Even when they don’t seem at their usual level, Brazil just have that World Cup aura that no one else has.
I really hate them using head to head as the differentiator when teams are on different points. I think they did it to stop one big result crushing a team, but it has just given us loads of teams with absolutely nothing to play for after two games like Haiti, Turkey, etc.
I don’t necessarily disagree, just think it makes the tournament a little more boring on the final of the groups. But tbf, just don’t lose both your matches I guess lol.
Korea looking uninterested again, I know a draw is basically enough to go through but you'd think they'd want the win after the Mexico game.
Korea with the same shit as vs Mexico, came in looking for a draw, conceded around the start/middle of the second half, still didn't do anything until the last 10 minutes, and eventually just lose 1-0. Absolutely shocking, Hong Myung-Bo must be gone after this even if they go through in 3rd. Feel like everyone talking about how good Korea were vs Czechia is part of some massive psy-op specifically to trick me for not watching it, because I was expecting a lot better than the dross I've sat through the last 2 Korea games.
Scotland another victim of trying to get League One level players to play out from the back. Teams will never learn.
Today's Games, which should be at 1, 4, and 7 if I was king: 4pm: Ecuador-Germany & Ivory Coast-Curacao: Germany has nothing to play for, Ecuador needs a win or they're going home. A win guarantees Ivory Coast is 2nd, and a draw may be enough for second depending on what Ecuador can do vs Germany. Ivory Coast could be through with a "respectable" 1-0 or 2-0 loss depending on how that third place placing shakes out. A win guarantees Curacao the knockouts (and again, maybe 2nd depending on what Ecuador can do vs Germany), but a draw/loss sends them home. 7pm: Tunisia-Netherlands & Japan-Sweden: Japan and Netherlands are in a battle for 1st (a date with Morocco) to avoid being 2nd (a date with Brazil), so these two matches should be blockbuster as Sweden also still has an outside chance at winning the group should they win and the Dutch draw. 3rd place has a bunch of potential landing spots (Switzerland, Mexico, or the winner of France/Norway), and none of those look particularly appetizing anyway. Sweden should be through as long as they don't get absolutely pummeled. Tunisia is eliminated with nothing to play for. 10pm Paraguay-Australia: A win by either guarantees second and a R32 match vs another second place team (from Egypt/Iran/Belgium/New Zealand). A draw gives Australia 2nd with Paraguay going through in 3rd. 3rd place is most likely playing Germany, the winner of France/Norway, or the winner of Colombia/Portugal, so definitely expect this one to be full throttle. If Paraguay loses, they'll be on the same GD tightrope that Scotland is in the third place table. If Australia loses by 2-0 or less, they should be through. USA-Turkiye is the ultimate dead rubber where neither team has anything to play for. US just needs to protect its starters on a yellow and avoid injury.
I think Yan Diomande could introduce himself to the world big time tonight if he turns up. If he really wants a move to a club like Liverpool to "replace Salah" then he needs to grab games like tonight by the proverbial neck.
just met a guy on the elevator at work who said he's going to the Japan/Sweden game tonight. I asked how much he spent on tickets. Just casually $1300 each ... also said he doesn't watch soccer lol
I only watch World Cup and went to the Norway/Senegal match Monday. Was an experience like no other. I've been to so many baseball and football games (both playoff stage, never final) and it doesn't even compare.
Funny how U.S. visa rejections were treated as proof that America is an irredeemable dystopia that shouldn't be allowed to host the World Cup. Then Canada rejects more than half of all World Cup visitor applications and suddenly everyone remembers that immigration systems are complicated. Canada rejected more than half of all World Cup visitor applications
We were a disgrace last night v Brazil. Watched it in Belgium and god we are so depressing. Steve Clarke took the huff after as well being pissy with the media but at least he's nailed one thing right when he said we're going home.