In 2014 everyone was praising Germany's development program and expecting them to kick off a dynasty. Not sure what's happened lately, but this team looks very thin and unbalanced with veterans past their prime and youngsters not yet entering their prime.
You should have seen the sports programs in Brazil. Since we were the ones that got humiliated by that Germany, everyone was praising their development system for at least a couple of years and shitting on our lack of it. The criticism was pretty heavy.
Germany's rebuild started from 2006 World Cup when Klinsman introduced plenty of young players with more attacking style. Low continued that and made Germany became top NT team. From 2008-2016, they always at least reached semi final with 2014 was the highest peak. They also won 2017 Confederation cup.
Since they trashed us 7 x 1, Germany has scored only 4 goals in 5 games (including the 2014 final). And today's goal was from the PK spot and the one vs Sweden was that Kroos FK. So just 2 goals from open play in 5 games ...
Switzerland's winner vs Cameroon today was scored by Breel Embolo who was born in Cameroon. He moved to Switzerland at a fairly young age though. I wonder if something like this has happened before in a WC. Scoring against your place of birth country.
Debatable. I referenced it in the 'Random World Cup facts' thread that I've been updating after every match.
That would've been an epic equalizer from Ghana had that attacker successfully stolen the ball off the Portugal GK. I saw it coming, as did probably everyone except the TV director. But he slipped as he turned. Probably should've just back-heeled it into the goal and run off a legend.
Every WC there are teams that impress in the first game and become instant favorites. Then almost all of them fizzle out. It's very hard to play 7 straight excellent matches. It's about who picks up momentum by the knock-out stages.
Well, based off those 45 minutes, Raphinha will come back to Barca well rested. Get ready to see Antony come in.
⭐️ 𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄 𝐋𝐀 𝟏ª 𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀 ⭐️🇸🇦 Mohammed Al Owais🇪🇨 Angelo Preciado🇧🇪 @AlderweireldTob🇯🇵 @kougogo1270🇪🇸 @JordiAlba 🇪🇸 Gavi🇫🇷 Rabiot🏴 @BellinghamJude 🇪🇨 @EnnerValencia14🇫🇷 @_OlivierGiroud_🇧🇷 @richarlison97#Qatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/V1wqVSZFj8— MARCA (@marca) November 24, 2022
Yep. Sadly Neymar seems doomed at WCs. The ankle injury looks similar to the one he picked up pre Copa America that kept him out of it.
Stock of "contenders" after the 1st round of group games: England: Up . Convincing win albeit vs a weak Iran. They were struggling to score at all pre-WC. Argentina: Down . Will have to see how they react after that shocking loss vs Saudi Arabia. France: Slight Up : I'd say slight up because the injuries they endured could have knocked them down a notch Spain: Up. A crushing win vs Costa Rica has raised their stock IMO. Germany: Down. A loss vs Japan and next game vs Spain has their WC chances in serious jeopardy. They have a serious problem scoring goals like in 2018. Portugal: Same. A good win vs Ghana but I think neither sent their stock up or down. Brazil: Same. Good win vs a tough opponent. Toughest out of all of the above. While didn't wow on offense, were solid in all other aspects. Belgium: Down. They were basically dominated by Canada. Don't see how they go very far. Netherlands: Down. Won but didn't exactly impress. After the first round, England, France, Spain, and Brazil look like favorites.