World Cup Day 2 Thread
Thought I'd create a thread for those of us interested in the World Cup. Today's matchups are:
Egypt vs. Uruguay - No Mo Salah and a strong showing from Suarez could make this a tough day for Egypt.
Morocco vs. Iran - No politics and all... having said that, Go Morocco.
Spain vs. Portugal - This is the game of the day, clearly. Will Spain's tiki taka be able to create enough chances for them to score goals? They have arguably the best back 5 in the whole tournament including IMO the best keeper in the world in David De Gea. Of course Portugal have Ronaldo and some weird guys (I kid, I kid...but seriously).
Predictions?
For me:
Uruguay(w) 3-1
Morocco (w) 1 - 0
Spain/Portugal (d) 2 - 2
Let the brutality begin!
You've captured the spirit of the tournament nicely.
I'm guessing Egypt prefers to keep Salah healthy for the remaining two matches against Russia and Saudi. If they lose today but get six points in those two games, they will advance.
The issue becomes if they draw with Russia, or if Russia sneaks in a draw vs Uruguay. Due to Russia's goal differential (+5 after yesterday), they will be in a good place to advance if they finish the table with 4 points.
After that match yesterday, Egypt probably shouldn't be expecting 3 points off of Russia. Not saying they won't get it, but Russia looked considerably better than they have the rest of the year.
They certainly don’t expect it, but they expect to be competitive in that match. Egypt over the last few years have been a better all around team than Russia.
If Salah doesn’t play let’s say, I expect Russia to come out with a win for sure.
I'm not convinced Salah will play in this tournament at all. The talk of him being "100%" the other day was obvious nonsense.
First 30 min from Uruguay has been pretty uninspiring. You'd think with Suarez and Cavani that they'd be able to create some more dangerous chances. So far though there's been a lot of bombs from 25-30 yards and a long sends deep into the corners that have proven to be unfruitful.
To Egypt's credit, they are playing disciplined, compact defense and are making life difficult for Uruguay.
Well, yeah, that's the only path forward for them. Personally I hate this as it slows the game down and turns it into a slog, but it's the strategy that will work for them,hoping for that Uruguay goal to crack the game open.
I hope one team scores more than 1 goal.
Really?
Have you never watched soccer?
That good part about the World Cup is that it brings in the casual fan. The bad part about the World Cup is that it brings in the casual fan.
Hope Egypt subs Salah early in the half. Egypt has a chance to steal this one. Uruguay has been the opposite of clinical in the final third.
I really hope Salah can come in. He can open up this game for Egypt.
Suarez is probably still pissed at himself for missing from such short range on that corner kick. If Egypt plays that sloppy on D one more time, Suarez or Cavani will capitalize.
I have been really impressed with Egypt's D so far. Very disciplined. There's an opportunity to steal a point in the last 30 min if they play their cards right. Maybe Salah for the last 15-20 min?
I just have a feeling Egypt is going to get a goal soon, on a counter. Both teams are playing good D!
nevermind... Goal Uruguayoff a corner!
That felt inevitable. The Egypt D has been game but it's been under siege much of the last 10 minutes.
Yeah, when the goalpost becomes your best defender, the goal is coming.
Absolute heart breaker for Egypt.
Cavani was a beast today, Suarez completely looked out of sorts. I really hope Salah can play and start in the next 2 games. He looked so sad on the bench. Today is his birthday too.
I have my doubts about his health. His injury two weeks ago looked gruesome. I thought then that he was lost for the WC. I've been very skeptical of the reports that he somehow has healed in time. I could see him perhaps trying to give it a go in one of these matches but he probably won't be the same player as before.
That was a classic Egyptian breakdown in the last five minutes. Without Salah they tend to start making brutal mistakes at the end of games. In a friendly against Portugal, Salah scored and left the pitch with a 1-0 lead. Ronaldo scored two goals in the last five minutes to win the game.
With that said, they had some good looks on the counter, but needed Salah to capitalize. The keeper played out of his mind. Next game is a must win (obviously) and I hope we can get 90+ from the Egyptian King.
I love the sport and the World Cup in general, but I have found it hard to be as excited as before without the USA in it. How disappointing.
That said, I think once the knockout rounds come I’ll be able to watch a little more intently.
I know what you mean... But I have chosen a new team (Ice Land) for this world cup! HOOOOOO!!! They have a tough group with Argentina,Nigeria and Croatia. Maybe they will make some noise!!
That's funny because I'm the opposite - I love the beginning of the tournament, when the build up is finally released. Very similar to the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Also, they are similar in the group stage/first rounds are when the big upsets can happen. Also, to a casual fan, I like the openers because the announcers teach you about the players and storylines.
On the other hand, after the first 48 games (in both tournaments) I feel fatigued, and the middle rounds bore me as the stakes are not high enough to get excited. The semis and final are finally exciting again.
Go Morocco!!!
Fucking Uruguay.
How am I supposed to get any work done today with these games on?! Spain vs Portugal is going to be fun.
I'm working up a soar throat as we speak. Just kidding. (Just in case my boss frequents the site and knows my user handle).
a soar throat
You're hitting a lot of high notes?
Allergy related, I swear.
That late goal was brutal. I was really pulling for Egypt and that was a pretty fun and interesting game. They would've been in good shape if they pulled out the tie but I'm interested to see how they do with Salah in the line up.
I can't stand Uruguay for some reason. Every player is ugly as hell and Suarez is one dirty m-fer.
I just turned on this Iran vs Morocco game and Iran's passing is brutal. Has it been like this all game?
I think that Morocco player just got a concussion. He did a fencing response after his face hit the turf.
Dude that was scary. I thought he was about to try running back on the pitch too. The commentator was screaming "sit him down!"
Thankfully they subbed him off. That's for sure a brain injury.
Yeah that was scary. After seeing the replay it looked like he might have been knocked out with a shoulder to the jaw before his face hit the ground.
Hope this comment isn’t too weird but man do I love that finally there’s a non-American announcer calling a World Cup game .
So I'm guessing you have never heard of Ian Darke
I definitely have but he’s not calling any matches this WC correct as he’s with ESPN ? I meant like so far in this WC that was the first non-American announcer
I see what you are saying. I thought you were talking about the WC in general and not this one.
Let me ride this stretcher, as soon as i'm off the pitch, i'll hop up and jump around!!! Don't forget to strap me in.
Well, this one's been a snoozefest (injury-fest) so far. Can we get a dramatic finish?
There we go.
An Own goal off a set piece in stoppage time....
Think you got what you wanted.
Holy shit, Iran just stole this one. Wow.
Rather they were gifted a win. Own goal, brutal.
Iran sure did steal that game but it won't matter. Spain and Portugal will both have their way with each of these teams. The real match is about to start in 15 mins. I wonder if they will agree to a "gentleman's draw" today. I expect Spain to win though
I think Spain might have their way with Portugal's central defense.
If that was a gentleman's draw, then everyone should go for it. That was probably the best group play match I've ever watched. Even after Ronaldo scored his third goal, I felt that there was going to be another goal scored (and there nearly was). Such an entertaining match.
I'm looking at Spain to get exploited on the counter attack, in all honesty. They're great at holding onto the ball and playing keep away, but the game bogs down, and teams like Germany can break away so quickly, and win a game 4-0 even though they barely ever touch the ball.