World Cup (2018) - Group B (Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran)

Not convinced by either Portugal or Spain, they both looked very beatable today. Portugal were worse than Morocco and only won because things are dangerously prepared for CR, Spain barely broke through Iran. Will lose the first time they face a top 5 side.

The only worrying thing is Portugal won the Euro looking beatable in just about every single match. Ronaldo’s form is nothing to scoff at. They have the personnel and the experience.

I don’t think they’ll be able to recreate the Euro but so far so good for them. I think Russia and Uruguay can easily beat either Spain or Portugal in the round of 16.

Spain played well against Portugal, I think. A cheap penalty, one of the worst goals of all time and a great free kick but the three goals do show where Spain’s weakness is. They’re slow and they concede chances. Diego Costa has been delivering in a way they would otherwise sorely lack, the luck against Iran was still a piece of ingenuity for him on the initial take and turn. Without him you kind of wonder where the goals would come from, not unlike Portugal with Ronaldo.

Luca wrote:I think Russia and Uruguay can easily beat either Spain or Portugal in the round of 16.

wtf

zigra wrote:

Luca wrote:I think Russia and Uruguay can easily beat either Spain or Portugal in the round of 16.

wtf

Can easily doesn’t mean will easily, I just think either match will be closer than some may think.

Uruguay are the South American Portugal and Russia is fully doped up, playing at home

Let's not forget Portugal won the EC by playing fodder till the final. Sure they somehow managed to hold the line against an always underperforming France but that's about it. So beating Portugal is one thing.

But Spain won't be beaten. Don't let these games in the group stage fool you. They will absolutely murder them.

zigra wrote:Let's not forget Portugal won the EC by playing fodder till the final. Sure they somehow managed to hold the line against an always underperforming France but that's about it. So beating Portugal is one thing.

But Spain won't be beaten. Don't let these games in the group stage fool you. They will absolutely murder them.

I don’t disagree. I just won’t rule out something crazy happen just yet. Quality wise it’s Spain > Portugal > Uruguay > Russia. I’m sure that’s less controversial?

They are the ones who won tonight. Hopefully the first of many. https://t.co/ftnMwegZjz

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) June 20, 2018

Luca wrote:

zigra wrote:Let's not forget Portugal won the EC by playing fodder till the final. Sure they somehow managed to hold the line against an always underperforming France but that's about it. So beating Portugal is one thing.

But Spain won't be beaten. Don't let these games in the group stage fool you. They will absolutely murder them.

I don’t disagree. I just won’t rule out something crazy happen just yet. Quality wise it’s Spain > Portugal > Uruguay > Russia. I’m sure that’s less controversial?

I'd say that order is spot on, yeah.
If Suarez could turn back time to his 2015 (or whatever it was) form for the next few weeks I don't think there'd be a lot between Uruguay and Portugal but it doesn't look like it.

Sina wrote:

They are the ones who won tonight. Hopefully the first of many. https://t.co/ftnMwegZjz

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) June 20, 2018

what kind of government religion and society do you have to have to feel the need to ban women from a football game ffs. and people get on my case for bad mouthing this shit.

Yeah unfortunately minority scum have all the power
but lets not get off topic

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Not convinced by either Portugal or Spain, they both looked very beatable today. Portugal were worse than Morocco and only won because things are dangerously prepared for CR, Spain barely broke through Iran. Will lose the first time they face a top 5 side.

Which top side was convincing so far though? None of them, there are no favourites now imo, and I would love if someone unexpected wins the whole thing

Or maybe we are judging the 'top sides' a bit too early...

You can expect some of these teams to grow into the tournament as it progresses.

Winter is Coming wrote:

OSCAR GOES TOOOOOOOOOO PEPE (!)#POR #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/AVh1mAn8GQ

— memo #16092 (@gozumdekiris) June 20, 2018

OMFG

Azmoun getting a lot of unfair criticism over here
i thought he was alright vs Spain

really need him to come with a big contribution next match
under a lot of pressure now

Spoiler:

sort of stuff you expect at local comps ffs

Ronaldo foi à janela pedir aos iranianos para o deixarem dormir em paz

@RTP1 pic.twitter.com/UtYxZBbJF3

— B24  (@B24PT) June 24, 2018

Huge game

Interesting how Queiroz will approach this match
Mid block invited balls over the top in first game and Por could do some damage
their press lacks coordination but do we have quality to take advantage of the space?

Ezatollahi gonna be key
stopping long balls and counters and passing around

fatigue overall big issue for us

starts to both halves gonna be a big factor
need to stay in the game
at least show improvement from 4 years ago

Thiago gets the start. Still believe that lack of width and pace will be Spain's undoing.

Guedes and Bernardo benched for Quaresma and Andre Silva

Both Guedes and Silva have been playing surprisingly poor. Particularly surprised with Guedes, if any sort of strategy that would suit his talents, it would be this one with Portugal.

The way they play is ill suited to their talents IMO.

Silva is a player who needs the ball, having them chase around and play on the counter attack doesn't suit him at all.

Guedes is just a bad fit with Ronaldo, Andre Silva is a much better fit for Ronaldo's skill set so i'm surprised this decision wasn't taken earlier.

Also as much as i like Silva if you are going to play this way, which clearly so far is only really suited for one man offensively ( Ronaldo ) you might as well play Quaresma, he's a lot better than Silva at playing like this.

Quaresma

Pique with the double leg chop, disgusting