they bribed their way into hosting...hardly deserving...fifa if it had any integrity should've pulled the WC immediately when tsar Vlad invaded another fifa member the Ukraine...but I guess that was too much to expect from an organization that was as corrupt as the putin dictatorship...
An amazing game between Spain and Portugal. Ronaldo finally breaks out in a World Cup in super star style. A well deserved hat trick. In the other group game, sorryass Moroccan Aziz Bouhaddouz gifted an own goal winner to Iran late in injury time. He's going to have nightmares about that for the rest of his life. The good news is that Morocco was never expected to get out of the group. And after that Spain/Portugal slugfest, it doesn't look like Iran will be able to get out the group either, despite the win.
Argentina has been disappointing so far, just like France, though they might up their games next week. Tonight will see Brazil compete against Switzerland, and I expect Neymar to point his fingers to the sky above his opponents' heads from the land of Rousseau.
Weekend Awards (in my opinion): Most impressive teams: 1) Mexico, for playing up to their potential and beating Germany (this did not surprise me) and 2) Iceland, for showing 2014 was no fluke. Honorable Mention (3): Russia, for registering the only high scoring blowout of the weekend, 5-0 over Saudi Arabia Most disappointing teams, in order: 1) Germany 2) Brazil and 3) France didn't live up to the hype, but the Aussies deserve some credit for that and Les Bleus did manage to win 2-1 Best Games: Serbia v. Costa Rica for its fast pace and Spain vs. Portugal for the exciting finish Best player: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (3 goals vs. Spain) Dishonorable Mention: The referees in the Brazil vs. Switzerland match, who let the Swiss get away with mugging Neymar on far too many occasions Upcoming/Remaining Games: Will Belgium and England show?
That was definitely a heartbreaker. I'd have to put Morocco a close second behind Poland's two bad breaks, and the second one was something I have never seen before.
For the first time ever, they're using VAR (Video Assisted Referees) as well. No 'Hand of God' cheating is going to stop England now... For once, the game is fair. I think England are going to do quite well, might even win it.
but when do they use VAR, I've seen a few times when there was a questionable foul and the ref never used it...I assume the ref makes the decision when to consult the VAR but what are his guidelines?
lol...I'd prefer russia lose to Iceland 10-0 Iceland vs Belgium would be my perfect final match, ain't gonna happen but that would be cool...
If Iceland can start generating more offense it could happen. I'd like to see some crazy, wide-open final like Russia vs. Costa Rica, but that seriously ain't gonna happen.
I'm looking forward to the Russkies facing some serious competition - they've been destroying some cupcakes, haven't they? Gotta love your optimism, Rhetoric. I'd like to know who the UK had to bribe in order to field more than one team. Furthermore, a unified British team would certainly be more formidable than the component "countries" that are allowed to compete now. It doesn't really bother me but it doesn't make sense on many levels...
it doesn't make sense but that was how it all started and it's been grandfathered into FIFA rules of competition ever since...it would make sense for them to give up the "home four" but nationalism in the three junior partners will never allow it... england won't win, they don't have the dynamic player like a Ronaldo to make the difference, that's just my opinion...of coarse my english buddy disagrees ...
Yep, England was an extra-time header away from joining my most disappointing list. I was glad to see them win and I'll be rooting for them in the future, but their performance against Panama didn't inspire much confidence in them advancing far beyond the Group stage. But, at least they made it to the Cup, which is more than I can say for our (USA) team...
All I can say is "...but England." Like I was Jessica Huang and this was Fresh of the Boat and instead of China, it's England, and instead of her, it's me. (not me) (still not me) IDK, why not team GB for FIFA? Olympics has one.