OFFICIAL FIFA World Cup Discussion Thread

France are dominating, look very menacing. This could get ugly if they a breakthrough. Pogba being a tw@t as usual.

France does not look like one of the better teams against Honduras. I mean, come on...it's Honduras and they can't score after 37 minutes? For one of the top teams in Europe, France is sure not looking that intimidating. Vamos Honduras!!

Honduras has stopped playing. They are not trying anymore. Letting France do whatever they want. That second French goal needs to be reviewed. It didn't look like it went in to me. The ref should have taken time to review it with the new technology they have. Honduras should protest.

If the rule is the ball must fully cross the line, then that was a goal...it doesn't have to touch the back of the net. You could even see it on some of the replays. Looks clear to me.

puro pinche BS wrote:

Honduras has stopped playing. They are not trying anymore. Letting France do whatever they want. That second French goal needs to be reviewed. It didn't look like it went in to me. The ref should have taken time to review it with the new technology they have. Honduras should protest.

It was reviewed with goal line tech. It was over the line. Honduras were dominated in the first half, France had 71% of the possession.

assist ref wrote:

I say France win 3-0. Benzema to score 2.

Nice.

Disgraceful stuff from Honduras, some of those tackles were horrible. Bunch of hackers.

Going for a bold call in this one.

Argentina 2-2 Bosnia

Begovic to have a brilliant game in goal.

Argentina win 2-1

I need to get out of my house. Holed up here since Friday morning.

Predictions on the Ghana game tomorrow? I'm going to be positive and say the US wins 2-1.

U.S. wins 1-0

assist ref wrote:

dkny64 wrote:

So far 9 matches, 31 goals, no draws. Can some of you who know more about soccer than I do explain what's brought on this surge in offense?

No stupid soccer ball like in South Africa, that ball was like a wind ball, you could kick it and it could end up hitting the corner flag. There seem to be a lot of young players in this World Cup, could be the reason for all the goals, no fear in them. With Spain been so dominant for the last few years playing attacking soccer. Teams will always try imitate a dominant team.

Interesting. Tx for the insights. Thoughts on Spain - Chile? Kind of must win for Spain, no?

If the US does not control Asamoah Gyan, the unfortunately there is less probability of winning against Ghana. Both US Ghana go into the game thinking this is a-must-win because both will likely have a hard time against Portugal or Germany. Therefore, whoever loses this match will be lucky to get out of this stage.

dkny64 wrote:

assist ref wrote:

No stupid soccer ball like in South Africa, that ball was like a wind ball, you could kick it and it could end up hitting the corner flag. There seem to be a lot of young players in this World Cup, could be the reason for all the goals, no fear in them. With Spain been so dominant for the last few years playing attacking soccer. Teams will always try imitate a dominant team.

Interesting. Tx for the insights. Thoughts on Spain - Chile? Kind of must win for Spain, no?

Someone jacked my handle so i will be posting under this handle from now on. Some people have some serious issues. It caused me so many problems to get a new handle(sic).

Yeah, a win is crucial for Spain to keep their faith in their own hands. A draw keeps them in it but it would take some bizarre results in the other games for them to progress. Seen stranger things happen though.

Chile could be dangerous for Spain with Alexis Sanchez's pace up front. Ramos and Pique were cut apart for Spain by Holland playing the ball in behind them. Chile will have seen this and will try the same with Alexis using his pace to get in behind Spain's high line of defense but I am sure Ramos and Pique will have watched the game film and won't leave this option open.

Chile were good going forward against Australia but were very poor at the back and teams who are better than Australia will exploit this.

I think we will see a backlash from Spain in this game. They will control the possession and starve Chile of the ball. And for that reason, I see Spain winning 3-1.

Good morning guys.

Two great games today (and Iran - Nigeria):

GER-POR: two main questions leading up to this game:

1. is Ronaldo at 100%, because that's what it takes to beat Germany

2. Will Germanys tactic with 4 CB's and no real striker (Mueller or Ozil as the false 9) workout

It's going to be warm and humid and sunny, you can't play 90min of powerplay. Also interesting that Low states "there is no starting 11", there is a "core 14" - the substitutions will be crucial.

USA-GHA: Klinsman is not going to give this away. He booked his flight back for after the WC final, sent a strong message.

My prediction: this group is interesting as it is but today's results will make it even more interesting for matchday 2 and 3.

assist referee wrote:

I think we will see a backlash from Spain in this game. They will control the possession and starve Chile of the ball. And for that reason, I see Spain winning 3-1.

Yes, Spain could bounce back - Chile is not that great of a team. However, the Netherlands are going to win against Australia and then the group would be (if Spain wins):

NED 6

CHI 3

ESP 3

AUS 0

In the last game, NED could certainly affoard a draw and probably even a loss considering their goal balance. Therefore, advantage CHI.

Alejandro Sabella almost ruined the Argie's match putting a 5-3-2 lineup against Bosnia, although Safet Susic (Bosnia's head coach) only had 1 striker (Edin Dzeko) from the beginning.

So, even if Sabella is better than Maradona as coach, why to put 5 defenders against only one striker? unnecesary, dangerous and very conservative, at least.

So you saw 2 different Messi's. In the first half he took the ball in the midfield, and he is not a midfielder. He was playing 20 meters behind his ideal position because Sabella put 3 midfielders with no pace or game distribution (mascherano is a warrior and a deffensive half), and 5 defenders, so Messi wasn't assisted or feeded. He only took the ball very far from the Bosnian goalkeeper and failed almost every pass.

In the 2nd half Sabella changed the strategy. 5-3-2 for a more offensive 4-4-3, with Gago feeding Messi in 3/4 field and Higuain (I don't know why he wasn't a starter) pivotting and creating more spaces, although he wasn't effective on his own. But at least he is a specialist in creating attention and he gives Messi more space. For that reason, the second half of Messi is what you saw from him in Barcelona until this year. And the goal is Messi's signature movement.

Argentina has a terrible defense and a mediocre goalkeeper. But everybody knew that. Even the same team. So, if Argentina wants the title, they should win 4-3, 3-2...and similar results, based in what we saw in South American qualifiers, and friendly matches.

Today, excluding the Nigeria vs Iran game, I think we have 2 beautiful matches in GER vs POR and USA vs GHA.

The key for United Sates is the midfield. If US can neutralize Ghana's game gestation, and if US can outhustle the Muntary-Essien duo, I think we will have a US victory. But is a very close call.

Predictions for today's games?

Ger v Por

Iran v Nig

USA v Gha