2018 World Cup Gameday 3 - Group Stage
Following up on World Cup 2018 Group Stage...
Brazil drew 1-1 with Switzerland, then needed two 90+ minute goals to avoid a tie with Costa Rica.
Our predicted non qualifier Argentina drew 1-1 with Iceland, and was humiliated by Croatia 3-0.
For those three to qualify, in order of dire straights....
1. Argentina must win vs Nigeria (Nigeria only need a draw to advance) AND hope Iceland does not beat Croatia (locked up group, meaningless game, resting starters).
2. Depending on many different goal differential and scoring scenarios, Germany could back in with a tie or win vs S. Korea and some help. Only a +2 goal win vs S. Korea guarantees qualification for the defending champs.
3. Brazil need a win or draw vs Serbia, but could still back in with a loss, if Costa Rica wins vs Switzerland.
Other Natterings... Plucky Serbia had matters in hand, but ran out of gas vs Switzerland. The refs and video tech did not help, as with a clean cross headed towards him, Serb scoring machine Mitrovich was obviously mugged in broad daylight, preventing a Serbian goal.
In the photo above (for obvious reasons, FIFA have banned video on this one, good luck finding it.) with a cross en route, Mitrovich is tackled American football style by two Swiss defenders in the box, with no kick awarded?
Blue Swede also had matters in hand, but played out the stretch with a man advantage in uber conservative fashion. Again, the refs and video tech did not help, as Berg was pushed and run over by Boateng (issued two yellows later in game) just before he took a shot inside Germany’s penalty area.
As the video clearly shows, Boateng's obvious foul should have drawn at least a penalty shot, and with a yellow perhaps an even earlier exit from the game?
In the case of both Sweden and Serbia, even with the best of intentions and technology, FIFA employees and officials have somehow once again, managed to decide the game on the pitch.
More Nattering... France, Portugal and Spain all playing possum, by only doing the minimum to win matches. If not both the latter squads, at least one should wind up in the final. Again our hint: think Iberian.
Japan, Nigeria and Senegal have been pleasant surprises with solid hopes of advancing. Columbia is a question mark as anyone could look great against Poland, who have self destructed.
Meanwhile Croatia, Belgium and England all looking strong. Speaking of strong or not so much, how weak is Group A? Feeble Uruguay would not have made it out of any other group. Along those lines, Ne pizdi? or party over dude...
Group A winner apparent, host Russia (who did not have to qualify) pounded the poor crippled sisters of the elderly viz. Saudi Arabia 5-0 and Egypt 3-1, and thus should be a one and done at the hands of a real team viz. either Portugal or Spain. Just sayin.
Moving West... Following are our revised group stage qualifiers to the knockout round with original picks in parentheses.
1st Round
1A Russia
2B Portugal
vs.
1C France
2D Nigeria (Iceland)
1B Spain
2A Uruguay
vs
1D Croatia
2C Denmark
1E Brazil
2F Germany
vs
1G Belgium
2H Senegal (Colombia)
1F Mexico
2E Switzerland (Serbia)
vs
1H Japan (Poland)
2G England
Given our original picks, we are hoping for 75% accuracy. As for knockout round Group of 16 predictions, more to come this Friday, stay tuned, no flippin.
Upsets? What if somebody told you Argentina, Brazil and Germany, might not qualify for the knockout round? Crazy? Not so fast Joe...
Argentina have an uphill battle (Iceland, Croatia), making Messi's squad my first "upset" non qualifier.
If Germany (Mexico, S. Korea, Sweden) and Brazil (Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia) read their press clippings and don't wake up fast, both are also in for rude surprises.
At this point, who do we think will make the final? None of the three mentioned above. Hint: think jambon, manchego, vino tinto, tapas, UEFA Champions League and Iberian. TBD.Not so shocking, as Germany lost their opener to Mexico 1-0; then came back from down 1-0, while playing with 10 men late to beat Sweden 2-1 with a goal at 94:42.
Brazil drew 1-1 with Switzerland, then needed two 90+ minute goals to avoid a tie with Costa Rica.
Our predicted non qualifier Argentina drew 1-1 with Iceland, and was humiliated by Croatia 3-0.
For those three to qualify, in order of dire straights....
1. Argentina must win vs Nigeria (Nigeria only need a draw to advance) AND hope Iceland does not beat Croatia (locked up group, meaningless game, resting starters).
2. Depending on many different goal differential and scoring scenarios, Germany could back in with a tie or win vs S. Korea and some help. Only a +2 goal win vs S. Korea guarantees qualification for the defending champs.
3. Brazil need a win or draw vs Serbia, but could still back in with a loss, if Costa Rica wins vs Switzerland.
Other Natterings... Plucky Serbia had matters in hand, but ran out of gas vs Switzerland. The refs and video tech did not help, as with a clean cross headed towards him, Serb scoring machine Mitrovich was obviously mugged in broad daylight, preventing a Serbian goal.
Blue Swede also had matters in hand, but played out the stretch with a man advantage in uber conservative fashion. Again, the refs and video tech did not help, as Berg was pushed and run over by Boateng (issued two yellows later in game) just before he took a shot inside Germany’s penalty area.
As the video clearly shows, Boateng's obvious foul should have drawn at least a penalty shot, and with a yellow perhaps an even earlier exit from the game?
In the case of both Sweden and Serbia, even with the best of intentions and technology, FIFA employees and officials have somehow once again, managed to decide the game on the pitch.
More Nattering... France, Portugal and Spain all playing possum, by only doing the minimum to win matches. If not both the latter squads, at least one should wind up in the final. Again our hint: think Iberian.
Japan, Nigeria and Senegal have been pleasant surprises with solid hopes of advancing. Columbia is a question mark as anyone could look great against Poland, who have self destructed.
Meanwhile Croatia, Belgium and England all looking strong. Speaking of strong or not so much, how weak is Group A? Feeble Uruguay would not have made it out of any other group. Along those lines, Ne pizdi? or party over dude...
Group A winner apparent, host Russia (who did not have to qualify) pounded the poor crippled sisters of the elderly viz. Saudi Arabia 5-0 and Egypt 3-1, and thus should be a one and done at the hands of a real team viz. either Portugal or Spain. Just sayin.
Moving West... Following are our revised group stage qualifiers to the knockout round with original picks in parentheses.
1st Round
1A Russia
2B Portugal
vs.
1C France
2D Nigeria (Iceland)
1B Spain
2A Uruguay
vs
1D Croatia
2C Denmark
1E Brazil
2F Germany
vs
1G Belgium
2H Senegal (Colombia)
1F Mexico
2E Switzerland (Serbia)
vs
1H Japan (Poland)
2G England
Given our original picks, we are hoping for 75% accuracy. As for knockout round Group of 16 predictions, more to come this Friday, stay tuned, no flippin.
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