I would love to see Neymar get a yellow for his antics during this game today and not be able to play in the semi final game should Brazil win. Talk about poetic justice. I know I shouldn’t think like that but it is what it is lol!
OT: Official 2018 World Cup Thread
- Thread starter Tango Two
- Start date
Belgium 2-0!!!! I tell you the pace they counter at and the skill they do it with is very impressive. They have vision and awareness along with the pace.
As Meola said, that save by Lloris may have been the best in the whole tournament, so far. Maybe the Russian goalie's save with the foot during PKs to seal things against Spain was as good. And the Uruguayan goalie's gaffe was as bad as de Gea's earlier in the group stage for Spain. Ball was really moving on him, but should've been saved.
Since Germany got the boot, been rooting for Belgium and then France but I think Brazil is capable of a comeback and Belgium's defense isn't as spectacular as its offense. Brazil has had a few near misses already in and around the box so they have the ability.
Belgium - Brazil could be the match of the tourney. Belgium up 2-0 with some luck on that own goal (and that rocket goal by De Bruyne was gorgeous), but Brazil could have 3 already, not even including 2 really good saves by Courtois. Belgium is my pick to win it all, but like I said the other day when they were down 2-0, this ain't over yet, as Brazil is playing pretty well and has tons of firepower.
On a slightly more serious note, it's nice to see some small progress being made in Iran, as women were allowed into stadiums to see World Cup play for the first time since Khomeini took over. Much larger steps are needed, but you gotta start somewhere...
https://mashable.com/2018/06/25/ira...h-BD-Synd-Yahoo-Watercooler-Full#SwQY93YmSaq0
https://mashable.com/2018/06/25/ira...h-BD-Synd-Yahoo-Watercooler-Full#SwQY93YmSaq0
Is this Courtois considered a top goalie at Chelsea? He seems to show a lack of assertiveness in going for the ball in front of the net. Thought the same on some of those dangerous balls rolling around very early in the game.
Neymar is pathetic. I really hope that the youth of the world are not trying to emulate his nonsense.
Yes, he's a top goalie - he's been magnificent today, especially that last save.
I think he's been a little wishy washy myself today. I think some of those balls around the mouth of the goal he could have been more assertive on and just removed the danger.
Is this an unofficial timeout LOL. Not a fan even it probably benefits Belgium.
Yup I said that last save was a good save. Other stuff still doesn't change for me. I didn't find him assertive enough on balls rolling around the front of the net.
Belgium physically out played Brazil. Chadli really impressed on the left side, he and Vertonghen took Willian out of the game in the first half.
Almost wished Brazil would have tied it so we would have gotten another half hour.
Belgium France should be another good one.
Almost wished Brazil would have tied it so we would have gotten another half hour.
Belgium France should be another good one.
I've been playing keeper weekly for almost 10 years now and I watch all the best keepers very closely and he simply played a magnificent game today, as the announcers and analysts all confirmed - you're nitpicking at best. Maybe one ball early on that he could've been more assertive on, but you also can't be sure what was being said between the players - maybe he was called off.
Yeah, even though I've been rooting for Belgium, I probably would've rather seen 30 more minutes of amazing soccer (with a goal at the end of that time and not PKs).
Solid performance and a very good save at the end but I don't see the outstanding play that you and the others might have.
To me he was also fortunate with a deflection off the post, a rebound off his hand in a very dangerous spot mounting to nothing and a few times the ball rolling right in front the goal but nothing coming of it. The last issue being the one where he could have ended the danger himself.
I actually feel like that in other World Cups too frankly. They talk about these top GKs and I usually walk away thinking, eh they're okay but nothing special. But I don't see them much in their leagues. I'd say Casillas and Buffon were 2 that I did think those guys were very good after seeing their World Cup play, can't say that I've felt that much for other GKs coming into the Cup with big names.
Decent games today, Brazil - Belgium was exciting. Belgium got lucky with the Brazilian own-goal, which is too bad in a way, because at 2-0, Belgium just sat back and defended taking a bit of of excitement from the game.
I think Brazil has an argument for a PK towards the end. At the very least, the ref should've checked the replay and I was surprised he didn't. Would've led to a crazy finish.
Belgium's tactics for the game, at least in the first half, were very good. I thought they looked the best they had looked so far in the tournament. Second half was just about defending.
Ultimately, although Brazil dominated play in the second half, I think that was mostly due to Belgium's focus on defending. Brazil appeared to me to never really be able to turn it on in this game. Costa was the only person really causing great difficulty for the Belgium defense, and that just wasn't enough - although it was close.
France, for such a young team, looked very disciplined for the most part. France v Belgium should be an interesting game, if France can keep their composure.
I think Brazil has an argument for a PK towards the end. At the very least, the ref should've checked the replay and I was surprised he didn't. Would've led to a crazy finish.
Belgium's tactics for the game, at least in the first half, were very good. I thought they looked the best they had looked so far in the tournament. Second half was just about defending.
Ultimately, although Brazil dominated play in the second half, I think that was mostly due to Belgium's focus on defending. Brazil appeared to me to never really be able to turn it on in this game. Costa was the only person really causing great difficulty for the Belgium defense, and that just wasn't enough - although it was close.
France, for such a young team, looked very disciplined for the most part. France v Belgium should be an interesting game, if France can keep their composure.
The “set piece orgy” continues!! The 3 Lions up 1-0 30-minutes into the game!!
By the way – easily looks and sounds like the biggest crowd the English have had a game thus far..
By the way – easily looks and sounds like the biggest crowd the English have had a game thus far..