In Russia, World Cups YOU!: World Cup 2018 Thread

[Zef]

Originally Posted by Kirin

I'll be back on Sunday for Germany vs Mexico though.

Mexico's team alignment against Germany has been leaked!

[Issun]

[Issun]

And just like that Denmark has a chance to make it out of the group stage for the first time since 2002.

[Issun]

I find it telling that all the talk about teams not making it this year is about the U.S. and Italy and even Chile but not a word for Ghana.

[Positronic Brain]

Looking forward to Mexico playing like never before and losing like they always do against Germany later today.

[Kirin]

Actually watching this one live. So far it's been a lot of Mexico missing shots and Germany sending them straight to the goalie. Couple great saves from Neuer though.

[Kirin]

The Telemundo stream just cut out wtf...

(It came back)





......... oy.

[Positronic Brain]

Figures! Mexico won because I couldn't watch the game.

[Zef]

Welp. Today's definitely a Good Futbol day. Brazil and Switzerland tie at 1s, and Mexico's winning goal against Germany rocked the earth itself.


https://twitter.com/WorIdCupFC/statu...23878144745473

[Positronic Brain]

Originally Posted by Zef

Welp. Today's definitely a Good Futbol day. Brazil and Switzerland tie at 1s,

A Brazil win would have been better, as Mexico now has a real chance of being first of its group. We have used all our luck in this match, we definitively don't want to run into the cariocas in the next round...

[Issun]

Hirving Lozano is a very bad man.

[Issun]

I had an inclination before the Cup started to favor Belgium as world champion, but started to lean more towards an Iberian team as things ramped up.

I'm back towards considering Skut Farkus De Bruyne and his fellow Flems the favorites.

[Zef]

From @suekichiii's Twitter:





Most Mexican media is reporting on the 2-1 win with multiple variations of Captain Tsubasa TV stills and artwork.

[Kirin]

Yeah, I'm kind of sad the game was too early for me to actually watch from the beginning, looked exciting. Glad Freddy and Bruce had fun.

[Issun]

I don't think this is how Lionel Messi was expecting his final WC to go down.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by Issun

I don't think this is how Lionel Messi was expecting his final WC to go down.

Down the WC?

But yeah, Argentinian Twitter is just yikes right now. About the only printable insult I've come across --and one I'll be swiping for future use-- is "you goddamn ashtray of hormones."

[Positronic Brain]

The Spanish media's analysis is kinda like "man fails to single-handedly win a game played against 11". I didn't watch the game, but apparently the entire Argentinian strategy was basically hope Messi would pull off a miracle. True/false?

[Zef]

Welp, pending a Swedish win/tie, Korea is out (despite their downright hostile tactics against Mexico). Germany is currently fighting for survival, and Sweden is fighting for second place. With current standings, if Sweden wins 2-1, they'll tie Mexico for points, but will be down by 1 goal (as of 3:307 EST). If they lose, then it'll be a right mess of goal differences up to Group F's final matches, since SWE could still beat Mexico and GER could beat KOR and the three teams would be fighting for GDs.

Between this upset and Argentina's boneheaded first and third GAs from Croatia, and Brazil's literal last-minute win, this is feels very much like a Little Guy World Cup and nearly anything can happen.

EDIT: It's gonna be a right mess of goal differences on Wednesday!

[Kirin]

Holy crap that was fucking amazing.

I mean, the match was a mess, Germany should've had five goals if they'd been able to actually finish off their chances, but that last second shot was goddamn fantastic.

[Zef]

I mean, unless Korea decides to go down in flames and basically play rugby on German players (which, given their two previous games, they might), the real nailbiter will be MEX-SWE. Then again, if MEX/SWE/GER end up tied at 6, Sweden will need to beat Mexico 3-0 to defeat the GD and eliminate them from the group.

Does anyone have the Fair Play stats for Group F handy?

[Kirin]

I've just realized that Telemundo's week of free streams is expiring, so I'm gonna have to see if some place in town is gonna be open at 10am on Wednesday and wants to put on the Germany game. :/

[Issun]

I'm still upset over the dearth of Sub-Saharan teams in this cup. No Ghana, Cameroon or Cote D'Ivorie.

[The Raider Dr. Jones]

Originally Posted by Kirin

I've just realized that Telemundo's week of free streams is expiring, so I'm gonna have to see if some place in town is gonna be open at 10am on Wednesday and wants to put on the Germany game. :/

Last I checked your best bet for that sorta deal is Italian Pizzeria III in Chapel Hill.

[Zef]

If you still have cable (which, admittedly, is no longer something I'd assume of most people) the Telemundo app would still let you watch the games by registering your provider.

Otherwise, http://time.com/money/5310446/watch-...p-online-free/

[Zef]

Holy crap, England!

...holy crap, Panama

Colombia's back in the game, and can conceivably advance if they defeat Senegal on Thursday. That'd be nice for Colombian fans, but if my math is right, Japan is only knocked out if they lose against Poland, then COL/SEN ties. COL beating SEN with a JPN loss would come down to the point difference between the latter two, and SEN winning also auto-advances JPN.

England and Belgium are auto-advancing. Panama and Tunisia don't have enough points to make a difference anymore.

On that note, the current LatAm teams after the second round of the group phase:



Source

Costa Rica: "Dibs on the window seat."

Mexico: "Whaddaya mean I haven't advanced yet?"

Colombia: "We're back!"

Argentina praying is right: a win over Nigeria on Tuesday would leave them at 4 points, but Iceland winning over Croatia would also put them at 4, and Iceland has a better GD. So Argentina would need a HUGE win, at LEAST 3-0, and pray that Iceland gets 1-0 or worse against Croatia.

Brazil's Group E is almost the same as Japan's Group H: same point standings, but Brazil is better positioned thanks to a better GD. Switzerland is unlikely to lose against Costa Rica, so Brazil can almost afford to lose if the GD against Switzerland remains the same.

For tomorrow's matches:

Saudi Arabia/Egypt and Uruguay/Russia are just formalities, as the first pair is already out with zero points and the second one is tied at 6 points. At best, they'd be playing for GDs and Round of 16 matchups. There's no definition of Round of 16 positions yet, so Uruguay and Russia will probably play a safe game to avoid any injuries or expulsions.

Group B stands the same as Group H: Morocco is out, but Spain and Portugal are tied so Iran still has a chance. So if Iran ties and Spain loses, they'll fight for GDs, and Portugal winning auto-advances Spain regardless of Spain's outcome. That makes Iran/Portugal the more interesting one to watch since it defines Group B's final standings.

[Issun]

Colombia's a fun team, but I wouldn't mind if Senegal advances. Anyways, Go Mexico! Neighbors to the south FTW!

[Zef]

Originally Posted by Zef

Group B stands the same as Group H: Morocco is out, but Spain and Portugal are tied so Iran still has a chance. So if Iran ties and Spain loses, they'll fight for GDs, and Portugal winning auto-advances Spain regardless of Spain's outcome. That makes Iran/Portugal the more interesting one to watch since it defines Group B's final standings.

Well, Spain and Portugal tied their games and now advance to the Round of 16, same as Uruguay and Russia did this morning. Portugal BARELY missed defeat and, honestly, Iran deserved it more.

[The Raider Dr. Jones]

Originally Posted by Ample Vigour

Group D is some wild shit. Croatia with a dominating lead and Argentina in the basement?

Anyway, U boj, u boj, za narod svoj!

[Kirin]

Originally Posted by Zef

If you still have cable (which, admittedly, is no longer something I'd assume of most people) the Telemundo app would still let you watch the games by registering your provider.

Otherwise, http://time.com/money/5310446/watch-...p-online-free/

Just realized my response to this got lost in the aborted upgrade - I do not have cable, or any other relevant paid media subscription. And that article’s definition of “free” is pretty loose, with most options either requiring a login or signing up for some trial week that you have to remember to cancel...

[Zef]

Well!



Praying works! Even though neither game was one for the faint of heart. I do feel bad for Nigeria, though :/ Senegal now carries the hopes for the whole continent.

Now to pray for tomorrow's game... And I just realized, if Mexico beats Sweden (decent odds of that), and of South Korea pulls a miraculous +2 victory over Germany, they can STILL qualify for R16