World Cup discussion

[#AbsoluteUnit]

The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins tomorrow. I'm American, and I'm fully aware that USA will not participate at this years World Cup. I'm very casual fan. My 3 favorite club teams are: Liverpool (I got to see them when I was 6), Real Madrid, and Ajax. Anyway, forget what I said. Who do you want to win? Who do you think will win?

Who do I want to win? Germany

Who do I think will win? Eh, I'll go with either Argentina and/or Portugal.

Thoughts?

Discuss here.

[A11]

Spain already sacked their coach. I love the world cup <3. There's probably about 5 or 6 teams that can give it a real crack. I'd guess that Germany will be a good shout, France if they dont bottle it and unravel like always and England to surprise a few and make the semis at least. I'm really just hoping australia can sneak out of our group and then get a result in the 16. After that anything can really happen. Big boy Andy Nabbout to kick 5 goals for australia and jag us to the semis and I might just break my dick from happiness. Tim Cahill to get zero minutes would make me happy too

[#AbsoluteUnit]

I wouldn't mind if Australia put in a deep run. I agree with you on France. Although I despise them greatly, they're stacked.

[Mr. TM]

I cheer for Germany. I hope they put in a good run because they are fun to watch. That is until 2026 when we host and get our automatic spot!

[Smally]

Love the World Cup, like most people think Brazil or Germany will win but hope an outsider like Croatia or Senegal get quite far

[Awesome_Miz]

I'm just hoping that Mexico can possibly do decent. I'm really hoping they do something fun since they are the closest country to me since silly USA can get the hosting rights but can't qualify.

[Slyfox696]

I had almost forgotten this started. I do not follow soccer at all, don't know hardly anyone who plays, but I do always enjoy watching the World Cup. I wish the USA was in it, and my viewing experience will be lessened because they are not, but I'll still watch and enjoy.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Wow, Russia did not disappoint as hosting this tournament. Russia 5, Saudi Arabia 0. Nice opener for Russia.

[FunKay]

Russia, somehow look unconvincing in spite of wiping the Saudi's around like rag dolls (especially that big fella' they stuck on, he ate the defenders for breakfast, good grief).

Salah, Cavani and Suarez will have a field day with both those defenses.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Cristiano is a beast.

[Smally]

Spain vs Portugal was a great game, really enjoyable from start to finish.

Quite enjoyed the Peru vs Denmark second half today. Croatia & Nigeria looked really bad

[CheSquiare]

Really good game, especially the tie. Although I wanted Spain to trounce Portugal since I have money on them winning the overall world cup.

[A11]

How the fuck do I study for an exam and watch the world cup?

[Slyfox696]

Watching Sweden and Korea...my first World Cup viewing this year.

[Slyfox696]

Wait...it's possible to have a video replay review that doesn't take 15 minutes??? Why haven't American based sports organizations heard of this?

[Fallout]

I'm rooting for Columbia. I always like backing the dark horse.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

When does USA play?...........Oh, wait.

[Slyfox696]

When does USA play?...........Oh, wait.With a lot of luck, in four years.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

With a lot of luck, in four years.

Yes sir. We need to find a coach first man!

[A11]

Wait...it's possible to have a video replay review that doesn't take 15 minutes??? Why haven't American based sports organizations heard of this?

Dont try and say VAR is well run. Its fucking hopeless

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Dont try and say VAR is well run. Its fucking hopeless

It's much better than anything the USA does in sports regarding video replay.

[A11]

It's much better than anything the USA does in sports regarding video replay.

Its cancerous is what it is

[Slyfox696]

Dont try and say VAR is well run. Its fucking hopelessI'm not saying it is well run, I'm just saying a video replay which doesn't take 15 minutes was quite refreshing and uncommon in the USA.

[Uncle Sam]

Up until the England game, I thought VAR was well implemented - not particularly intrusive, not abused, and any "mistakes" were a matter of opinion. Perhaps it's just my bias shining through, but if Tunisia deserved one penalty then England should have had at least two, and I thought the entire point of VAR was to stop injustices like players being hauled to the ground in the penalty area in a mad scramble that the referee may not notice at the time.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Russia has impressed me. They've already secured a spot in the knockout round officially after today's win.

[A11]

Up until the England game, I thought VAR was well implemented - not particularly intrusive, not abused, and any "mistakes" were a matter of opinion. Perhaps it's just my bias shining through, but if Tunisia deserved one penalty then England should have had at least two, and I thought the entire point of VAR was to stop injustices like players being hauled to the ground in the penalty area in a mad scramble that the referee may not notice at the time.

When VAR works it works, that I have no doubt but as I've seen this whole season in Australia when it goes wrong its fucking excruciating and a complete turn off

[Lee]

It's crazy how many penalties there have been already. Same with own goals and late goals. Teams are being complacent at times and it's bringing up some unexpected results.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Croatia blasted Argentina 3-0.

[Fallout]

Croatia blasted Argentina 3-0.

It was basically Diving Simulator 2018 the first half.

Funny how Argentina could go out in the group stages at this rate. Germany too.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

A ton of flops in the 2nd half too.

[A11]

It was basically Diving Simulator 2018 the first half.

Funny how Argentina could go out in the group stages at this rate. Germany too.

Germany will get it together I'd imagine, Argentina rely on messi way too much and nobody else can or will stand up, they're only there because Messi carried them there he was the only bloke to score a competitive goal for years and needed a messi hattrick in their last game to get here as well

[Fallout]

Germany will get it together I'd imagine, Argentina rely on messi way too much and nobody else can or will stand up, they're only there because Messi carried them there he was the only bloke to score a competitive goal for years and needed a messi hattrick in their last game to get here as well

Glad to see someone else thinks Ageuro is overrated. Di Maria is pretty good, although he wasn't playing yesterday and Mascherano can be good when he's not being a dirty jackass.

[A11]

Glad to see someone else thinks Ageuro is overrated. Di Maria is pretty good, although he wasn't playing yesterday and Mascherano can be good when he's not being a dirty jackass.

I wouldnt say overrated. More that there is a culture in that argentina side where everyone steps back and waits for messi to do something

Still a huge chance for them to get out of the group now that Nigeria have thumped iceland

[Барбоса]

Crap defence, crap midfield, crap formation, crap tactics and crap spirit.

Any wonder Argentina are crap.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Overall from what I've seen thus far, this tournament is looking very weak overall. Netherlands and Italy must be kicking themselves in the foot right now.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Oh and it was hilarious watching Argentina's manager troll up and down the sidelines. LOL, he looked like uncle fester on a meth binge.

[Awesome_Miz]

Wow Mexico has had one hell of a run thus far and I couldn't be happier for them. They are so close and also far away from advancing to the sweet 16 matchups they just need to focus a bit on their attacking and striking cause they've had some possible shots but kept on missing. They just can't afford to lose to Sweden at any cost, so they can hopefully keep the first place and face either Switzerland or Serbia.

Speaking of which, I'm also pissed off on the officiating and VAR system for not calling the obvious call against Switzerland when two of the players were obviously holding the Serbia player from making a possible headshot goal. That truly shows you how shitty the VAR can be at times.

And about time Germany get it together and started playing like the team they are supposed to be.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Not trying to sound like i'm a sore loser, but I really hope Argentina gets eliminated. Way over hyped.

[A11]

Xhaka and Shaqiri throwing up eagles is the greatest thing this tournament will give us. Nobody gets riled up over that shit like serbs

[A11]

Iran sooking at portugal time wasting, zero sympathy for them. Those fucks play that way for 90 minutes both at club and national team level and then when someone swings it back on them they crack the absolute shits and carry on like a three year old. Iran and morocco were very lucky to keep 11 on the field just for disciplinary issues. Blokes charging in from miles away to get right up in the face of the ref is unacceptable and embarrassing. The ref would have been well within his rights to send them off if he had wanted to

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Iran was lucky as shit to get that penalty kick.

Side note: What language does the referee communicate with both teams? Not just talking about Portugal vs Iran, I'm talking every game.

[A11]

I dont really know, i remember reading somewhere for the 2010 world cup that they had to teach the refs all the insults they could hear so they would know what is going on

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Screw you Diego Maradona (Former Argentina Manager and won a World cup in 1986 by using his hand to score the goal in the Final), flipping off the Nigerians when Argentina went up 2-1 today. Stay classy asshole. Fuck Argentina.

[Slyfox696]

Side note: What language does the referee communicate with both teams? Not just talking about Portugal vs Iran, I'm talking every game.I'm fairly certain referees have to be able to communicate in English. It is sort of the world language between different language speaking individuals.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

^ Thanks Sly. English was what I was thinking as well.

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Man I'm very disappointed in Germany's performance. I do not care who wins this year's World Cup but I'll be cheering against; Brazil, England and Mexico. The other 13 countries are fair game.

[Slyfox696]

A lot of the countries I've been told are the heaviest hitters have not had a good World Cup.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Even with France and Uruguay advancing today, there are 5 countries who have won a World Cup who are still alive in the tournament. France, Uruguay, Brazil, Spain and England have all been successful in years past by virtue of winning the World Cup. My early favorites are already out; Germany, Argentina, and Portugal. I've said I love upsets, so I'm shooting for some underdogs here. I'm cheering for Belgium and Croatia. Why? Easy. Neither team lost in the group stage.

[Smally]

Croatia just about scrapped through against Denmark on penalties, quite happy with this as when their midfield gets going and has balance (ie playing Badelj) theyâ??re really good to watch.

This is probably the best World Cup of my life that I remember, USA 94 was what got me into the sport and the World Cup to me at least is the ultimate prize on offer

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Team Croatia hasn't lost or tied a match thus far. Unbelievable.

[Lee]

Team Croatia hasn't lost or tied a match thus far. Unbelievable.

They literally just drew a match there.

One of Russia, Croatia, England, Colombia, Sweden or Switzerland will be in the World Cup Final. Fucking mental!

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Yes sir Mr. Lee, my apologies. However, Croatia won on PK's. They won sir.

[Lee]

Yes sir Mr. Lee, my apologies. However, Croatia won on PK's. They won sir.

Yes but they still drew.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Correct. I was wrong.

[samuel]

I'll go for Argentina

[#AbsoluteUnit]

^Yeah, they've been eliminated man.

[Lee]

Just like Colombia. It's coming home!

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Anyone here watch that Japan vs Belgium match? Oh boy, that had to have been the best match in the tournament thus far. Incredible 2nd half for both teams. But watching Belgium score the winning goal in the last minute of stoppage time was simply epic. This match deserves an ESPY.

[Lee]

Belgium didn't deserve it but that or portugal/spain and france/argentina have been the best games for me.

[A11]

Do people care about espys?

[#AbsoluteUnit]

No, probably not. That was a dumb statement on my part.

[Lee]

Can't wait for football to be back tomorrow!

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Yes Sir. This tournament is going by way to fast.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Ah yes, an all European semi-final. I dig it.

[Awesome_Miz]

I'm just happy Brazil is out of the World Cup. Now I'm just hoping that England wins due to how good their team is and how Mexico is out of the tournament as well. I also wouldn't mind Croatia winning the thing.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Personally, I would love to see Croatia vs Belgium in the actual final. Why? I'd love to see some fresh blood in the international scene.

[Lee]

Personally, I would love to see Croatia vs Belgium in the actual final. Why? I'd love to see some fresh blood in the international scene.

Are you mad? England haven't got this far since 1990. Hardly someone who dominates the competition.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Are you mad? England haven't got this far since 1990. Hardly someone who dominates the competition.

No. France and England have won the World Cup before, no?

[Fallout]

england last won in 1966. it's pretty obvious all of those players are long done with football.

[Lee]

Even France haven't won in 20 years.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Ok. Let's go France and England!

[A11]

England havent beaten anyone and even if they beat croatia they still wont have. So far they have scraped a win against a poor side, smashed the shittest team there (WHO THE USA ARE WORSE THAN!), lost to belgium in a reserve game. From there they have limped their way through colombia and beat an average Swedish team. A win in the semis over a croatian side that has gone the distance twice beckons. You give that draw to say 24 of the 32 nations and I think they would expect a world cup final appearance. The only reason this is escaping the criticism it deserves is because it's coming home memes have made a feel good story

[A11]

I'd like croatia to win because they would break the fact that every world cup winner (Bar england) touches another world cup winner. However, Croatians based in australia would be absolutely unbearable, even more than they already are

[Fallout]

CROATIA BOIS.

I really hope they beat France, and set a new precedent for World Cups, it would be great for the team and country. Croatia and Columbia were the two teams I was supporting due to their dark horse status.

[Spidey]

It's already a new precedent. Brazil is out. :P

This is the first year I paid attention to football that wasn't "American". Rooted for France since Day 1 and I'm happy to see them make the Finals. Gotta keep with them but it's shaping up to be a cool little story for the little country. Definitely more interested in this sport now.

[#AbsoluteUnit]

Props to Belgium.

[A11]

cheers france, $150 in my pocket