2022 World Cup Qatar

[sycamore]

Imagine Spain winning their first match 7-0 and then drawing the next match, yet still being out at one stage yesterday. Their fans must have been panicking for a while. Germany saved them! Proper drama in this World Cup!

The thing is, we haven't seen a single team, really, put together a consistent, impressive effort in the first round. Spain, England, France, Argentina all had lapses in their first three games. Of the major powers, only Brazil (so far) has looked consistently impressive. Off the small fry, Morocco, of all teams, has looked pretty impressive too.

 

[sycamore]

South East Asia FTW (Japan and Korea).

 

[BlackFox]

All eyes on Ghana v Uruguay now.........

 

[Iceman]

Korea have done their bit. Their match over with a win. Still 5 mins left in the Uruguay match and if they score they will still go through.

 

[BlackFox]

Everyones in tears...

 

[Iceman]

The thing is, we haven't seen a single team, really, put together a consistent, impressive effort in the first round. Spain, England, France, Argentina all had lapses in their first three games. Of the major powers, only Brazil (so far) has looked consistently impressive. Off the small fry, Morocco, of all teams, has looked pretty impressive too.

I’d give France a bit of a pass as their team was proper second string and probably not representative of how they’ll be in future rounds. But yeah as of now it’s very hard to confidently predict a favourite and nearly everyone has vulnerabilities.

 

[BlackFox]

Korea have made it!!!

Uruguay losing the plot at the final whistle.

 

[Iceman]

All finished now, Korea through! Amazing end again with all 3 teams in with a shout till late on.

 

[Iceman]

Korea have made it!!!

Uruguay losing the plot at the final whistle.

Funny to see, especially Suarez and his tears. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

 

[MarvelFan]

South East Asia FTW (Japan and Korea).

We and Korea could meet in the quarterfinal now!

 

[BlackFox]

Cheers, Son's crying.

 

[Iceman]

If it all goes with favourites:

Netherlands vs Argentina.
Brazil vs Croatia (or Japan vs Korea if they can upset again ).
England vs France.
Spain vs Portugal.

 

[MarvelFan]

3 Asia (AFC) nations advanced into round 16!

Japan, Korea, and Australia!

 

[BlackFox]

If it all goes with favourites:

Netherlands vs Argentina.
Brazil vs Croatia (or Japan vs Korea if they can upset again ).
England vs France.
Spain vs Portugal.

That would be insane if that works out that way (although I would take Japan v Korea right now!)
some potential utter classic rematches going on here.

But then Arg v Brazil semi and France v Spain after would be immense as well.

 

[sycamore]

If it all goes with favourites:

Netherlands vs Argentina.
Brazil vs Croatia (or Japan vs Korea if they can upset again ).
England vs France.
Spain vs Portugal.

Thats a big if. I like both Japan (vs Croatia) and Morocco (vs Spain) to advance as underdogs.

 

[Iceman]

That would be insane if that works out that way (although I would take Japan v Korea right now!)
some potential utter classic rematches going on here.

But then Arg v Brazil semi and France v Spain after would be immense as well.

Yes, some nice classics in there between teams with specific history with each other.

In terms of overall quality, the quarters should always be insanely stacked if all the seeds top their groups and get through their last 16 tie. Belgium look like they will be dropping out of that elite group who have a chance of winning now going forwards. Italy and Germany (under usual historical norms) are the others who would contend to join this group that contribute to stacking out the quarters at a World Cup. World Cup, CL and PL are the best for number of good teams with some chance of challenging the no.1 team IMO.

 

[Iceman]

Thats a big if. I like both Japan (vs Croatia) and Morocco (vs Spain) to advance as underdogs.

So far we've seen Saudi beat Argentina right near the start of the tournament so favourites going through is anything but guaranteed. Also the top teams aren't all that far out in front like they used to be, while the others have been catching up. Japan have already taken out 2 juggernauts so who's to say they can't take out more lol.

 

[sycamore]

So far we've seen Saudi beat Argentina right near the start of the tournament so favourites going through is anything but guaranteed. Also the top teams aren't all that far out in front like they used to be, while the others have been catching up. Japan have already taken out 2 juggernauts so who's to say they can't take out more lol.

And Morocco are red-hot and playing with momentum. Spain OTOH staggered a little vs Germany and vs Japan. Ripe for the upset IMO.

 

[Iceman]

And Morocco are red-hot and playing with momentum. Spain OTOH staggered a little vs Germany and vs Japan. Ripe for the upset IMO.

Morocco really did look good and high energy. Would love if they could take this through to the knockouts. I think Spain can dominate once ahead but they can also struggle when behind. Especially in the latter stages they aren’t direct enough. There is a time for patience and a time to be throwing everything at it!

 

[Iceman]

Brazil drawing with Cameroon so far.

Switzerland just took the lead against Serbia.

 

[BlackFox]

Mitrovic equalizes for Serbia. Fantastic game so far against Switzerland, end to end stuff for the first 30 minutes already.

 

[Iceman]

Mitrovic levels it up with a good header.

 

[BlackFox]

Serbia make it 2-1. Nice finish. This game could end up being anything yet.

 

[Iceman]

Vlahovic puts Serbia ahead. The drama never ends. Serbia taking Switzerland's place as of now.

 

[BlackFox]

2-2 Embolo. Great end to a great half.