Thread to discuss the football itself.
This is not a thread to discuss the hosting of the competition in Quatar.
You can discuss the hosting in the relevant thread.
So are the Portuguese favourites to win the whole thing now? They absolutely shredded a good Swiss team tonight.
As long as they don't let Ronnie on the pitch.
I'd say they're still behind France and Brazil as favourites alright. But they now actually look like a real roadblock for France, where I'd kinda been thinking whoever came out of this portion of the draw would've just been fodder for Mbappe, Giroud, Dembele, Griezmann etc.
We're well set up for a few brilliant late stage matches with Brazil Argentina, France England, France Portugal, and a good final regardless which of those teams get through.
Even he can't give out if the young lads play like that. Ronaldo seemed to be pleased for the goalscorers on the sideline, in fairness.
Wouldn't write the Dutch off yet.
9/5 Brazil
9/2 France (this is too big!) 7/4 to reach final !
13/2 Argentina
13/2 Portugal
13/2 England
16/1 Netherlands
45/1 Croatia
55/1 Morocco
First time winner 3/1 (gets you 4 teams)
Some scenes in Morocco, reminds me of Italia 90 here with everyone out on the streets.
Still have Brazil as favourites but Portugal were superb tonight. Definitely some cracking QFs ahead.
Possibly the best I've seen Portugal play during any tournament, really impressive. They are a bunch of unlikeable characters, but that Swiss team is no pushover, and they ran them off the park. Ramos obviously deserves great credit, but I thought Jao Felix was brilliant, especially in the first half when the game was there to be won.
I think today was the first time I've ever seen a team fail to hit the net even once during a game which included a penalty shoot-out. Absolutely embarrassing from Spain.
But they won possession and passes and all the important stats. Spanish style football at it's finest.
How dare the opposition go against the XG gods.
To say the young lad took his chance well would be an understatement! A dull opening broken apart by that rocket and it was plain sailing from there on in, I knew the Swiss were limited but Portugal were impressive it must be said once they got into their groove, they may go further than I expected. Have them pegged for a qf exit but who knows
Good night for the United lads, Bruno now on what 3 assists and 2 goals?
Bruno is only on 3 assists, Ronaldo got the goals Bruno tried to claim.
He’ll come on for the last 5 minutes of the final when they’re winning, so he can claim the captains armband and go up and lift the trophy. Kind of like a latter day John Terry. You just know it’s going to happen.
Plus
I am really enjoying the matches so far .I am thinking both Argentina and Brazil are overrated for qf .Would netherlands and croatia winning be that much of a shock ,portugal are hitting form and France are just about better then england Thats is the way I would call the quarters anyway .
Croatia certainly would. They are round 9/2 with most bookies to go through, compared to 5/2 for Morocco...
There's something poetic about the fact Ronaldo has sealed his own fate for Portugal over his rotten attitude. As I said before the guy needs some help he can't accept it's over.
What’s fascinating about the Ronaldo situation now is that, if he can accept that he shouldn’t start and be fully behind the team, being willing to come on whenever needed(likely for a shootout), then it could be an amazing World Cup for him. Portugal playing like that would cause problems for anyone left in the competition.
But can footballs biggest ego accept a Portugal side capable of winning the tournament without him as the leading man? I’m not so sure.
Portugal for a qf exit against Morocco? Wouldn't think so.
The Dutch beating Argentina would be no way a shock. Croatia are definitely underdogs but it's possible.
I'm gonna say France, Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal.
Ya I said it before but with the draw they had and the first team they have they had a great chance of at semis and ergo a great chance of winning a world cup but he was going to hold them back because of his ego and whatever influence he has over the manager.
I really can't see a way back in for him now starting it would be madness by the manager, but maybe with a world cup win on the horizon he will be able to keep his behavior in check.
And he will be able to play a part if they are chasing a goal or as you said need someone for a the penalty shoot out. The way it should have been from the start.
I agree with you lots of footballers go loopy and hit a downward spiral when it ends. Gazza the obvious example. I am not saying Ronaldo is going to go like Gazza. Ronaldo is a health freak for a start - no alcohol- and his famous ‘aqua’ press conference etc.
But he is struggling to get his head around not being the same player he once was. It will be interesting to see what Roy Keane says about the Ronaldo situation.
As Keane’s line with Man United was ‘respect’ and he is ‘Ronaldo’. And defending his former teammate out of ‘loyalty’.
But that is now two managers that dropped Ronaldo, and the teams were better for it.
I think I fancy the dutch tbh deffo the better and more balanced team for me, would be better if they had a more combative midfielder.
But the dutch will be the first team that will actually want the ball versus them and you have 2 players who don't fancy the hard yards, they have great defensive players, but I think we have already seen players are already getting tired pre 90 minutes at the world cup, 9 doing the job of 11 will add up quick.
But Messi does still have all game so you never know he could pull them through
Ide say 3 teams. He was never dropped at Juve but they looked better without him.
Anyone else sensing a gaping void in their life this morning? Two empty purposeless days stretching ahead...
I don't think Gazza is a good example at all, he had mental health issues from a young age, hanging up his boots didn't turn him into what he is today.
Eden Hazard has retired from international football, was very good for a short period, didn't fulfill his potential for me.
.......And for the parents discovering they still have children
Judging by the tournament, and his non-impact, he could have done this three weeks ago.
Was fantastic at Lille and Chelsea, and boy did the Blues cash in at the right time. He won more trophies at Real Madrid without really contributing.
My abiding memory of him is him kicking the "ball boy" at Swansea. Totally justified !!!
The ones he missed are the ones he ran to to quickly.
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