The Russia 2018 World Cup Thread

Monday June 18th Results

Group F : South Korea 0-1 Sweden

Sweden played in their usual dogged style to grind out a win against South Korea. The winner coming from yet another penalty in this Wotld Cup. Unexpectedly captain Andreas Granqvist took and scored the winning penalty. South Korea were rather flat and disappointing.

Group G : Belgium 3-0 Panama

A rather lifeless performance from Belgium in the first half was followed early in the second half by a pinpoint volleyed goal by Dries Mertens. Romelu Lukaku netted a brace after that as Panama began to look out of their depth. One of the outstanding players of this season in Europe, Kevin De Bruyne, however seemed rather frustrated in this game.

Group G : England 2-1 Tunisia

A game that was never in doubt. I will refrain from commenting on certain aspects of the game that allowed Tunisia to equalize. England started brightly and deservedly took the lead. They also wasted a number of decent chances. Tunisia showed absolutely no ambition in the 2nd half and resorted to time wasting . That tactic ultimately backfired when Harry Kane popped up at the back post with England's second and winning goal in added on time.

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Results, just about, went as expected today


Tomorrow there are three more fixtures to enjoy.

Group A

Russia v Egypt

Group H

Colombia v Japan
Poland v Senegal

thanks for updates

its amazingly hard to get scores on the internet. the sites are full of misdirection and popup videos and its hard to get basic info.

I did one search and it said 'CBS Sports for World Cup Scores' and I went there. all sorts of stuff but almost nothing about the WC.

originally posted by: mirageman

originally posted by: szino9
a reply to: BeefNoMeat


No, you only have 3 subs no matter what. Exception on friendly games where I believe you sub as many as you want.:

A 4th sub is permitted in extra time in this World Cup. Friendlies are limited to 6 subs.

Good info, I wasn't aware. Thanks!

a reply to: ElGoobero


Try the FIFA official site

www.fifa.com...

Thanks for the thread man. I'm not following but have an interest. Seems like there's a lot more parity. Coincidentally my grandson was captivated by seeing soccer football.

Tuesday June 19th Results

Group A : Russia 3-1 Egypt

The hosts are almost certainly through to the next round after defeating a 2nd arab nation in their group. Only an unlikely Saudi victory over Uruguay can delay that. A bizarre own goal from Ahmed Fathi was followed by goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba to seal the win for Russia. Despite the return of their talisman Mo Salah, who converted a late penalty, Egypt struggled to make a mark on the game and indeed the group. They are almost certainly going home shortly.

Group H : Colombia 1-2 Japan

Within 3 minutes some terrible defending by Colombia saw Carlos Sanchez sent off for illegally handling a Shinji Kagawa shot on goal. Kagawa scored the penalty. But soon after, 10 man, Colombia equalized with a clever Juan Quintero free-kick placed under the jumping Japanese defensive wall. Embarrassingly Japan's keeper Kawashima let it trickle over the goal line. Japan regained the lead, with Osako heading in from a corner kick and took all 3 points.

Group H : Poland 1-2 Senegal

The Africans were much the better side despite the lack of goalmouth action. Senegal took the lead in the first half after a shot from Idrissa Gueye bounced off Polish defender Thiago Cionek. Their decisive goal however was rather controversial. M'Baye Niang was allowed to return to the field of play after treatment for injury. He intercepted a sloppy backpass and beat the onrushing Polish keeper Szczesny to slot home. Krychowiak equalized for Poland late in the second half that ensured a frantic if fruitless pursuit for another goal.

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Summary

I am not convinced that this Russian team are as good as their results make them appear. Their final game against Uruguay now looks unimportant and so may not be as tough a test as expected. Russia will likely then face Spain or Portugal in the next round. Two vastly superior teams.

Japan and Senegal threw Group H wide open with their victories.


Tomorrow there are three more fixtures featuring the second round of games for all the nations involved. If all three games go as expected then we could be waving bye bye to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

Group A

Uruguay v Saudi Arabia

Group B

Portugal v Morocco
Iran v Spain

props to the Japan and Senegal fans for cleaning up after the game

www.thisisinsider.com...

Both teams had reason to celebrate on June 19. After all, Senegal secured an unlikely 2-1 victory over Poland shortly after Japan toppled Colombia by the same score in two separate Group H matches on Tuesday.

But rather than exit the stadium immediately after the final score to celebrate the result at the nearest pub, fans from the winning teams remained amongst the seats long after the final whistle so that they could tidy up after themselves and leave the place as clean as they had found it.

good show people!!!

Wednesday June 20th Results

Group A : Uruguay 1-0 Saudi Arabia

Luis Suarez scored the only goal in a rather insipid game. The Saudis seemed content to see out the game without suffering a heavy defeat. Uruguay, despite their world class frontline, simply did what they had to do to make the last 16. The result also means Russia reach the next round and Egypt and Saudi Arabia are eliminated before they play each other in their last group game.

Group B : Portugal 1-0 Morocco

Another Arab side are on the way home after this defeat to a solitary headed goal by Portugal's talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. Morocco played well enough to earn a draw against a team that are fairly ordinary without Ronaldo. But they were also wasteful when they created goalscoring chances. All Portugal require now is a point against Iran in their final group game to progress (or Morrocco can beat Spain). Nothing would surprise me in this World Cup.

Group H : Spain 1-0 Iran

Iran defended solidly and their timewasting was exceptional in the 1st half against Spain. However Diego Costa, the famous Spaniard from Brazil, struck early in the 2nd half. Despite a spirited fight back from the Iranians, including a disallowed goal and a number of decent chances, they finally left the field in defeat. Unlike Morocco, Iran could still make it to the next round if they can beat Portugal in their last game (although a draw might suffice if Morocco beat Spain).


Overall the games were a bit dull in large parts today.

Tomorrow there are three more fixtures.

Group C

Denmark v Australia
France v Peru

Group D

Argentina v Croatia

a reply to: mirageman

Omg what a goal by modric the goal keeper has football pie all over his shirt.
0_3 Argies are out?.

a reply to: testingtesting

Lionel Messi, Che Guevara, Diego Maradona, General Galtieri, Eva Peron, Guillermo Vilas, Martin Bormann, Ben Marco, Fray Bentos....Your Boys took one hell of a beating.

Imagined commentary from Bjørge Lillelien if he was still alive and a Croatian

You have to be of a certain age and a handful of nationalities to remember what this was all about.

a reply to: mirageman

I just got in from work at 0-1 and just saw the argie goalkeeper error, he is city and helped us win a cup I do feel bad for him but blimey shocking from the Argies, makes the competition better to me in a way though.
Great work in this thread btw cheers.

a reply to: testingtesting

Nice to see the cheat crying in The Stands.

a reply to: testingtesting

Argentina - a team that is mystifyingly something less than the sum of its parts. I'll do an update on the scores later when I've watched the highlights later tonight. But it's been a strange World Cup for sure.

a reply to: alldaylong

Yes the chubby cheater lol.

Thursday June 21st Results

Group C : Australia 1-1 Denmark

A classy goal by Christian Eriksen was cancelled out by a debatable penalty scored by Australia's Mile Jedinak. Maybe things just evened themselves up after the equally controversial decision for France in their first game.

It leaves our Aussie cousins having to beat already eliminated Peru in their final game and also hoping that France can beat Denmark.

Group C : France 1-0 Peru

A first half goal from Kylian Mbappe sent the unlucky South American's home. They had their chances as they did in their first game. But it was not be and France go into the last 16.

Group D : Argentina 0-3 Croatia

Woah! They say the show isn't over until the fat lady sings. But when the fat man in the crowd sheds tears it means trouble.



Argentina seemingly have one of the best squad of players in Russia but are unable to function as a team. Croatia made them look very ordinary and even shambolic at times. Although both teams defences looked shaky early on, Argentina
suffered most with frayed nerves and lost tempers clearly showing.

They aren't out just yet. But if Iceland beat the Nigerians tomorrow then this talented squad will see their potential left unfulfilled and Lionel Messi will probably never win a World Cup.
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Summary

At present the European nations are dominant. Only Germany and Poland have lost. But there are plenty of games left to go and probably plenty more penalty kicks to be be awarded.




Tomorrow there are three more fixtures featuring second group games for all the nations involved.

Group D

Nigeria v Iceland

Group B

Brazil v Costa Rica
Serbia v Switzerland

originally posted by: mirageman
a reply to: testingtesting

Argentina - a team that is mystifyingly something less than the sum of its parts. I'll do an update on the scores later when I've watched the highlights later tonight. But it's been a strange World Cup for sure.

Amidst the fall out from the result, an interview from a while ago resurfaced from Dybala. When asked about playing with Messi he said he struggles with it as Messi is so much better than the rest of them.

Watching the game last night, i could see what he meant. When you see the quality of player they have, there is no way they should be struggling. They fit the team around Messi instead of fitting Messi into the team. That worked with Maradona but those days are long gone - players are so fit and aware now, there are few easy games at that level. The result is Messi cant do his magic and all the other players start to panic.

Good on Croatia though, they were excellent.

Friday June 22nd Results

Group D: Nigeria 2-0 Iceland

Two goals from Nigeria's Ahmed Musa may have saved the African side from an early flight home. Iceland visibly faded as the game wore on. Croatia have already qualified but any one of Nigeria, Iceland and Argentina could still progress through to the last 16 depending on how results in the final group games go.

Group E : Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica

Brazil huffed and they puffed but the could not break Costa Rica down. They were flat for around an hour. Then the chances increased as did the tempo.Another Phil Coutinho goal in added on time broke the deadlock and Neymar sealed 3 points. Costa Rica will now be returning home after their final match against the Swiss.

Group E : Serbia 1-2 Switzerland

Serbia looked in command during the first half of an exciting game. But early in the second half Granit Xhaka made it 1-1. Then in the dying moments Xherdan Shaqiri sliced through Serbia's defence and fired a shot into the Serbian goal.
The Swiss win leaves Brazil needing a point against Serbia. The Swiss needing the same against Costa Rica in the final group game if Brazil don't lose. It gets complicated after that....
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Summary

We wave goodbye to Costa Rica. But otherwise things go down to the wire in Groups D and E. Can Argentina come back from the brink? Will Brazil cope with the tricky Serbians? We aren't even half way into this World Cup yet.



Tomorrow there are three more fixtures featuring second group games for all the nations involved.

Group F

South Korea v Mexico
Germany v Sweden

Group G

Belgium v Tunisia

a reply to: Flavian

It's funny because previously they've claimed Argentina's managers have always tried to slot Messi into their team and never play to his strengths. Now the manager is trying to build a team that plays to his strengths is blaming the other players for not being good enough.

In addition to your observations I think the problem is that there are some big egos in that squad and if you don't massage them correctly the team ethic breaks down and you have certain players playing to make themselves look good.

30 minutes in and it's Germany 0 Sweden1 ....

Are Germany England in disguise ?


First few minutes of the second half it's Germany 1 Sweden1

a reply to: gortex

This is great drama!

Germany has then pinned in their own end. Almost an goal there for the Swiss.

And time marches on!

15+ minuets! Oooohhhhhh!!!