Day 8: Japan vs Costa Rica | Belgium vs Morocco | Croatia vs Canada | Spain vs Germany

saivet

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Entertaining 2nd half. Was left not feeling as confident in Spain as I was at HT.

I think they are a good team but think their squad is a fundamentally flawed everywhere but midfield.
 

bosnian_red

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That's a lot of conclusion drawn from basically 1 game against Costa Rica and a draw (so far) against germany.
And the euros. And the nation's league and friendlies in between. And judging the coaches as being by a very long distance the best coaches in the world Cup, and recent treble winners.

You know football happened before these 2 games?
 

Massive Spanner

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Then England v USA or England when they played Iran?

This doesn’t really work.

The game tonight, as it is, has not been high quality or anything to get excited about.
I’ve no idea what you’re on about. I specifically said England v USA.

that’s fine, I thought it was a really good game compared to most at the cup. Two good teams.
 

hasanejaz88

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Really improved after conceding the goal and ofcourse Fullkrug coming on.

But damn man those two chances for Sane and Musiala, should've scored off both.

Draw a fairish result, Germany might have shadded it towards the end.
 

mav_9me

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I don't think the game is that good technically, lots of intensity for sure but Spain conceded a lot against a Germany team that lost to Japan 3 days ago, they hardly play "a different game".
I’m not sure what game you’re watching but this isn’t high quality.

Both teams very sloppy in possession and in final decision making
The sloppy in possession comes from the high quality pressing and high intensity.

That high intensity is part of quality I am talking about.
 

ManUtd1999

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So, only France with two wins and guaranteed qualification after 6 groups have played two rounds.
 

Lyng

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Then England v USA or England when they played Iran?

This doesn’t really work.

The game tonight, as it is, has not been high quality or anything to get excited about.
Your defense look very vulnerable though. I think England was electric against Iran but your defense must be a worry.
 

Pintu

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Nah Spain are the most talented team for sure. Best coaches, and they perform the best on the pitch. They were the best team in the euros too, lost on pens to Italy in the semi final.

No batch of talent? Musiala is literally one of the best teenagers in world football!!
I don't think so even though they looked better than Italy on the game between the 2... But they looked toothless against Sweden (We could have won that game). They looked clueless against 10 men Switzerland and only got past them thanks to the pens.

Spain may be more talented but the best team overall has to be between England and Italy if you take into account all the games of the tournament.
 

TheReligion

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Neither side look up to much. Nobody in the tournament has really to be honest.

When all sides look equal always back the Germans.
Seems like we were watching a different game to everyone else.

Can’t believe people are raving about it here. Spain were below par and Germany workman like.

Some good technical play but many misplaced passes and bad decisions at key moments.
 

Red the Bear

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I dunno I just don't see it at all. Spain was too young at the euros and they outplayed everyone and lost on pens to the winners who were also excellent. How is the attack blunt, they are the top scorers in the world Cup? They are coached brilliantly and play like an elite CL side and have bundles of creativity. They are young sure, but Pedri is world class already, not some random young player.

And with Germany ... All their best players are 26/27 and their most important player is 19. They also have Adeyemi and Moukoko, both potentail elite attackers, also teenagers. Like... It's just flat out wrong to say they don't have good young players coming through, it's as good as ever.
They score 7 ageing Costa Rica, as it stands they have to rely on the likes of morata and Torres which just isn't good enough especially when comparing to other favorites like France, Brazil and to a degree England.

Also while the likes of pedri already play like seasoned pros their lack of experience will show itself from time to time which is natural, you get better with age.

Definitely agree about their coaching being excellent, Enrique is one of the best internationally coaches right now and certain a great advantage to have.

and abound Germany while it's certainly a decent batch of talent coming up as expected from a major footballing nation such as their I just don't see it being world cup winning qualifying the way I easily did with their team back in 2010.

But either of these teams could just as well go on to win the whole thing 20 some days from now and make me shitfaced nut we'll just have to wait and see.
 

Smacky The Frog

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Good high intensity match. Spain looked on top for a lot of it but impressive fightback by Germany. Think Enrique will regret putting the handbrakes on, they are not good enough defensively to hold on to a lead against a team as good as Germany.
 

carvajal

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A bit disappointed with the way they managed the game at 1-0, although obviously they were playing for their lives and pushed a lot. Against Japan I'd like to see some Ansu Fati and Balde starting, although Alba was very good today.
Musiala fantastic. Fair result
 

MUnchies

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Japan will never forgive themselves for throwing this group away.
They deserved to be beaten by Iran. Resting 5 players from the Germany game was stupid, the coach and players underestimated Costa Rica and paid for it dearly.
 

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Whoever made Sane move away from his run at defenders at speed game has really done him a disservice. I remember his for Schalke at the Bernabeu, he gave Madrid fits or his early years at City against Monaco in the Champions League. He was something else.
Not kept up much with him at Bayern but maybe the ACL has robbed him of some pace. Shame if true, one of the few players whenever I saw his name on the team sheet would genuinely frighten you. Sensational to watch in full flight.
 

Oly Francis

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Very fun game, sloppy in the last third from both team but it was good to watch. Germany had several chances get 2 extra points but they should qualify now unless spain decides to draw against Japan on purpose (pretty risky).
 

bosnian_red

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I'd be amazed (disgusted)
I'd be surprised if Brazil gets past Spain. Brazil don't really press like Germany do, they're more reliant on just being tight. But Spain will control the ball and take advantage of a very old backline that might have to play a CB at RB or current day dani Alves if not. So... Yeah. Spain/Germany for me to be the final. Though Brazil and France are the other 2 possibilities.
 

AndyMUFC

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Proper tactical battle that, probably a fair result in the end and not a surprising one. Both teams with strikers off the bench making the difference.
 

tjb

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I'm all for the idea of an underdog, but when a team is potentially as good as Germany, they NEED to be in the tournament.
They are potentially an even better side than they've shown so far, just on the basis of potentially having an attacking piece like Sane joining Musiala ( he's better than Pedri). Musiala is so good. Reminds me a touch of Zidane with his balance and agility in tight attacking spaces. Just so good.
 

That_Bloke

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Japan drawing with Spain should eliminate Germany regardless of their result against Costa-Rica or I'm getting my math wrong?
 

PoTMS

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That game was exhilarating, if not the quality not being all there with so many misplaced pass and poor mistakes from both teams.
 

Lyricist

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Still not easy for Germany. If japan draw, Germany need a 2 goal win.
I think a 1 goal win should suffice. Isn't it something like:
points > goal difference > goals scored > head to head > fairplay ranking > fifa ranking > coin toss

If Japan wins though Germany are fecked.
 

Sly

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Well taken goal by Full throttle