World Cup Russia 2018

[Marco]

Yeah I remember something about that, but not too much. I was only 13 at the time. The main thing that stuck in my mind was all the 'Ally's tartan army' pish, funny though it was.

World Cup 82 was more my era

Marco.

[tapid]

Yeah, new I was struggling with Ally s name mate. Great goal that.

[struth]

knew willie.. had a pub in kirkaldy. used to fix his machines for him.. a mad gambler; would bet on anything lol

[tapid]

yup, wee bud johnston got sent home for failing a dope test think he had innocently taken Reactivan. funny thing was it was archie gemmill who should have done the test and willie offered to do it for him as he was dehydrated...

17 red cards in his career. Must have spent as much time off the pitch as on it !

[chris@panteg]

Wow, great play from Mexico, can they keep this up? Germany look a little sluggish.

[chris@panteg]

Mexico deserved that win, could and should have been a second goal, Germany very lacklustre but must improve surely?

[Marco]

Germany 0 Mexico 1 / Brazil 1 Switzerland 1

Only seen the highlights of Costa Rica vs. Serbia (0-1), so can't really comment too much, save to say that Kolarov's free kick was a stunner!

Yup, Mexico most certainly deserved that win, as right from the off, they *wanted* it more than Germany, who only really woke up and started playing, as they can, in the last 20 mins, and had a couple of near misses.

A strangely subdued start then from Germany, but then again Mexico have always been a rather 'stuffy' and hard side to beat, plus they have some talented players, so not only can they defend well, but they possess a threat up front. If they continue playing like that, they're going to do well in this competition.

I think that Germany, having now had this wake-up call, will be a different team in their next match - and they'll need to be if they're going to win the cup. After watching that game yesterday though and analysing some of the players, my gut feeling [that's all it is at the moment] is that they won't be the winners this year, which brings me onto Brazil....

I started off being very impressed with Brazil, especially defensively, and in terms of their overall organisation. In that respect, they've clearly learned from the disaster of the last World Cup, and of course they have a number of world class players in their ranks, particularly up front, especially in Coutinho, whose goal was just simply sublime!!

For me, that's going to be the goal of the tournament. It will certainly take something pretty special to beat it. However, after Brazil scored, instead of going on to assert their class and put Switzerland to bed, they seem to retreat into their shell and almost be contented that one goal was enough, which was disappointing and not at all like Brazil teams of the past.

Again, Switzerland have always been a tough team to beat. They're usually pretty solid defensively, as was proven last night. The goal they conceded, no keeper in the world could have stopped, and with the likes of Shaqiri, who I thought had an excellent game, they've always got a chance of creating something out of nothing. His corner, which lead to the goal, was superb. If only all corners from teams were taken like that!

However, back to Brazil... As I've said this is a different Brazil team from old, and one which seems to be less showboating and more disciplined and organised, but still with players who can change a game in an instant. The defence does look suspect from cross balls, which I'm sure they can sort, but other than that I think they have the discipline and mental toughness, of course as well as they skill, to go all the way.

The teams I expect to do well, but won't necessarily win it are the likes of Croatia, Belgium, Portugal and Mexico. The hosts, Russia, also have a chance, particularly if they continue to play as well as they did in the opening match, but realistically I can't see them getting any further than the quarter-finals.

Spain aside, it's been a subdued start from most of the 'big hitters', but that's not unusual, as plenty of teams in the past who've drawn their opening games have gone on to win the cup, and in that respect I'm pretty sure we've already seen the winner. It's often the teams who 'grow into' a tournament, rather than those who start off with a bang, who go onto win it. Of the teams that realistically have a chance of winning it, Spain have impressed me the most, followed by France, then Brazil, Argentina and Germany.

Portugal, of course, were fantastic, but for me they rely too heavily on Ronaldo, so if he should get injured or have a bad game, the back up isn't there to take his place, unlike is the case with the other teams I've mentioned. I also feel the same way about Argentina, who rely too much on Messi, although of course they have Aguero. For me though, overall, unless they improve markedly, I don't see them as this year's winners.

England and Belgium of course still have to play, and I'm very much looking forward to watching today's games. I'm expecting good things from Belgium, and they could well be an outside tip for going all the way, if all their big players click, and certainly wish England well tonight against Tunisia. They're a young team and have plenty of talent. It's simply a matter of if they can all gel together and embrace that all-important 'tournament mentality', which has been sadly lacking since 1990.

I think they're have to win tonight to have a chance of doing anything, as the pressure that will be put on the players if they don't will be incredible, and we know where that usually leads... That said, I'm going to predict 2-0 to England. However, having studied the teams now with the most realistic chance of winning the cup, my prediction is that the winner will be either Spain, Brazil or France!

Anyway, good luck tonight to England

Marco.

[chris@panteg]

You know Marco, after watching the games so far, I've no idea who will win this now, could be Portugal? I had this strange nightmare of seeing Ronaldo lift the world cup

[Macca]

Right, been down the bookies and got a shedload of bets on this afternoon.


Germany to win the tournament, Spain to win the tournament.


Columbia v Japan 1-0, 0-1, 1-3


Belgium v Panama 2-1, 3-0, 4-0


Tunisia v England 0-1, 0-2, 1-2


Poland v Senegal 1-0, 0-1, 3-2 (I think the 3-2 should have been 1-2 but I couldn't read my own writing. So that's become a bit of long shot).


Let's see how it goes. England better not let me down. Starting to get pre-match nerves already and there's almost 4 hours to go yet.

[Marco]

Sorry, I don't bet so have no idea what that means...How can you predict two winners and all those different scores? I thought it had to be one winner and one scoreline per match?

Marco.