Ten teams won their groups to secure World Cup qualification: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the play-offs will be contested by Austria (via UNL), Czech Republic (via UNL), Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales. Basically there are 6 seeded teams and 6 unseeded teams, divided into 3 groups (each group has 2 seeded and 2 unseeded teams) and only the winner of each group will qualify (so 3 out of 12). Now it all depends on the draw. Imagine if Portugal and Italy in the same bracket.
Argentine Brazil 0-0. Brazil already qualified. Argentine will soon as they are 12 pts ahead of the next team with 4 matches left. Poor Mexico has to play in -9 deg C (with windchill = -15 deg C) on a field which 10-15 cm of snow was cleared and lost to Canada 1-2.
Watched Germany vs Italy and finally Mancini reshuffles the whole team after getting thrashed by Argentina. Finally game for the Roma contingent and they deliver. No jorginho, veratti, barella immobile, belotti. Though their backline still needs alot of work to be done which will take time. This is what I like about Mancini he never backs away from trying new things and this is how he brought up Italy from the slump when he took over. Their new boy scamacca whom If I recall correctly had few season in eredivisie could be next break out star and whom a lot of clubs are tracking. Again credit to mancini for giving him the benfit of doubt. Germany just look to be be there from where they left off. They will go far as well in the WC. 1-1 in the end.
£50 million for Aké https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/18786140/newcastle-ake-transfer-man-city-howe/
Make it happen!! Ake is in his prime age, and he needs to play a lot of minutes. I hope City don’t hold him ransom.. geez, they are already filthy rich, stop being greedy. Oh, while we are at it… how about taking Bergwijn along? Anywhere but Spurs when he’s rotting on the bench.
France drew with Austria tonight and are bottom of their Nations League group. Either they are just showing up and coasting or Deschamps is the worst manager in the world. Both are likely true.
They really need to stop starting Griezmann he’s finished, nkunku is a much better player in that position
France lost again, and mathematically couldn’t win the group… 4 plays, 2 draws and 2 losses - with only 2 games to go. Bottom of the table, could be relegated until the ship is turned around fast
Of course the Nations League are glorified friendlies and I don't know if Deschamps job is on the line. Rumors are that Zidane wants the job after the WC but maybe that gets moved up given the performances.
I havent looked at this current Brazil in depth, but I wonder if lack of height might be the same problem again for them this world cup https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMN7KdWgT/
I read that France will be without both Kante and Pogba in the World Cup… There goes their midfield experience out the window. The two have almost 150 caps combined. Hmmm.
You can’t be serious? France is massively talented but equally overrated and overhyped. Some very dysfunctional players in their squad. No one to fear in this upcoming World Cup. Some good teams and players of course but everyone has question marks. Potentially Oranje can be very tough team for anyone to face. Respect for your opponents but nothing to fear.
What about portgual? Can they pull it. They defintely have all the tools. In tight group though, if they come out winners in the group. They will definitely have a good momentum going forward. between NT and them, I see the have better chance of winning.
The point is their depth is such that it isnot funny. They lose a couple of players and they simply replace them with equally good ones, unless it's Mbappe.
France might get hit with the Champions curse again, just like they did in 2002, or Italy 2010, or Spain 2014 or Germany 2018. None of those teams made it out of the group stage
They will be without Jota and a semi-washed up Ronaldo. I still wouldnt count them out, they could possibly make the final. They are a very good team. Their bracket doesnt help though
France arguably underachieved at Euro 2021, were unconvincing in WC 2022 qualification, and weren't good in the latest Nations League competition. They have more talent and depth than anyone (with the possible exception of Brazil) - but the whole seems like less than the sum of the parts lately.
I thought the same thing then the VAR footage showed a piece of a foot off. It’s truly outrageous. I think the offsides rule needs to be redefined with the attacker needing to be completely offside only when their full body is beyond the last defender. Give the attacker the benefit of the doubt and enough of this VAR picking out a finger, foot, elbow. or hair for offsides.