2018 World Cup Bracket Challenge

[JFPIV]

The Belgians are firing on all cylinders right now!

[Mr.Right]

That was a fun game to watch. Serbia v Switzerland also was a well played game. If Belgium could defend they could win it all

[blooter442]

Kroos did a thing. That is rough on Sweden.

[JFPIV]

I appreciate the fact that stout defense is Sweden"s standard operating procedure, but after the first goal was scored they should have pressed for the second and put Germany out.

[Falconer]

As it happens I am in Gdansk tonight, and I just watched Poland get squashed by Columbia, 3-0. The winners capitalized on their chances and the losers didn't. The officials let them play, a very physical affair that often wasn't pretty. But two of the goals were gorgeous breakaways--the Poles looked bad in the back. Their fans are devastated. The game rather reminded me of their national history: waves of foreigners overrun them; they gallantly rebuild, only to suffer more of the same. Lewanowski was mugged multiple times, but the Columbian keeper also stoned the Poles twice or it would have been closer.

[Saint of Old]

Columbians are very silky with the ball and calm under pressure.
James' 90th minute dance with the ball in the middle of the pitch illustrated their strength perfectly.
Problem with a team like this, when they get confidence, they are unstoppable.
These guys can do some damage.
The 3rd minute red card in the first game affected them badly, though they also fought hard in that game..

Game on in this group or what.
2 spots, 3 teams chasing it.
Each with their own destiny in own hands.

[blooter442]

Obviously a bit exaggerated, but (almost) what it's like listening to John Strong do World Cup games on FS1. I certainly couldn't do better, and I get why they want to have Americans do the broadcast, and that a number of Americans aren't familiar with the ins and outs of the game. Moreover, I know that Strong does MLS broadcasts, as does that other guy who was doing the Brazil game on Friday, so it's not like they have zero clue about the game in the way that Gus Johnson did when he had that ill-fated UCL announcing gig back in 2013. Either way, I got a laugh out of it.

[blooter442]

Anyone see Vlad during or after the game? Perhaps the Russia furor was a bit premature (fully acknowledging I praised them earlier in these boards).

[Flying Weasel]

What a wild turn of events in extra time of the Spain and Portugal matches--it went from Portugal winning the group by a clear 3 pts to Spain taking the top seed on tie-breakers.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

What a wild turn of events in extra time of the Spain and Portugal matches--it went from Portugal winning the group by a clear 3 pts to Spain taking the top seed on tie-breakers.

Iran had a chance late when they hit the side of the net. Had that gone in then Iran wins with Spain 2nd and Portugal goes from group winner to eliminated in a matter of minutes.

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

The streak is over. 36 games to start the tournament without a scoreless game ends with France-Denmark

[1970s NESCAC Player]

The streak is over. 36 games to start the tournament without a scoreless game ends with France-Denmark

I suspect that we will see several more going forward in group deciding and knockout stage games . . .

[truenorth]

I feel the same way about Argentina as I felt about Germany...they were not impressive and were lucky to get through.  Yes, you could attribute some of their "luck" to experience and overall talent, but some it truly is just luck...

[FCGrizzliesGrad]

So who saw that coming? Sweden handles Mexico 3-0 to win the group while South Korea takes it late to relegate Germany to the bottom. Germany now the 4th defending champion in the last 5 Cups to be knocked out in the group stage.

[JFPIV]

WOW!  First time the Germans have failed to make it out of their group since 1938!