The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[ProdigalGil]

Originally Posted by dmash

Can somebody update me as to why James went out at 30’? Because he’s not playing up to snuff? Or is something wrong w him?

Rodriguez had a calf injury hence he didn’t play opening match either.


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[AK797]

Well Japan have now become the villains of the WC with their cowardly farcical no-play for the last 15 mins and banking on Senegal not scoring.

Tough one to know whether we want Japan who we will beat but then Brazil who we probably won't, or play Colombia. My instinct says better to play Colombia, which is 50/50, as the next game against Swe/Swi is much easier.

[Zakalwe]

England will play to win but we’re playing our second XI against Belgium, as they are against us. The rest for the first teamers will be vital as will the experience for the remainder of the squad.

We’ve won 6 knockout games in total in over 50 years since ‘66. It’d be hugely arrogant for us to play for the “easier” last 16 match. If we’re going to win the thing (we won’t) we’re going to have to beat a great team sooner or later and if that ends up being Brazil in the QF then so be it.

Bear in mind, the way this WC is going, Mexico could beat Brazil.

Play to win, let the draw take care of itself. That’s the mentality of a winner. That’s got to be the mentality of elite sportsmen.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

Colombian media is reporting hamstring cramps.

We'll see ... He was injured right before the Japan game so maybe he isn't 100%

He played well against Poland but today he was nowhere to be seen.

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Originally Posted by ProdigalGil

Rodriguez had a calf injury hence he didn’t play opening match either.


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Ah ok. I had the sound muted as my wife was napping, and just saw him pounding the ground when they pulled him. Couldn’t find the answer online. Thanks

[superstarmar]

Go England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 !!! I’m with our Brothers across the Pond !!!!

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by superstarmar

Go England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 !!! I’m with our Brothers across the Pond !!!!

Good lad Mario!

Come on England!

[dmash]

if there's an own goal in the first 5'........

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I can’t argue with your personal preferences but it looks like we’re talking across each other.

However, the fact that you say Senegal got away with lots of fouls that should’ve got yellows does reinforce the fact that it’s not a good way of separating teams.

Personally I have not seen so much fouling and brutality in other
WC’s like this one .... it’s horrible and very unprofessional.
I was hoping Colombia and Senegal would go through .
Japan was impressive but not as much as Senegal IMHO...
To each his own .

[longimanus88]

B team for us, 9 "new" players compared to the traditional 11 (the only one maintained are our goal keeper and a defender). Nearly none of them already played together, so I don't mind if we draw or loose since this means easier future teams and less travels.
But as someone pointed out, in theory, this shouldn't be the mentality of an elite sportsman, even more if we consider that they want to show the coach how good they might be.

[TeddyS]

Originally Posted by longimanus88

B team for us, 9 "new" players compared to the traditional 11 (the only one maintained are our goal keeper and a defender). Nearly none of them already played together, so I don't mind if we draw or loose since this means easier future teams and less travels.

But as someone pointed out, in theory, this shouldn't be the mentality of an elite sportsman, even more if we consider that they want to show the coach how good they might be.

To be the best you should beat the best


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[longimanus88]

Originally Posted by TeddyS

To be the best you should beat the best

So let it be. Brazil, be ready to suffer in quarter final, Belgium is coming !!!

[ProdigalGil]

Well done England!!!!

No Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi, Pogba, Suarez until the final! Lol


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[TeddyS]

Columbia it is then


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[Zakalwe]

Despite what I said on the last page, I’m happy with that!

Columbia will be tough and they have a fantastic attack. But they’ll be a bit leggy having given it all today whereas we’ll have had 10 days rest.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by ProdigalGil

Well done England!!!!

No Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi, Pogba, Suarez until the final! Lol


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Cuadrado, Quintero, James, Falcao, Mina

Oh wait, England always beats us 🤣🤣🤣

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[ProdigalGil]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

Cuadrado, Quintero, James, Falcao, Mina

Oh wait, England always beats us 🤣🤣🤣

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The Falcon @Chelsea, Injured James, I’ll take that chance...but imagine how embarrassing would it will to lose to Japan?!


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[dmash]

I’m sorry, did you guys really miss Batshuayi’s goal celebration? This was the most epic thing of this entire tournament

https://youtu.be/I2e-nPRI82Y



Hahahaha this is better than that Iranian players throw in

[longimanus88]

Originally Posted by dmash

I’m sorry, did you guys really miss Batshuayi’s goal celebration? This was the most epic thing of this entire tournament
https://youtu.be/I2e-nPRI82Y
Hahahaha this is better than that Iranian players throw in

This guy is superb! Belgian self-mockery in its purest form: he tweeted about the fact he created a new celebration!

Might be naive to have won tonight. But I know sth for sure: we can beat ANY team and make it till the end. So Brazil in quarter, I actually like it, we'll get the revenge from 2002 and this unfairly canceled goal...

[dmash]

Originally Posted by longimanus88

This guy is superb! Belgian self-mockery in its purest form: he tweeted about the fact he created a new celebration!

Might be naive to have won tonight. But I know sth for sure: we can beat ANY team and make it till the end. So Brazil in quarter, I actually like it, we'll get the revenge from 2002 and this unfairly canceled goal...

Haha, that's really cool though, he can laugh at himself. What he probably realizes, is everybody laughs with him now, instead of at him

Also, I've been saying since the beginning Belgium team is strong. All these English guys disagree though. Tonight doesn't really prove anything though, I do think Belgium goes farther than England this year.

[Rolex Essex]

Originally Posted by dmash

I’m sorry, did you guys really miss Batshuayi’s goal celebration? This was the most epic thing of this entire tournament

https://youtu.be/I2e-nPRI82Y



Hahahaha this is better than that Iranian players throw in

I saw that too and spat my bear out laughing so hard

[AK797]

Originally Posted by dmash

I’m sorry, did you guys really miss Batshuayi’s goal celebration? This was the most epic thing of this entire tournament

https://youtu.be/I2e-nPRI82Y



Hahahaha this is better than that Iranian players throw in

Batshitcrazy always delivers, he sure is a funny guy and he's here to amuse us.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Despite what I said on the last page, I’m happy with that!

Columbia will be tough and they have a fantastic attack. But they’ll be a bit leggy having given it all today whereas we’ll have had 10 days rest.

Gotta say I'm glad we avoid Brazil so early, and if we can't beat Colombia minus James then we wouldn't have beaten Brazil anyway. Don't think Gareth minded, didn't bring Kane on at the end and so England's finishing was typical since Shearer.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by dmash

Haha, that's really cool though, he can laugh at himself. What he probably realizes, is everybody laughs with him now, instead of at him

Also, I've been saying since the beginning Belgium team is strong. All these English guys disagree though. Tonight doesn't really prove anything though, I do think Belgium goes farther than England this year.

No one in England understimates the Belgians, they have all the best players in the PL, for Chelsea, City, United, and we see them every week. It's everyone else that only rates them now.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by AK797

Gotta say I'm glad we avoid Brazil so early, and if we can't beat Colombia minus James then we wouldn't have beaten Brazil anyway. Don't think Gareth minded, didn't bring Kane on at the end and so England's finishing was typical since Shearer.

Yup. As G-Nev said, it’s Columbia and if we can beat them then Sweden/Switzerland. Never have a better chance of a WC Semi. As you say if we can’t get over those hurdles we never had a chance anyway.

[tudorbaja27]

Let the do-or-die games begin! I'm actually a bit lost with tomorrow being played no games haha

[Art 1]

To me Sweden is very interesting. They have very winnable situations in the next 2 rounds.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Let the do-or-die games begin! I'm actually a bit lost with tomorrow being played no games haha

Seriously. I have a VERY productive day head of me tomorrow. I have been USELESS for the better part of the last two weeks.

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[Rondineli]

So, top half - 10 world championships:
Uruguai: 2 time champion plus Suarez
Portugal: C. Ronaldo
France: 1 time champion
Argentina: 2 time champion plus Messi
Brazil: 5 time champion plus Neymar Jr

bottom half - 2 world championships:
Spain: 1 time champion plus S. Ramos, Iniesta
England: 1 time champion

It seems to me that the road to the final is about (10 over 2) 5 times more more difficult to reach the finals than the bottom half...

what you all think?

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

Seriously. I have a VERY productive day head of me tomorrow. I have been USELESS for the better part of the last two weeks.

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Haha same here! I actually will work tomorrow. Hmm

[Runnin' Rebel]

~ Brasil vs Mexico odds ~Thursday 28 June
~ Game on Monday -

Brasil to win World Cup
-208

Game
Brasil -180
Mexico +450

Over/under 2.5









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