World Cup 2018

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Costa Rica v Serbia, really end to end stuff. Great to watch.

[Ewood Ace]

20 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Real Madrid had a poor league campaign, but generally this past decade, they and Barca have demolished teams repeatedly, particularly at home. Both Messi and Ronaldo have cashed in. 



And they have done in Europe as well winning 7 of the last 10 Champions Leagues between them. It not that  La Liga is a weak league it is that they are the best two teams in the world with the best two players, do you really think it would be any different if they played in the premier league?

[Mattyblue]

Yes, because the top teams in England don’t win 10 home games a season 4/5/6/7 nil.

Europe shows that Barca and Real are top teams and Messi/Ronaldo are two of the greatest of all time, however I don’t see how folk can argue that their scoring records are not skewed by the bottom half clubs that roll up to the Nou Camp and get slaughtered year in year out.

Edited June 17, 2018 by Mattyblue

[Husky]

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

And they have done in Europe as well winning 7 of the last 10 Champions Leagues between them. It not that  La Liga is a weak league it is that they are the best two teams in the world with the best two players, do you really think it would be any different if they played in the premier league?

Don;t forget Sevilla and Atletico seem to have done pretty well in 'that other European competition' in recent times.

[Ewood Ace]

5 minutes ago, Husky said:

Don;t forget Sevilla and Atletico seem to have done pretty well in 'that other European competition' in recent times.

Not just the Europa league but the Champions League as well Athletico 2 finals and a semi final in the last 5 seasons & Sevilla who finished 7th in Spain this year  knocked the 2nd placed team in England out

[roversfan99]

9 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Yes, because the top teams in England don’t win 10 home games a season 4/5/6/7 nil.

Europe shows that Barca and Real are top teams and Messi/Ronaldo are two of the greatest of all time, however I don’t see how folk can argue that their scoring records are not skewed by the bottom half clubs that roll up to the Nou Camp and get slaughtered year in year out.

To be fair, City won 5-0, 6-0, 5-0, 7-2, 4-0, 4-0, 5-1 and 5-0 last season.

At least you are putting them together. I dont understand the argument being aimed only at Messi. Ronaldo scored 4, 5, 9, 17, 31 and 18 in his time at United. In the 9 seasons hes had in La Liga, hes never scored less than 25, yet people seem to use the fact that he played in England to suggest that he was/would be equally effective here, something that hasnt been stastically proven.

[Husky]

Serbia are finishing like a team that could lose 1-0.

[Husky]

LOL! GOLAZO!

 

Better than Ronaldo!

Edited June 17, 2018 by Husky

[K-Hod]

Costa Rica similar to Peru yesterday for me, lots of good build up play, but lacking that cutting edge. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Can I just say I think the referees have been excellent so far.

[Audax]

Early 2000s, Valencia was very good too and vying for the Champions League and they won some La Liga titles:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Spanish_football_champions

As soon as Maradona got into La Liga back in the early '80s, it is famous that some player broke his leg. So, that made it sound rough.

There's no way, I'd underestimate the Spanish league, if it is weaker top to bottom, I doubt if it is that much weaker, just a little bit.

 

[roversfan99]

I suggested Serbia before as an underdog, they have a really nice balance to their side. Matic and Milojevic brilliant in the engine room, Mitrovic needs to be more clinical but his link-up with the star of the team, Milinkovic-Savic was absolutely terrific, and the 2 wide men were a threat too, Tadic far more influential for his country. Experienced in defence too, only problem is Stojkovic in the net.

Really enjoyed watching them.

[Audax]

One could also say, this World Cup has been good for the countries of the Former Yugoslavia (Croatia, Serbia) and the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, I"m not sure if Iceland is officially Scandinavian, they lean that way).

Africa countries then, are 0-3. Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt.

Asia, Iran played and won.  The Saudis were embarassed.

CONCACAF, Costa Rica lost.

CONMEBOL, we have Argentina drawing, Peru losing.

I may be missing some, yes, the European teams all seem to be winning.

Iceland wins 1-1 versus Argentina... that joke has made the rounds.

 

Edited June 17, 2018 by Audax

[philipl]

Suddenly struck me after arriving at the local World Cup village (out door boozer and big screen) after the Serbian goal was scored that I have seen bits of every game live thus far but not seen a single goal scored live yet.

I am not planning to watch all of England v Tunisia live you will be relieved to know.

 

[Audax]

5 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I've always liked Peru. I think it might be the shirt, it's unique. I was watching highlights of Peru v Scotland 1978 yesterday on the Internet. What a player Teofilo Cubillas was, he scored two fantastic goals in that game. The first one was an absolute rocket into the top corner, the second was a free kick using a technique I've never seen another player use.

Yes, I've been aware of Cubillas.  For awhile, I had videos of a number of random historic football games,  there was one from the '78 World Cup, now I think it was maybe Poland Tunisia and not one of the Peru games.

 

[Husky]

Any hope for Mexico?

[Audax]

Chicharito,

I think MXC has a chance, more likely, a chance at a draw. Germany are overwhelming favourites. Mexico has played well here. They always come up against the big boys.

 

[Audax]

In 1990, Colombia drew eventual WC champions, Germany, I think that could happen.

That Ochoa seems to be a good GK. Mexico certainly has the players.

Edited June 17, 2018 by Audax

[Husky]

It seems Mexico are really missing someone that can put their foot through the ball.

All buzz and no sting so far.

 

HAHHAHAHAH! Right on queue. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL!

Edited June 17, 2018 by Husky

[Audax]

MEXICO GOL!! Hoo Yah

[Audax]

They've been outrunning the Germans, Germany looks a bit stodgy at the moment....Mexico was knocking on the door quite a while, Layun kicked two free kicks over the top... I'm not sure if Germany is going to come back here.

Edited June 17, 2018 by Audax

[Blow-in]

5 hours ago, scotchrover said:

So why can’t he do it for country then, if he’s so world class? 

He single handedly got Argentina to this world cup and he got them to the last finals. There has been non stop crying on this site about the nasty sergio ramos messi has destroyed him. Diego someone's athletico have got to be the toughest team in the champions league. 

The physicality of the premier league is overstated. Its fast of that there is no doubt but 60 to 70 percent of players in a premier league game are not even British so what does it matter where the league is.

[Tom]

Great game this Mexico look good.

Oh and Messi and Ronaldo are both phenomenal players, the player of a generation, we just got two at once.

[Ewood Ace]

This world cup has already been better than the last 2 combined .

[Audax]

Germany has had some dangerous attacks as well, at least, that's how I saw it. Exciting game.