The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Thread

If France keep playing like that, they have a chance to win.

 

The defence needs to improve though

 

Okay, first day in, let's see how we fared at pradicting the events:
Full two points to: AdrienIer, caketastydelish, Ferocitus, Rik Meleet, Serutan, Turquoiside. Felicitations!
A single point for: Azale, BirraImperial, Ozbenno, raen, Snerk, Sofista, Takhisis, ThERat, Timsup2nothin and Uberfrog.
red_elk and shadowplaypicked the wrong horses, but as mentioned, these two games were the most expected to go either way. For chronichle's sake, CFC forums overall vote predicted events correctly.

France-Argentina sure delivered. What a match! Di Maria resurrected, back and forth action, France playing with class and spirit. I loved it.
I had expected the best striker around (arguably; this is not the place) to overcome the thus far best defence, and I was wrong. It seemed to me that Portugal didn't make the best use of its star player, insisting on maneuvered play - all those short corner kicks, as if they were playing against supertaall Scandinavians, what was the point? Good luck to Uruguay, Cavani & Suarez were on fire. Let's hope Cavani is not out of the tournament.

 

If It’s not too late. I would like to change my prediction to Switzerland wins over Sweden.

 

Well of course. As long as a game hasn't started, you can "place your bets" as you see fit.

 

Thanks!

 

And Uruguay deliverrrr! Even if I forgot to put on my Suarez avatar which I keep for special occasions.

In-bloody-deed. Brazil beat Serbia only because the Serbs showed the same weaknesses they showed against the Swiss. This Brazil is Neymar-dependent, so if Mexico can annul him in the same way they did the Germans or Uruguay the way they did with Ronaldo then they are toast.
*Or Belgium, of course, whom everybody sees as beating Japan.

A lot of individual talents with a very badly run FA taking advantage of them (they've taken more passengers of their own as free riders than players and coaching staff), no psychological support, a coach that is wasted on them (he has won trophies at club and national level already) because the players refuse to obey him, and a bunch of supporters who are so tirumphalist they wouldn't even stay until the end of the match.

I wonder how France can fare against a seriously run team that is not a) giddy with playing their first cup in three decades or b) really willing to play for a 0-0.

 

Updated tally!

ALREADY PLAYED

France 10
vs Argentina 8

Uruguay 10
vs Portugal 7

----- STILL TAKING BETS

Spain 13
vs Russia 4

Croatia 16
vs Denmark 1 snerk = traitor

Brazil 13
vs Mexico 4

Belgium 16
vs Japan 1

Sweden 13
vs Switzerland 4

Colombia 6
vs England 11

 

Two great games indeed. I was pretty impressed with France. It will be very interesting to see them play the strong defense of Uruguay. I liked the French attitude of not play acting, very nice change. If Neymar is out, the tournament will be rid of the worst. I am still hoping for a Belgium - Croatia final though, let's have a new winner

 

Portugal was like other teams in first round, attacking attacking but Uruguai was plainly efficient!

 

Hello Kitty disagrees!

 

who saw that coming? well, 4 of us

 

What a terrible end to the weekend.

 

Reminded me Germany vs South Korea. All the possession/control/shots in the world are meaningless if you fail to capitalize.

 

Man there's nobody left in that half worth supporting now

 

Oh holy.... that was close.
Awesome job by Akinfeev!
And the guy with ordinary Russian name Mario Fernandez was good too

 

LMAO Spain...Over 1200 passes and couldn't break the Russian defense...I'm happy that Russia pulled it off...

 

Congratulations!! There must be quite a party right now in Moscow!!