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Day 4: Morocco vs Croatia | Germany vs Japan | Spain vs Costa Rica | Belgium vs Canada
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Morata coming on should take the pressure off Costa Rica. He's bound to miss a few clear cut chances.
ah ah easy goal
Wasn’t expecting that many goals as Spain aren’t renowned for being a goalscoring machine but won’t be surprised now if they score another couple more.
Costa Rica are atrocious.
This world cup must be one of the lowest attendances in history
Might be conveniently boycotting the tournament
Gavi wearing #9 is a disgrace! Almost as bad as Gallas #10 or Gyan #3.
Japan, Spain and Germany will all end up at 6 points. Whoever scores most against Costa Rica will advance.
There's only 2.9 million people live there.
Yeah Spain are contenders.
They curbed a spine issue at the back with moving Rodri to the CB role. They aren't perfect and in a big game, I think they won't have the space or time to be as incisive as they have been against Costa Rica, but the solidity from Rodri might make them solid enough to still win those games.
France have never been defensive imo. They just had Kante and Pogba in midfield which forced the team deeper. France's play is more incisive than any team I've seen. They don't need to build up as slowly as spain do to get their team into those attacking areas. I favour that incisiveness with the voracity of their attackers, reminds me of Brazil in 2002 with the terror their attackers can bring on their own.
The possession stats in this game must be ridiculous. I'm watching this while working and everytime I look at the screen Spain have the ball.
Costa Rica 0.00 xG. 15% possession. 0 total shots.
Dear, dear... Worse team in the WC so far.
Dear, dear... Worse team in the WC so far.
People travel internationally to see games though, the point still stands.
Morata will be the end of Spain. Horrific striker.
Is there any reason why the BBC have longer real names for Gavi and Pedri ... and Rodri gets Rodri?
They do but I would hypostases that large portions of the stadiums are full of locals at most World Cups.
They are so boring, so defensive!
One lesson I've gotten from watching this Spanish side is, a lot of people need to let go of the notion that playing possession football makes you more likely to win. Spain can win like this because they have certain unique features that allow them to maintain control whilst playing this way. It's not easy and should not be expected by fans when employing managers who have traditionally played a different style.
It's not simply about being able to control the game, but consistently dictating the tempo at different speeds and with lots of movement to simply an create an opening that could lead to an attack. It takes a very fluid team with managers truly dedicated to that type of football to achieve that consistently. Spain, Barca and City are the only teams I see with the players, manager, ball control, patience and off the ball movement to achieve that in a way that leads to goalscoring and domination. Tika-Taka is quite different from the dutch style. It's less direct and less incisive.
My point here is that too many teams try to copy the style when it's something that is very difficult to achieve. When in actuality, most teams would actually do better employing more incisive systems.
It's not simply about being able to control the game, but consistently dictating the tempo at different speeds and with lots of movement to simply an create an opening that could lead to an attack. It takes a very fluid team with managers truly dedicated to that type of football to achieve that consistently. Spain, Barca and City are the only teams I see with the players, manager, ball control, patience and off the ball movement to achieve that in a way that leads to goalscoring and domination. Tika-Taka is quite different from the dutch style. It's less direct and less incisive.
My point here is that too many teams try to copy the style when it's something that is very difficult to achieve. When in actuality, most teams would actually do better employing more incisive systems.
Germany have Spain in the next game. Could be an early exit for the Germans
Spain are definitely contenders because of how they keep the ball, but playing Rodri at Center half and no obvious striker may hurt them. I’m also amazed they didn’t find room in their squad for Thiago. I think Rodri is a brilliant DM who can afford to play CB against weaker teams where they will have the ball the whole time, but I think he’ll get found out against a top striker. Still, Spain, France, Brazil and possibly England are the favourites.
So happy for Luis Enrique and Ferran. They have so many haters in Spain.
Great assist though…
Wow
Great goal Gavi
Good finish but it's all too easy.
Gavi makes it 5-0.
Spain's midfield is really good. I hate it.
Gavi soon as good as Pedri?
Probably the best 18 year old midfielder I’ve seen since Fabregas.
Or Pedri…
Or Pedri…
Very impressive from Spain. Looking forward to their game with ze Germans
This is a bloodbath.
So one sided.
So one sided.
Incredible from Gavi.
Another excellent goal.
Before kick-off people on Twitter were saying that they expect Costa Rica to do another upset in the mould of Saudi Arabia and Japan. No chance. This lot are lucky to be in it in the first place, they barely scraped by fecking New Zealand who are basically a bunch of semi-professionals in the play-offs.
Costa Rica hasn't even had a shot on goal. 16% possession. Disgusting performance.
Someone said Gavi was one of those players that you see all the time?
....
....
Wind back a few hours and everyone was saying similar about Musiala.Probably the best 18 year old midfielder I’ve seen since Fabregas.
Or Pedri…
So England with 6 goals from 2.11 xG, Argentina with 1 from 2.26. France with 4 from 4.21, Germany with 1 from 3.27, Spain with 5 from 2.74.
Sometimes variance just kills you...
Sometimes variance just kills you...
Beautiful goal by Gavi.