There's a way to stop Neymar from whining and rolling to waste about 20 minutes a match. Referees simply have to give the opponent a penalty in the first minute. Because Neymar couldnot profit by wasting time he played more minutes than he normally does in a match. And he should have been yellowed for several dives in the penalty area.
Yes in both 1974 and 1978 golden opportunities were wasted. Going up 1-0 in 1974 with West Germany not even touching the ball, and Rensenbrink hitting the post in the dying seconds in 1978. That the 1988 generation screwed up in 1990 when they were pre-tournament favorites was such a pity, and surely so avoidable. As for 1998, given the players we had we should have indeed done much better. What a shame it happened to coincide with a period when our mentality was rather suspect (were basically guaranteed to lose every penalty shootout for instance), and when teams like Brazil and France were very strong. I hope you're right about France. The bookies seem to have France as about a 55% favorite to qualify in the semifinal match. I missed France's supposed best game of the tournament against Argentina so I'm somewhat underwhelmed by them at the moment. It was encouraging that they managed to fight back so impressively when 1-2 down though. I guess they're slight favorite because, well, they're France, and perhaps because Belgium had been somewhat lucky against both Japan and Brazil. Belgium's defense still looks somewhat suspect at times, and Meunier's suspension won't help.
Their full-backs are playing crap, Umtiti plays weak and although the midfield is powerful and good, there is also a lack of creativity among the forwards and midfielders. Not really convinced by this French team, and they don't create a lot while not secure at the back. Mbappe is scary though. Brazil was the best team left in the competition. Brazil turned it around in the second half, much like NLD did in 2010 to them, but they just couldn't finish it. Netherlands remains the only European team to have beaten them three times in major competitions (plus a 1-1 draw, a narrow 2-3 loss).
52 - Brazil have had 52 touches in the opposition box against Belgium, the highest tally for Brazil in a #WorldCup match since Opta analyze the World Cup in full detail (1966). Siege. pic.twitter.com/pekb4wCdQX— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) July 6, 2018
I do to but I cannot see Sweden scoring in this one. both Berg and Toivonen are over the hill and not dangerous (I have often been proven wrong).
I thought in waves and waves (especially in 2nd half) Brazil were the better team, but thats the way it goes I guess
I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Mourinho let deBryune and Lukaka go when he was still at Chelsea. I mean, dude!!! #SMFH
Southgate starts to believe his own hype See this https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/sport/2018/07/gareth-southgate-and-new-progressive-englishness
France is only the second team to beat three different South American nations in a single World Cup tournament (Peru, Argentina and Uruguay). The other team beat Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
I predict that in typical Dutch fashion Kuipers will wind up reffing the semi-final, but not the final.....LOL https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/2276512/kuipers-mag-van-fifa-in-rusland-blijven
Depends on what Belgium does. No Belgian referee has ever done a competitive match involving Netherlands and vice versa. Meanwhile, an Argentine doing Uruguay is no issue.
I make England as favourites against croatia. France i reckon have a slightly better team than belgium but if you beat brazil in a world cup you would feel invincible.