2022 FIFA World Cup Official Thread

[Moranis]

Belgium is out

[ozgod]

Sunset for the Golden Generation

[Who]

That was a good game. Enjoyed that.

Feel bad Belgium is out given all the talent they have but they are not a great team. More a group of individuals than a team. Roberto Martinez has been a liability there for quite some time. It is unfortunate they never really made a real run with that group. Sorta like England and their Golden Generation in 2000-2008. Worlds of potential but no follow through.

Happy for Croatia. They played some beautiful football at times today. Not a real heavyweight but boy do they punch above their weight for a small nation. Very impressive team & nation.

Well done to Morroco. Nice to see an African team doing so well. I love Ziyech. Hakimi is awesome too. I am always surprised that those North African nations do not fare better in World Cups because they produce some super skilled footballers. Lot of good dribblers, passers, creative talent.

[Phantom255x]

Morocco is having an awesome tournament so far. They look like they can be that "Cinderella team" in the WC this year, especially if they can avoid having to face any of Germany/Spain next round, but even if they do they still won't make life easy on GER/ESP.

Japan-Spain to me will be very interesting in that it can really affect how Group E ends. Germany I expect will beat Costa Rica, but what happens with Japan-Spain? I'm not so sure it'll be an easy Spain win. We already saw Japan upset Germany before, and a draw could be a possibility, which if that happens means Germany could potentially be knocked out even if they win unless they win by multiple goals.

[Who]

I came away pretty impressed with Germany after that last Germany vs Spain match.

I liked their sticktoitiveness. They never gave up despite Spain being in control and dominating the match. That mental toughness and determination is the sign of Champions.

I was also super impressed by their substitutes and their ability to bring on fresh legs who were game-changing talent. The Germans just kept coming wave after wave while the Spanish were not able to replenish their lines. Their guys tired and Luis Enrique did not look comfortable trusting his bench against a high quality opponent like Germany.

The Germans on one hand were not that impressive but on the other they showed real qualities that you find on Cup winning teams. They look a serious threat to win this World Cup. I reckon they'll keep ramping up and improving throughout the tournament. That depth & determination combined with genuine top quality talent makes them a fearsome side.

Spain I was less convinced by. I thought they were in full control and should have seen in through. Instead their young guys started to tire and showed their inexperience in seeing out the match. The coach didn't make subs so he clearly didn't believe their subs were good enough to beat a strong squad like the Germans. Not a good sign of their depth.

I love Pedri and Gavi for Spain but they are very young and still show that youth against top opposition. I like their ability to win La Liga with Barca where they face inferior opponents most of the time but I always questioned their ability to make a Champs League run where they would regularly face stronger opponents. I see a similar question to them in a World Cup bid. Too much too soon I fear.

I also thought Olmo tired and disappeared from the match. That attacking edge on the final 3rd, they weren't able to maintain it. Guys got tired and they didn't have subs to come in with fresh legs and keep it going.

I also thought Busquets was showing his age towards the end of that match. He couldn't keep up with the play. His touch is still superb and so is his positioning but his legs couldn't keep up once the game got stretched and he started to tire.

Just didn't look like a team that could win the tournament. Sensationally talented team, Spain, but too young and immature for this tourney. The Euros in 2yrs, they should be ready for that one.

[Phantom255x]

It just looks way too easy for Germany and Spain. Looks like both of them will advance

[Amonkey]

It just looks way too easy for Germany and Spain. Looks like both of them will advance

Somebody may have spoken too soon... I hope Japan and Spain advances.

[ozgod]

It just looks way too easy for Germany and Spain. Looks like both of them will advance

Starting to unravel for Germany...1-1 now with 30 min to go

[ozgod]

2-1 Costa Rica!!! at the 69th minute, so probably another 30 min including stoppage

[ozgod]

2-2 now

in the other game I guess Japan scored twice and are now 2-1 up

So if CR scores again Spain and Germany could be out 

[ozgod]

Germany back in front 3-2

Japan still lead Spain 2-1

[Moranis]

goal explosions in the 2nd half.  sad i can't watch, but it looks like Japan won, so they win the group and Spain will advance.

[ozgod]

Germany win 4-2 but are out because Japan win 2-1 ans finish top of the group

So Spain play Morocco and Japan play Croatia…I have a feeling Spain aren’t all that disappointed with that matchup

[Roy H.]

I didn’t watch the afternoon games.  Is there any sense that Spain tanked?  Or was Japan legit?

[ozgod]

I didn’t watch the afternoon games.  Is there any sense that Spain tanked?  Or was Japan legit?

I was watching the Germany-CR game but Spain came close the last couple of minutes but the Japan keeper made good saves

But as it worked out I’m sure they would have preferred to play Morocco than Croatia