PBP Thread: Match #47, Belgium vs England, 28 June 2018

In.

 

This game should be treated as a final. The team that finishes first goes to the "weakest side" of the knockout stages.
If they draw, its decided by the fair play rule (they are all even and belgium has one more yellow)
If England has one more yellow during the game and its a draw, then the coin will decide everything.
Amazing !

 

This is going to be interesting as they've had easy opponents. Because of the form and morale, they're likely going to be able to unleash their potential so I am expecting a real match here.

 

It's the other way around. The team that comes 2nd in this group goes to the "easier" side of the draw, which is why neither team is going to be playing its full strength side tonight. As a spectacle, this could well be a total dud.

 

I do not think that speculations can help any side. Just go there and try to win. If you lose, you will play Colombia or Senegal, and frankly Colombia is pretty tough opponent.

 

Should Belgium finish 2nd, then Spain will be the only previous World Cup winner... heck, World Cup finalist for that matter in that knockout round bracket.

Oh yeah, I forget Sweden have a WC final appearance in 1958 - still Spain would be the only previous winner

 

Yellow to Belgium at min 20. Still 0-0, and lots of fouls happening.

 

Disappointed not to see Belguim's best eleven. They had two easy games and the only game where we can really judge them lost now significance under these circumstances. I'm not impressed by Belguim until they beat a top side when it really matters.

 

So, if second is the easier path, are we going to see a competition to get more yellow cards at the end of the match?

yikes. That alone will convince me that the fair play criterion needs to be reevaluated.

 

Belgium ahead in yellows 5-2 now. Looks like they will be the Lucky Second.

 

Belgium having the better of the game so far.

 

HT: 0-0.

As it stands, England will win the group to face Japan and Belgium will face Colombia.

 

Neither team is going all out; a lot of their starters on both sides are resting.

 

Belgium 10 attempts v. 4 for England in the first 45'. Not a single one of England's attempts has been on target.

https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/match/300340182/#match-statistics

Come on now, except for our goalie all of Belgium's starters are on the bench (maybe Kompany gets a few minutes as Martinez said he wouldn't play the full 90'). This is basically the worst side we could have fielded. Surely England can get a shot on target.

 

France and Denmark just checked in and said 'do something. this is boring.'

 

Belgium goal...!

0-1...

First and second spots flipped...

 

Januzaj most underrated player in the world

 

Why did England rest many key players (9 of 11)? Do they not care who to face next? Japan or Colombia? Wow...

 

England doesn't have serious intentions to remain very long in the tournament. At least not at any costs. Expectations in Belguim are much higher so they rest players to keep them fresh.

 

It's no fun if you can't run around for 90 minutes and lose to Germany...

 

In 4 years time we will have a brilliant team and belgium after their goldon generation will struggle to qualify for tournaments as they will be crap again

 

He used to hang out in the "overrated" pool.