World Cup 2018

[Mal]

Holy cow, Spain can still play, though. This game should be 4-1 right now.

Maybe if there's one team for whom the identity of the head coach doesn't matter, it's Spain. They're not doing anything different now, tactically, than they were doing a decade ago.

Gonna be tough for anyone to top that goal Nacho just scored, although Cavani danged near had its equal (and mirror image) earlier today.

[pfrduke]

What a game for Cristiano Ronaldo. The free kick from outside the box to tie it up was very pretty. That was likely the game of the group stage. Really exciting, high level play.

The contrast between that one and Morocco-Iran was, well, not small.

[tbyers11]

What a game for Cristiano Ronaldo. The free kick from outside the box to tie it up was very pretty. That was likely the game of the group stage. Really exciting, high level play.

The contrast between that one and Morocco-Iran was, well, not small.

I would use stronger words than very pretty to describe the free kick that tied the game and notched the hat trick for Cristiano Ronaldo but this is a family site.

I am not generally a huge fan of CR but that performance today was amazing.

[PSurprise]

De Gea had a disappointing day. That second goal he should have had. I realize it was a hard, low & tough shot, but he's a world-class keeper.

[gus]

What a game for Cristiano Ronaldo. The free kick from outside the box to tie it up was very pretty. That was likely the game of the group stage. Really exciting, high level play.

The contrast between that one and Morocco-Iran was, well, not small.

coworker, during match: So, spain and portugal are pretty much guaranteed to go through right?
me: You never know what's gonna happen... but, yeah.

[NSDukeFan]

What a game for Cristiano Ronaldo. The free kick from outside the box to tie it up was very pretty. That was likely the game of the group stage. Really exciting, high level play.

The contrast between that one and Morocco-Iran was, well, not small.

That was a fantastic game, but hopefully there are some other great ones in the group stage. I’m looking forward to seeing some good games in the Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria bracket . That might be fun.

[Deslok]

First off, an amazing performance by both sides. But also, I think that goal may have been important to Portugal. Even had they lost, I think Spain goes through. Portugal I'm not so sure, as I could see them get stuck and draw Morocco or Iran, and so a loss would be a problem for them and have to worry about goal differential.

[OldPhiKap]

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[OldPhiKap]

Argentina-Iceland very entertaining from the start . . . .

[dudog84]

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I've always rooted for Germany in the past because of my supposed heritage, but my sister just did a DNA test and we're mostly British & Irish. So it looks like The Three Lions for me.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Argentina-Iceland very entertaining from the start . . . .

Agreed. Should be one of the better opening round matchups.

[flyingdutchdevil]

Even more than I hate Argentina

So happy the Arggies tied.

I must admit CR7 is the greatest player in the world.

[OldPhiKap]

I've always rooted for Germany in the past because of my supposed heritage, but my sister just did a DNA test and we're mostly British & Irish. So it looks like The Three Lions for me.

English and Irish are two very different things.

—O’PK

[dudog84]

English and Irish are two very different things.

—O’PK

Take it up with 23andMe. They lump 'em together.

[OldPhiKap]

Take it up with 23andMe. They lump 'em together.

Understood.

Last time I was in Dublin, someone referred to Northern Ireland as “the unfinished business of 1916.”

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[luburch]

Even more than I hate Argentina

So happy the Arggies tied.

I must admit CR7 is the greatest player in the world.

Ehhh, I'd disagree with this still. CR7 had a great first match, but there's a lot of cup left.

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Agreed. Should be one of the better opening round matchups.

How in the world does Iceland, about the population of Durham, and frigid to boot, compete with Argentina in soccer?

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

How in the world does Iceland, about the population of Durham, and frigid to boot, compete with Argentina in soccer?

Rhw population of Iceland is about 30% more than Buncombe County. This is why I am amazed by their success.

[JNort]

Ehhh, I'd disagree with this still. CR7 had a great first match, but there's a lot of cup left.

I think it's definetly him and Messi. Whom did you have in mind?

[flyingdutchdevil]

Ehhh, I'd disagree with this still. CR7 had a great first match, but there's a lot of cup left.

That game had nothing to do with it. It just reinforced the conclusion.

CR7 is insanely talented and what he’s done at Madrid blows anything Messi has done at Barca.

Also, Portugal is not a good team. It’s basically him and 10 scrubs. Essentially, the Cavs of the World Cup.