OFFICIAL FIFA World Cup Discussion Thread

Wørd wrote:

Brazil have been really disappointing. The thing that struck me today is that they don't seem to have any set running patterns or plays in attack. When Neymar or Oscar get the ball you'd expect to see people running into position but most of the time I saw 2 or 3 players running to the same central position and then stopping and waiting..

This is because of Fred, he doesn't want to run and shows no enthusiasm. It boogles me why he is starting or even playing for that matter. His movement is terrible. Jo seemed a bit more positive when he came on, he was looking for space to receive a pass and maybe create something. Neymar is showing his class so far.

Does anyone worry that Putin will assassinate the goalkeeper before the next game?

A friend of mine always roots for third world countries (No, I'm not saying Russia is 3rd world) for a similar reason. They fear a big screw up will cost a player from such countries their lives when they return home.

rojo wrote:

Does anyone worry that Putin will assassinate the goalkeeper before the next game?

A friend of mine always roots for third world countries (No, I'm not saying Russia is 3rd world) for a similar reason. They fear a big screw up will cost a player from such countries their lives when they return home.

This has happened. We were talking about it today ob this thread. Andreas Escobar scored an own goal in the world cup and when he arrived home he was murdered by Pablo Escobars gang. If you look at the video of that goal. It looks like Andreas knows what is to come.

Really sad story but a positive did come out of it. This was a catalyst for the Columbian military launching a attack on Escobars house and killing Pablo. I do not look at someone been killed as a positive but in this case he got what he deserved for all his evil.

German Guy wrote:

...

As to France, they will never win a worldcup that they're not hosting.

So much hate all bundled-up in that ignorance.

"France...never...", considering their history and talent pool

I'm pretty sure you'll be wrong sooner than later.

I will say that without Ribery it will be a very difficult task this year (it would have been difficult with him as well).

However, as many have pointed out, the French team is an inconsistent team but rarely a weak team.

if you are truly German, congrats on another strong German team almost always very good in big tournaments.

Andres Escobar wasn't executed because he scored an own goal. He was at a night club a few weeks later and he was getting heckled by some idiots because of it. He eventually walked away and went to his car. When he drove past the club on his way home he started arguing with them again (apparently he got out of his car at that point) and they shot him.

I think they were found to be part of Pablo Escobar's cartel but it wasn't a planned liquidation. It was the catalyst for government action against the cartels but mostly because of the public outrage. After this very public murder, the Colombian people finally had enough and demanded action.

Actually, we are both wrong. Pablo was killed in 1993, 7 months before Andreas death. Here is an article on what happened.

Also, as I was reading that article I came across Rene Higuita and it brought back some memories. He also received thousands of death threats for this magical moment and it was only a friendly. Complete madness but one of the the most memorable moments in soccers history. He was afraid to go back to Columbia after this.

The beautiful game wrote:

I will say that without Ribery it will be a very difficult task this year (it would have been difficult with him as well).

Don't forget that Ribery was the reason for that embarrassment in 2010. He was the main figure behind the revolt against their coach.

Ribery also often commits stupid fouls (yellow/red car worthy) for no reason.

His form has been all over the place throughout the last year but declining.

He cheated on his (muslim) wive with an underage prostitute.

Bottom line: the French hate Ribery and they're better off without him.

And Evra who is there. Nasri is a pain in the ass, that is why he isn't there.

Predictions on today's Group B matches?

Also, if Spain wins by a goal or two against Chile and Holland also wins today, does Holland "let" Chile win in rd 3 and potentially send Spain home?

Holland can't accomplish anything by letting Chile win because Spain could potentially run up the score against Australia. In your scenario, Holland would know going into the last match that they could afford a narrow loss to Chile and still qualify but if they want to secure 1st place it the group and thus avoid Brazil(?) in the round of 16 they would need at least a draw.

But... why would Holland want to send Spain home?

Wørd wrote:

But... why would Holland want to send Spain home?

They won't. Members of the same group can't meet again until the final and there's no easy opponents for that anyway.

I expect AUS to get slaughtered today.

CHI-ESP is wide open to me, but I am leaning towards Spain to rebound.

Spain apparently used to be the most under-performing nation because the "Spanish", Catalans and Basques didn't get on with each other.

Maybe that's happening again.

The ESPN presenter said something about the Spanish to Roberto Martinez last week, to which he replied "I wouldn't know, I'm from Catalonia".

does anyone know where you can watch repeats of the games?

1-1, what a goal by Cahill.

1-0 Chile, awful start for Spain

Casillas has been awful in both matches. 2nd goal today sounds like it was pretty ugly [although I haven't seen a good replay yet], goal 4 against Holland was terrible, goal 3 against Holland was pretty bad. Any conspiracy theories to be had? [I'm thinking you could have gotten some pretty steep betting odds against Spain doing this badly.]

Anyway, I really hope Chile holds on and Spain goes home.

Spain out of the world cup is shocking!! This year's edition has been full of surprises so far. I never would have though Spain would be left in group play. Congrats to Chile. They will go far in the tournament.

This means that in 3 of the last 4 World Cups the defending champion has been eliminated in the group stage. Like Spain, France were also defending European champions when they crashed out in 2002.

German Guy wrote:

....

Bottom line: the French hate Ribery and they're better off without him.

Two wrongs in one sentenced.

1) French do not hate the player Ribery (they may hate the bad husband...But i don't believe that's relevant to his game on the field)

2) voted 3rd best male player of the year behind Ronaldo and Messi in 2013...Any team is better off with him in it.

You should know...Bayern Munich capped the greatest year in club history (2013)...Yes, the German club was also better off with him in it .