played as they did in the final, Southgate would have been out by now.

Never mind. Let's just get through this and hope Southgate goes at the end. He'll probably have to resign because I doubt the FA will sack him due to the big pay off required. If Southgate leads England into Euro 2024 it doesn't bare thinking about.

Surprised the USA, who deserved the win, didn't push more at the end. Maybe it was just a pride thing in not losing. They have to beat Iran in the final game or they'll be going home.

England are 99% through. A win v Wales will see England top the group for certain; a draw and it's a maybe; a loss and it's a probably not.

Oh and England are utterly terrible at attacking set-pieces and have been for a while. For a manager who sets a lot of store by them it's quite something.

Very succinctly put, though I would've used 'moose-faced c*nt' instead of 'Southgate'. His post-match interview made me want to put the cat through the tv.

by GSC Fri 25 Nov 2022, 9:39 pm

As I say pragmatically it's far from a disaster. But just be nice to see England take the mindset they're gonna kill off an inferior side.

Still Southgate has gotten it right more often than not. beat a Wales side that hasnt been at it so far and little is lost

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 10:35 pm

alfie wrote:Think it is a bit early to write off the whole event after one disappointing performance ! Not many teams win seven games so rather get a draw out the way now. I'm sure Duty won't be the only regular critic to make Southgate bashing the main focus of the analysis but it seemed to me that quite a few of the players who shone against Iran were just that little bit "off" tonight. Will wait and see how they respond against Wales...and unless some disaster befalls them then , on to the knockouts.

On the bright side , even the armchair pundits can't blame Maguire for this one as he was England's best player

Wales of course will be pretty shattered by their loss. Iran of course much better than they had looked against England but really I'd expected far better from Wales . They were very poor even before the keeper got himself sent off and would need to improve out of sight to worry England.

England won't win this tournament unless they back their creative players to do the business. Southgate doesn't. So England have little chance.

by Duty281 Fri 25 Nov 2022, 10:41 pm

Some interesting games on tomorrow at least.

Tunisia up against the Aussies. Really a must-win for both sides, as Tunisia have the French last. After a promising start v the Danes, Tunisia should get a win here and four points in the group would give them a chance.

Poland against Saudi Arabia. Not originally one of interest, but now we all want to see if Saudi can back up the shock by doing the same to Poland, who were lacklustre and dull v Mexico. A win would get Saudi Arabia through. Shocked

France v Denmark. France got three points to kick off against a poor Australian side, after an early blip, but can they replicate it against stronger opponents? The Danes did the double over France in the Nations League so it's not cut-and-dried.

And Argentina against Mexico. Should be quite tempestuous. Argentina needing to rebound after getting shocked, a loss here and their World Cup might be over. Mexico haven't beaten Argentina for 18 years.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat 26 Nov 2022, 11:08 am

Actually think we looked a bit better post subs, and we're going to need one of Phillips/Henderson to start alongside Rice in the knockout stages, with Bellingham furthest forward in the midfield three if we are going to continue with the 4-3-3 formation.
I struggle to see what he sees in Mount personally

Not a great performance but not a disaster either - think they had one decent chance all game and I can't remember Pickford doing anything 2nd half. And as said barring some sort of 1 in 100 turnaround in the final round of fixtures, we're through which is all that matters

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 11:59 am

Aussies win a poor-quality game 1-0, very few chances for either side. Keeps Australia in the tournament, but they'll need at least a draw v the Danes to advance. The end for Tunisia unless they beat France.

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 12:04 pm

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Actually think we looked a bit better post subs, and we're going to need one of Phillips/Henderson to start alongside Rice in the knockout stages, with Bellingham furthest forward in the midfield three if we are going to continue with the 4-3-3 formation.
I struggle to see what he sees in Mount personally

Not a great performance but not a disaster either - think they had one decent chance all game and I can't remember Pickford doing anything 2nd half. And as said barring some sort of 1 in 100 turnaround in the final round of fixtures, we're through which is all that matters

Don't think we'll see four at the back if England come up against someone good, such as France. Walker would be coming in as a CB to make it five at the back, probably at the expense of Saka. I doubt Mount will be dropped because Southgate likes his greater defensive workrate.

by alfie Sat 26 Nov 2022, 1:00 pm

Australia keeping themselves alive with that win...took a couple of fine bits of defending in the last few minutes to hold on to the lead but now they will probably go to the last game needing "only" a draw against Denmark. Which could be a worry if they were to go in seeking just a point as I'm not sure the defence is all that sound generally - but that can wait a few days.
Tunisia are basically dead as they ain't beating France on this planet...

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 1:14 pm

Saudis really taking the game to Poland. There were many teams people were excited to watch coming into this World Cup...but I don't think Saudi Arabia were on the list!

by Lowlandbrit Sat 26 Nov 2022, 1:31 pm

Random leftover thought from yesterday: are Wales technically the team with the worst domestic league in this?

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 2:01 pm

Saudi much the better team, but they've missed a penalty and Poland managed to pinch a goal at the other end. Well, Saudi have come from behind at HT to win before, they'd like to do it again.

Cash for Poland very lucky not to be sent off.

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 2:04 pm

Lowlandbrit wrote:Random leftover thought from yesterday: are Wales technically the team with the worst domestic league in this?

I think so as the Welsh league has very few professional teams, it's mainly semi-pro and amateur, but of course the two biggest Welsh clubs play in the English system which helps things.

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 3:03 pm

Poland win 2-0.

Reminiscent of Canada-Belgium, with Saudi in the Canada role. Missed a penalty, missed several other chances, controlled most of the play, caught out on the break, and then tired at the end. They'll be wondering how they didn't get at least a point. But they've still got a good shot at qualification in what is a tight group. A Mexico-Argentina draw later would be the best result for them.

Poland are top of the group and looking good with 4 points, but their remaining game is Argentina. I think a Mexican win later would be the best outcome for them.

by GSC Sat 26 Nov 2022, 5:59 pm

France through to the last 16 riding Mbappes form. Denmark will have to beat Australia, Tunisia virtually out

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 6:00 pm

France win 2-1 over Denmark. Denmark had more of the ball but were fairly passive, scoring an equaliser through a set-piece. France looked the more dangerous team throughout and Mbappe's run to get the winner was sublime.

A loss isn't really any different from a draw for Denmark. They need to beat Australia to advance to the last 16, anything else and they're out. Australia will assume avoiding defeating will be enough to get them to the last 16, as Tunisia are very unlikely to beat France.

France are the first team through to the last 16. Early indications are that they look good, and are closer to the brilliance on paper than the underwhelming displays at last year's Euros and this year's Nations League. For me, they're probably just behind Brazil at the moment as the two serious contenders. Spain could make that a three if they play well and beat Germany tomorrow.

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 8:57 pm

Argentina get past Mexico. Didn't do a lot with the ball generally, but two sublime finishes, one from Messi, gets them the three points. They'll have to make big improvements to win this trophy, however. Mexico very toothless. Still yet to score a goal at this World Cup.

All four teams can get through in the final game.

by Duty281 Sat 26 Nov 2022, 11:24 pm

Most interesting game of tomorrow is of course Spain v Germany, with Germany teetering on the edge after being beaten by Japan. Argentina were also teetering today, but Germany have a much harder fixture in game two! Spain may be able to underline their World Cup winning credentials with another strong win.

Germany probably need to target a win as a draw would leave them a fair bit to do. The picture will become clearer by the time they kick off as Japan play Costa Rica in the earlier game.

Belgium play Morocco in the other group, surely Belgium will be comfortable this time? And everyone's favourite team Canada will look to attack Croatia. Will Canada have enough energy left in the tank after a monumental effort v Belgium left them out on their feet? A draw would probably keep Canada in realistic contention as they play Morocco last.

by alfie Sun 27 Nov 2022, 6:25 am

Duty281 wrote:Argentina get past Mexico. Didn't do a lot with the ball generally, but two sublime finishes, one from Messi, gets them the three points. They'll have to make big improvements to win this trophy, however. Mexico very toothless. Still yet to score a goal at this World Cup.

All four teams can get through in the final game.

Argentina staying alive but not out of the woods yet. Saudis will surely beat Mexico so Poland only need a point to put them out. Not sure the Poles are good enough to get that point but it is going to be a pretty tense affair in the last group game.

France certainly looking ominously strong despite all their injury absences - though I am not very impressed by what I have seen of Denmark so it could be partly a lack of strong opposition allowing them to show off all their skills with minimal pressure. They will surely marmalize Tunisia anyway ; and I actually give Australia a pretty good chance of getting the point they need to beat Denmark for second in the group - which would surprise a lot of people !

Two quite interesting groups - probably more so than most would have thought on seeing the draw ?

by alfie Sun 27 Nov 2022, 11:30 am

67 minutes in and amazingly no goals ...thought Japan would have several by now Smile

Missed the first half and from comments I've been reading that was a blessing ! Plenty of (Japanese dominated) action in this half - but so far Japan haven't been able to get a reward for all their attacks...

by alfie Sun 27 Nov 2022, 11:42 am

But now it's Costa Rica that score ! From their first shot on target in the two matches...and a rare foreward visit tonight. Talk about against the run of play...

Japan a bit stunned. Ten minutes or so to turn this around now.

by alfie Sun 27 Nov 2022, 12:01 pm

Astonishing turnaround for Costa Rica ! Thrashed 7-0 one day...beating Japan today !

Reverse journey for Japan after the thrill of beating Germany ...who will be grateful for this useful lifeline Smile

Guess Japan have paid the penalty for doing nothing for the first half today. Really had half a dozen decent scoring chances in the second half to virtually none by their opponents : but it was Costa Rica who made something of the one real chance they had. Goalkeeper will come under a bit of criticism for that but the whole team will be rightly disappointed they blew this one... I really don't fancy their chances against Spain now.

by mountain man Sun 27 Nov 2022, 12:48 pm

Right forget about Argentina and France and all the other also rans!

Big game is Tuesday England v Wales. Wales need a win and for USA Iran to draw. England need to either win or draw or not lose by more than 3 if theres a result in USA Iran game.

Who's ya money on? England really should cruise it but being England almost certainly won't. They'll probably nervously try and defend 0-0 for 90 mins. FFS.

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 1:01 pm

Very poor from Japan, they couldn't seem to raise their game for Costa Rica. Leaves them likely needing to get something from the Spain game. Also means that Spain could be content for a draw later. And Germany would be alright with a draw, because as long as Japan don't beat Spain then a win over Costa Rica would almost certainly do.

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 1:02 pm

alfie wrote:
Duty281 wrote:Argentina get past Mexico. Didn't do a lot with the ball generally, but two sublime finishes, one from Messi, gets them the three points. They'll have to make big improvements to win this trophy, however. Mexico very toothless. Still yet to score a goal at this World Cup.

All four teams can get through in the final game.

Argentina staying alive but not out of the woods yet. Saudis will surely beat Mexico so Poland only need a point to put them out. Not sure the Poles are good enough to get that point but it is going to be a pretty tense affair in the last group game.

France certainly looking ominously strong despite all their injury absences - though I am not very impressed by what I have seen of Denmark so it could be partly a lack of strong opposition allowing them to show off all their skills with minimal pressure. They will surely marmalize Tunisia anyway ; and I actually give Australia a pretty good chance of getting the point they need to beat Denmark for second in the group - which would surprise a lot of people !

Two quite interesting groups - probably more so than most would have thought on seeing the draw ?

Not sure I'd be confident on Saudi beating Mexico, Mexico are still the odds-on favourites for it.

Yes, two quite interesting groups, not open and shut as many thought.

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 1:12 pm

mountain man wrote:Right forget about Argentina and France and all the other also rans!

Big game is Tuesday England v Wales. Wales need a win and for USA Iran to draw. England need to either win or draw or not lose by more than 3 if theres a result in USA Iran game.

Who's ya money on? England really should cruise it but being England almost certainly won't. They'll probably nervously try and defend 0-0 for 90 mins. FFS.

England will probably be content for a draw, knowing Southgate, but Wales should attack to have any chance of progression and that would leave them open to the counter. England have got to be on it, because this is Wales' World Cup final and the opening 25 minutes will be highly intense. I'm not sure if we'll see some players rested, such as Kane, for this game, but it could be an option with progression virtually secure. There will only be 4/5 days between the Wales game and the L16 match.

Of course an England draw or defeat could leave them finishing second, and the two possible routes are currently looking like this:

If England finish second - Looks like the Netherlands in the L16, probably Argentina in the QF (if they beat Poland in the final game), Brazil/Spain in the SF, France in the final?
First - Ecuador/Senegal in the L16, France in the QF, Belgium/Portugal in the SF, Brazil/Spain in the final?

Of course there's a lot of football to be played and quite a lot can change!

by Lowlandbrit Sun 27 Nov 2022, 2:37 pm

How do you let that happen twice in one game?

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 3:14 pm

Time to count Belgium out as contenders then! They just look really old and tired. Canada should have beaten them as well.

Fair play to Morocco. It was a drab game but they were well organised and dangerous from set-pieces.

Belgium need a draw or a Canada win in the upcoming game.

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 4:51 pm

Canada down 2-1 after taking an early lead. They look absolutely exhausted and have no answer to the Croatian press or Croatian counter-attack.

by Lowlandbrit Sun 27 Nov 2022, 5:33 pm

Canada not really offering much other than enthusiasm.

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 6:00 pm

Yeah, Canada had nothing left after the Belgium game. Puts them out which is a shame as they should have got three points v Belgium.

Think Morocco just need to avoid defeat v Canada and they're through. Belgium probably require a win over Croatia.

by Duty281 Sun 27 Nov 2022, 9:18 pm

Spain and Germany play out a 1-1 draw. Spain controlled possession for the most part, and I was surprised they conceded a late equaliser. Germany were vastly improved defensively from the Japan game.

Germany now just need to beat Costa Rica and hope that Japan don't beat Spain, as they're very unlikely to overturn Spain's GD. It's a scenario Germany will be confident of meeting.

Get to see Brazil tomorrow up against Switzerland, and Cameroon v Serbia as they both scrap for tournament survival. Portugal v Uruguay in the other group - Uruguay need at least a point or it's very uphill - and South Korea v Ghana, where both teams should be looking for a win.

by alfie Mon 28 Nov 2022, 4:38 am

Duty281 wrote:Spain and Germany play out a 1-1 draw. Spain controlled possession for the most part, and I was surprised they conceded a late equaliser. Germany were vastly improved defensively from the Japan game.

Germany now just need to beat Costa Rica and hope that Japan don't beat Spain, as they're very unlikely to overturn Spain's GD. It's a scenario Germany will be confident of meeting.

Get to see Brazil tomorrow up against Switzerland, and Cameroon v Serbia as they both scrap for tournament survival. Portugal v Uruguay in the other group - Uruguay need at least a point or it's very uphill - and South Korea v Ghana, where both teams should be looking for a win.

Think Germany would actually need to win by two goals - or at least score more goals than Japan - in the event of a (not quite impossible) Spain/Japan draw, because they are currently -1 to Japan's 0 on GD. But they would probably fancy their chances of doing so : not sure Costa Rica have another surprise up their sleeve.

Thought Germany looked a lot better this time but were fortunate Spain seemed to take their foot off the gas a bit after taking the lead. Guess nobody will be resting players for the last round in this group !

by Sponsored content

Who will win the World Cup?