2018 FIFA World Cup

[Renegade]

I am hopeful, but it's a hard ask. I hope Argentina beats France and Belgium beats Brazil, because we generally don't do well against their type of football.
As to predictions, I know it's a cop-out, but I really have no clue... France, Brazil, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, even Switzerland are candidates for mine.
I can see Spain get pretty far (at least semi against Switzerland probably) on the other side of the draw.

It's a pretty open WC which is awesome, really feels like most of the teams in R16 have a chance considering there hasn't really been a standout team bar maybe Belgium and Croatia thus far.

 

[Super Freak]

I think England purposely dropped their game against Belgium.

That's a favourable draw for them.

 

[Renegade]

I think England purposely dropped their game against Belgium.

That's a favourable draw for them.

They're still going out at the quarters at best. It's England. Colombia might even get them depending on how bad Rodriguez's injury is.

 

[Sproj]

Goodness, that top half of the draw is loaded isn't it. The bottom half looks fairly cruisy. Possible Brazil v Belgium QF, that would be an amazingly high quality game.

 

[Super Freak]

Still fucking filthy about this. That bullshit second yellow for Heitinga who doesn't pull or push Iniesta. Clear as day dive, and there were far worse challenges from both sides that didn't even get booked.

Still hurts to watch.



I never did like Howard Webb.

 

[Super Freak]

Portugal vs France
Brazil vs Belgium
Spain vs Croatia
Sweden vs England

I think that will be the QF matches.

I think Portugal vs Brazil and Croatia vs Sweden SF's.

I can see Croatia beating Spain. I think Croatia have been better and can nab a win.

 

[mitch222]

England are about due for their fall to pieces game. I think Columbia will beat them. One of Mexico, Japan or Uruguay will get up too as a bit of a shock. I don't think France will find it easy going against Argentina too.

 

[Super Freak]

England are about due for their fall to pieces game. I think Columbia will beat them. One of Mexico, Japan or Uruguay will get up too as a bit of a shock. I don't think France will find it easy going against Argentina too.

I think England will surprise a few people in this World Cup.

I watch them play and I don't see the issues they had in previous tournaments. I don't see the divide in the team, the egos affecting team morale and the team's performance.

 

[Super Freak]

There is a video going around of England fans back in England going absolute mental when Belgium scored. They were celebrating like they just won the WC.

 

[Black Philip]

I think England purposely dropped their game against Belgium.

That's a favourable draw for them.

I don't think England threw the game, but Southgate certainly didn't chase victory like he should have. Only Pickford and Loftus-Cheek remained in the starting line up from the last game so he obviously was playing it safe. That being said, Belgium didn't exactly look like they were going hell for leather either, and both teams picked up in the second half. I was pissed when Rashford bottled his chance.

England will need to graft hard and be on point for the Columbia game, but if Rodriguez is out it will change a lot.

 

[Black Philip]

I think England will surprise a few people in this World Cup.

I watch them play and I don't see the issues they had in previous tournaments. I don't see the divide in the team, the egos affecting team morale and the team's performance.

I can't remember who it was (Gerrard or Lampard maybe?) but one player of the "golden generation" said in England camps the players would stay with their club teammates and wouldn't mingle. I remember Carragher saying that after England would be knocked out of tournaments he would get over it with the mentality "at least it wasnt Liverpool". They just didn't care about the national team.

It was a good example of a team of champions and not a champion team. England often had a stacked line up and should have done much better in tournaments but as you said SF, the egos, the poor morale and not to mention, shit management, fucked it up.

 

[Super Freak]

I can't remember who it was (Gerrard or Lampard maybe?) but one player of the "golden generation" said in England camps the players would stay with their club teammates and wouldn't mingle. I remember Carragher saying that after England would be knocked out of tournaments he would get over it with the mentality "at least it wasnt Liverpool". They just didn't care about the national team.

It was a good example of a team of champions and not a champion team. England often had a stacked line up and should have done much better in tournaments but as you said SF, the egos, the poor morale and not to mention, shit management, fucked it up.

It was both of them, I believe. Ferdinand would even speak about not having much to do with Lampard because he didn't want him to learn anything that he can implement in his own game to win against him.

It's a shame the egos got so out of control in that side, they had a fucking good side on paper. They should have won a World Cup during their time. But it just got so out of control.

That's why I don't think this England side will have the same fate as them. They seem very focused, including the management, on making sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[ningnangnong]

 

[ningnangnong]

 

[Super Freak]

Haha, fucking love it. One of the funniest dives of the comp.

Note: Not sure why it won't show up. I shall make a report and Nashy can investigate.

 

[Alec]

Is Messi the only good player Argentina has?

 

[Alec]

Holy ****, never mind.

 

[Renegade]

What a goal from adm