FIFA World Cup 2018

[Buzz]

There is a Serb playing with a cast on his arm?!

 

[SamuraiK]

So Sweden vs Switzerland in the round of 16. These will be good for latin american audiences to finally understand they are 2 different countries (their names sound quite similar in spanish)

Brazil vs Mexico is going to be intense!!

 

[Buzz]

How could I not love this sport?! Every guy on the field is young, fit and good looking, including the refs!

 

[Ananas Astra]

The best part of the GER-KOR match was topless Mats Hummels giving an interview after the historic loss.

 

[skatefan]

Germany 0 South Korea 2 and both times the South Korean player had time to line up the ball before shooting

 

[Lilia A]

Actually its 2010 and 2014 all over again also.. 4 of the past 5 reigning champions were eliminated in the first round at the next cup. Its a curse now.

OMG you're right. I totally forgot. I guess 2002 sticks out the most because my brother kept hyping France so much and thought they were going to win. I still remember Senegal beating them and going "well, I guess not."

 

[Vagabond]

The Curse. It isn't just for Canadian Men's Figure Skating World Champions any more!

 

[SHARPIE]

https://www.facebook.com/901642666638807/posts/1236721439797593/

 

[Lorac]

Well the last group games that can alter who goes through to the last 16 - any one of Japan, Senegal or Colombia - are about to start. Currently Japan and Senegal are in the qualifying places. Japan face off with Poland and should progress unless they lose to Poland big time and the other game is a draw!! The other game is Senegal and Colombia, a draw ensures Senegal progress but is not what Colombia really need - they need a win to ensure progression though as I have stated if Japan lose big to Poland then a draw may be enough. I'm watching the Senegal Colombia match as this should be more exciting!!

 

[Deleted member 40371]

I want Japan, Senegal and Colombia to qualify

 

[Lorac]

VAR decides no penalty for Senegal - I agree - it was an excellent tackle!!

 

[SamuraiK]

I want Japan, Senegal and Colombia to qualify

Me too . They have shown to be much better than teams like Denmark or Switzerland but one will have to leave

 

[Lorac]

I was wrong - Japan only have to lose for Senegal and Colombia to go through if they draw - and Japan are 1-0 down to Poland - so Senegal are currently top and Colombia 2nd!!

 

[Lorac]

Now Colombia score and that pushes Senegal down to 3rd spot - did not see that happening as Senegal had chances in the 1st half!! Colombia now top and Japan now 2nd based purely on less yellows than Senegal!! These last 10 minutes are going to be intense!!

 

[Lara]

Please stay this way!

 

[Lorac]

The Japanese bench have to have got the info out to their guys to not get any silly cards now or concede a 2nd goal!! But if fair play rule wasn't there it would be a lot draw and that would be an awful way to go home.

 

[Lorac]

Apparently the Poland Japan game is turning into a 'let's just pass the ball around and not go for goal' game!! Could backfire on Japan is Senegal squeak out a goal!!

 

[Lorac]

So Senegal go home - I was expecting them to go through as group winners !!

Japan go through because they got less yellows than Senegal - but apparently that end of the Japan Poland game was a farce with no running and just passing around - some of the players were even having a stretch during play

 

[Lara]

So Senegal go home - I was expecting them to go through as group winners !!

Japan go through because they got less yellows than Senegal - but apparently that end of the Japan Poland game was a farce with no running and juts passing around - some of the players were even having a stretch during play

Definitely a meh end, yes - not wanting to risk a yellow must have been a big reason. Lucky for Japan Senegal couldn’t score - tough for them to not advance when they were tied on points. But congrats to Colombia and Japan, they did what was needed.

 

[oleada]

??

Yerry Mina has been HUGE for us - we needed that goal! Not our best match by any means but I’ll take it! After this, anything is gravy.

I feel bad for Senegal

 

[Lorac]

Interesting - England are making 8 - yes 8 - changes for the Belgium game. I suppose knowing you're through allows you to do that - and not being too concerned about finishing 1st or 2nd!! And I hear Belgium are also making several changes as well! I reckon neither wants to win and possibly face Brazil in the quarters if they win their round of 16 match

So the last 16 are confirmed - just need to know who tops group G. Now the tournament really starts as only wins count!!

 

[SamuraiK]

The last 20 minutes of the POL-JPN match was pathetic. Japan gambled big time and just decided to pass the ball in their area, already eliminated Poland didnt bother either. Such speculation should have been given a yellow card so Senegal who actually played until the end could qualify. A shame.

 

[allezfred]

Thanks Colombia!

Japan played a really risky game at the end.

 

[Lorac]

And Belgium are making 9 changes - so it is clear that neither manager is too bothered to win and much prefer finishing 2nd - the question is how bad will the game be and will we see some silly fouls to ensure if it's a draw the winner is the team with the least yellows. Heck maybe one of the team - and I apply this to either team - is prepared to get a red to ensure a 2nd place finish

 

[oleada]

Thanks Colombia!

Japan played a really risky game at the end.

Latin American- Asian partnership continues.

Where are the Japanese fans lifting us and offering us sake???

 

[Coco]

A thousand depressions that we don't get to see the Senegalese coach again.

 

[SamuraiK]

And Belgium are making 9 changes - so it is clear that neither manager is too bothered to win and much prefer finishing 2nd - the question is how bad will the game be and will we see some silly fouls to ensure if it's a draw the winner is the team with the least yellows. Heck maybe one of the team - and I apply this to either team - is prepared to get a red to ensure a 2nd place finish

Its not so much about finishing 2nd or 1st to pick a lesser rival but giving your top players some rest. World Cup has a very tight schedule and if you qualified for knock out round early is the only time they can get a rest plus a golden chance for the reserves to shine and contribute. Big teams like ENG go to win no matter who they face next.

 

[Lorac]

England Belgium so far 0-0 - Belgium have had the better chances but possession is more or less equal - and Belgium have a 4th make that 5th yellow!! England sending subs up and down the touch line keeping warm!!

 

[Lorac]

A smidgen of pass the football is going on here. Neither team going for the all out win - just taking a chance when/if it appears. And no injury time either at the end of that 1st half.

ETA: Just saw an England flag behind the goal with 'Fordhouses-Wolves' on it - my place of birth and team

 

[Buzz]

In the other game Panama leads 1-0