Yeah, Poland v Mexico was a turgid game and they did Argentina a massive favour by drawing. I think SA could win this group. Both goals against Argentina were excellent and their defence was superb.
This is the political forum. There's plenty of other places you can go if you don't want politics in your discussion. This is not that place.
Wow. We knew it was going to be tricky. I wish I'd put some money on Japan now. Too many wasted opportunities down to poor finishing. 25 shots with only 8 of them on target. Both Japan goals scored by players in the German league too. Oh boy, this World Cup is really warming up now. I wonder what the odds are on Serbia beating Brazil? Japan 2 Germany 1
All the beer goes to the winner..... And then there was the actual news from the cup... Japan wins over Germany??
Doesn't look like Spain are going to let another upset happen. 2-0 over Costa Rica with just 21 mins gone.
As expected a very difficult game. This looks to me like the Euros. Germany cannot score and the defense makes critical mistakes. 3 players did their job, Suehle, Ruediger and Musaila, the rest was just not good, or good enough. Gnabry had his moments, but that was just not enough. Give great credit to the spirit of the Japanes team, they never gave up, all hands on deck and that's why they won. Flick has his job cut out for him. That will be very difficult
Hey CF - I hope you're enjoying your retirement. You picked a good year for it, I might add. I concur with your assessment. We've both been very supportive of Gregg but he's got to do a better job of putting this team in a position to succeed (start Reyna and Acosta!). He seems to be erring on the side of caution and clearly that's not working. Hopefully, our boys will put in a respectable performance against England, otherwise it's going to be a very Black Friday. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!
It's going to be a tough group to get out of now. Especially after Spain's display today. Looking like the group of death this time around. Have you got a second favourite team to fall back on if Germany don't pull it off?
Nice goal for perpetual underachievers Belgium. Where's Lukaku? Our neighbors in the Great White North better locate the back of the net soon...
Spain today was just a nice warm up for them, a training game. I cannot see how Germany can beat Spain, but then it is football. I am watching Canada vs Belgium, Canada is playing rather well. I am a great fan of Alfonso Davies. Germany or no Germany I just like to watch football
Argentina is clearly overrated. Their only goal came on a PK and then the Saudis scored two nice goals and the winner was absolutely brilliant. I think people started drinking the Kool-Aid after Argentina upset Brazil in the Copa America. They're solid on defense but they are seriously challenged on offense.
Another bad day for the Empire. Canada did look pretty good though. Morocco and Croatia did both look rubbish today (unless you like diving) they could easily beat both of them on today's form. Belgium didn't look too scary. It's Spain, England and France looking the best so far. With Brazil to play tomorrow that could be the semifinal line up if the draw permits.
Both SA's goals were top draw and the goalie and the man of the match defender (I forget his name) were excellent. I could see them going through, possibly as group winner. if Mexico and Poland don't get a lot better.
Yes and No. Germany has the talent, it just misses a key element, a center striker. Because of it all the great talent gets just wasted. Musaila can dribble his way through any defense with ease, but then nobody is there. That is frustrating. When Lewandowski left Bayern, Bayern had the same problem, till Nagelsman brought Choupon and suddenly there were the goals. A central striker opens rooms. There is a 18year old kiddo from Dortmund, who has the talent, have to look up his name. 18 is naturally rather young, but then Jamal is only 19. What can you lose, nothing. As it looks now Germany is done, it needs 6 points, maybe 4. And then there are those defense black outs, over and over again. Japan deserved that win, they worked hard for it over 90 min and used their chances. Germany was not bad, actually at times rather good, but did not score, when they should have. One more thing, my critique of the US, was 90 minutes, same for Germany, that was not 90 minutes, that was a good first half and then they allowed Japan to come back
Thanks, Talon. Same to you. Yes, Reyna and Acosta, of course! Musah was doing well, got subbed out. And Weah. We played prevent defense when the lead was just 1-0. Naturally Wales grew into the game. And when they tied, due to the subs we were toothless. And still, someone like Reyna never got in!!!! What a wasted opportunity!!! I could see us falling back to defend a 2-0 score but not 1-0! We should have continued to do in second half what we did in first half: press, attack. We'd have won 2-0.
You are absolutely right, gnoib. Spain seems to be on fire, 7-0! Sure, Costa Rica is a shadow of its formal self (with that good run they had in 2014) but still! England, France, and Spain, very powerful offenses. Let's see what Brazil does tomorrow.
