27 minutes ago, Husky said:

I fancy Argentina to beat France in the knock-out stage.

 

I"m looking forward to a Netherlands Italy finals but do see the USA going far in the knockout rounds.

Okay, I rewatched the game, I have to question some things that that Rebic fellow was doing out there and of course, not his fine strike off of the goalkeeper's error.  So, Argentina was a bit peeved with that.

The Clash - Tommy Gun

Obviously....

I agree with DE, first off, let's see Nigeria get a result vs. Iceland, then, a big match for the Super Eagles, Nigeria. Or maybe Iceland go through, may the best teams prevail, Croatia through.... this is why I'm glad we have some extra help officiating, because 2 straight tournaments (just in my humble opinion), the World Cup and last Euro, Croatia got bad deals, at least, as said in the World Cup. You had a real good team going out in the group stage in 2014 because of poor officiating.  Croatia's usually very good.

The Abicleleste is being humiliated....Argentina playing like "animals", dirty rubbish by the Argies...poor sports.

Croatia got a bad deal vs. Brazil in 2014 and there was some sort of deal with them and Portugal and Croatia. I forget.... so, Croatia has come out with wanting to revenge those two poor showings...... Argentina, even without Messi, really should have some sort of decent team.

GOAL

MODRIC

THAT WAS LOVELY

2-0 Yeah, love seeing that..... unbelievable that one was going against the odds if one picked Croatia.....

There's a reason Peru defeats New Zealand but are totally contained vs. France, this just insn't coincidence.  Based on Argentina only drawing Iceland, total respect to Iceland, South America should almost have a spot taken away and given to another team. 

Peru a good run up to the WC, friendly wins vs. Iceland, Scotland, Saudi Arabia and Croatia, one would really thought, they'd do more today.

I gave Peru some credit here, they can't score to save themselves.

I give the winning teams credit too, they aren't winning for no reason at all. 

Another example of the shift in power to the European teams really.

Going Up The Country - Canned Heat

36 year wait for Peru to get back into the World Cup, I don't see them losing, maybe a draw.

Spain Portugal, IMO, was a game for the ages, yet, was only in the group stage, who knows if one would see such a dynamic match in the knock out rounds.....so, I'm just waiting and seeing about these countries.

I think Mexico is a great team, I also think, a team might get way up for one specific game, the problem if you are a "giant killer" and have a let down the next game BUT... they should cruise to the knockout rounds and then, everyone is doing there best.

For so long, when Brazil was so good, there was almost only one team in Europe that could best them, France did it in '98 and '06.... it's almost like people think, good, that team beat the best team out there... now Germany and perhaps others have now defeated the once vaunted champs... not to knock 'em, just history.

The wrestler, Big Van Vader has passed on.

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

And still, Uruguay won it in 1930 and 1954....they might have refused to go in 1934...and 1954, the sport was grown up enough for that to be very impressive. I believe they also went on a dry spell where they have missed quite a few World Cups in even being there.

I did see a headline this morning where some Egyptian fan was saying the Egyptian president should throw the team into jail.

Anyway, if group A plays group B in the round of 16, next round, it seems to me, Russia and Uruguay will likely play Spain and Portugal, so take your pick on that. I guess, Spain is more ferocious at that though the 2 did draw.

Saudis not playing badly, too bad, they gifted them that goal off a set piece.

I would not be as harsh to call Uruguay mediocre but at this juncture on what we've seen from teams so far in the group stage, I'd call them "2nd tier." Not among the 3 or 4 best.  I guess, it's one's standards that decides this. They certainly don't look like a contender.  That doesn't mean that they could still sneak into the semi-finals.

Suarez, Goal off a corner kick. Already, 100 caps for him it sounds like the announcers said.

GK blew it.. the one for Senegal I believe, punched those balls away.

Perhaps these teams are looking to avoid being embarrassed, we can't help but see a better looking Saudi team. They've gotten blown out in the WC by Germany previously, maybe even Spain too.  I say Saudis lose but keep it down to a goal or two deficit.  It's not like Uruguay was offensively overwhelming.

Roy Orbison - Blue Angel

I largely try to leave politics and such out of the World Cup,  I admire a number of athletes from all over, Alex Ovechkin helped lead the Washington Capitals to the NHL's Stanley Cup. I'm happy for them, I grew up playing chess, the top chess players were mostly the Russians with a few others.  I'm not talking about their government.

That goalkeeper for Russia is Akinfeev, he's the same one who had a laser shined his eyes I believe last time in Brazil.

That was very unfair and I think the other team scored in this sequence of events.

They were hard done in 2014, before that, last in the WC in 2002, little success in 2016 Euro,  I'm glad for their success, looks like they could hit the quarters at this pace.

Bah, Salah was hurt in the Champions League final; very unfairly by the Spanish team. Of course, a lot of people were curious about Salah just as in the past, they were curious about Rooney in which was it? 2010? or 2006 and then, this time, the way we are hearing a lot about Neymar limping at practise. It may be overblown to be reporting this news on the "superstars" but Salah is no exception.

Now, it's Russia 20-0.... just kidding all....

I've got to think Russia will roll on versus Egypt though, I'd welcome an Egypt win. Some Salah magic would be great to see.