I don't agree. The quality level is the same if not better than 4 years ago in France.. but the weather conditions are far worst. Playing in tropical weather drains stamina fast. Teams with deep bench have advantage and they tend to 'look' better.
The way this match went I think Germany could have taken shots at an empty net for a couple of hours and the net will still be unruffled. Dear Germany, if you play stupid soccer for 90 minutes you will end up with 90 minutes of emptiness.
Group B Mexico 1 - 0 Germany Villanueva 59' Colombia 2 - 2 New Zealand Caicedo 10' 63' --- Clegg 3', Lancaster 71' RC: Minota 42' (COL) Colombia --------5pts 3-2 Mexico -----------5pts 2-1 Germany ---------3pts 3-2 New Zealand ---2pts 3-6
We will have to agree to disagree here. I thought the last U20 WC was very strong. This one has had a lot of poor play. Even early in games when teams should be fresh enough to offer basic composure.
Germany went out with a whimper. Didn’t even test the keeper after going behind. Would have been a big shock at the start of the tournament to say that they would be knocked out of this group.
Very good game between Colombia and New-Zealand. A constrat of style between Anglo-Saxon and South American football. Very entertaining. Game became chippy after the red card.
It was mentioned that the fields that are being used is larger than normal for U20? If that is the case then it might explain a bit about how much poor play we see. I do not really think that is the "why" behind so much poor play but it could be a part.
Germany was quite disappointing this tournament. Also, how ironic that Mexico's national team couldn't qualify for the WWC, but their U-20 is advancing to the quarterfinals?
Tim Howard’s cousin playing (unless she is dropped again) for the US team - 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝗜𝘁 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆The cousin of one of the greatest goalkeepers in U.S. history, #U20WYNT 'keeper Mia Justus is carving a path of her own in net 🇺🇸🧤 pic.twitter.com/y6heFAvygn— U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) August 17, 2022
Mexican celebrations - *knock knock* Come on in! Welcome to the #U20WWC quarter-finals, @Miseleccionfem! 🫡🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/ShHV5HhTk8— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 17, 2022
Spain gets their goal. It has been coming for a while but it almost looked like they were toying with Australia. Australia is "almost" good and Spain is good more often. Spain is being quite entertaining today.
Half time and still 2-0. I wonder if Spain will let Australia back in the match or if they will put 'em out of their misery.
Now we have three and it is not that close. When Spain plays like they have the last two matches they are very very good.
I know Spain is well ahead and they have the game put away but they are reverting and sitting back and waiting. They are fortunate that Australia is not good enough to punish them for playing stupidly.
We have an end and it is the end we should have expected. I guess this VAR delay will last for a long time. It means nothing but they have to go through the plodding steps.
I have to give credit to @Lechus7 that he had just praised Linda Caicedo and then she scored again. She looks like an impressive player. And I also like her funny celebration. It's a shame that a good share of the games are in the night for me in Europe. I'll maybe try to watch Japan-USA tonight (starting at 1:00 am for me ), but I can't guarantee that I'll manage to stay awake.
Highlights round 3 Group A Brazil 5 - 0 Costa Rica Rafa Levis 27' 53'(p), Pati Maldaner 63' Aline 75', Mileninha 88'(p) Australia 0 - 3 Spain Gabarro 19' 24' 61' Spain ---------------3m---7p---8-0 Brazil ---------------3m---7p---7-0 Australia -----------3m---3p---3-6 Costa Rica --------3m---0p---1-13 Group B Mexico 1 - 0 Germany Villanueva 59' Colombia 2 - 2 New Zealand Caicedo 10' 63' --- Clegg 3', Lancaster 71' RC: Minota 42' (COL) Colombia ----------3m---5p---3-2 Mexico ------------3m---5p---2-1 Germany ------------3m---3p---3-2 New Zealand -----3m---2p---3-6
Caceido and Reblodo superb for Colombia against New-Zealand. Quite the game with three penalties given for Brazil. The hijo de puta were in force in the crowd when the third pen was given. VAR was used a lot, Esther Saubli was the VAR, the referee seem to defer to her a lot during the game.
Brazil was one goal away from getting first place, we wasted a penalty... While I wanted to avoid Colombia for regional bragging rights, Colombia is a better match for Brazil. Mexico is full of confidence after Germany game.
This American team basically bypass midfield almost every time they get the ball. Trying to get 1v1 battles high up the pitch and attempting to win the pace battle in those match ups. Surprised Shaw hasn’t started if this is a plan. The passing at times has been of a poor standard. This Japan team isn’t close to being as good as the last U20 WC team. No shame in that because that team was one of the best youth teams I have seen. America are leaving lots of defensive gaps on the counter. Full backs playing very high up the pitch.
Japan's "problem" is not really that they are not quite as good as earlier U20 teams but, rather, it is that they are too unselfish. Their players are passing up a number of good or great attacking chances so as to try to bring more players into the fray. It is almost like they are playing a little "game" that teams play to hold down the score where every player must touch the ball in run of play before a shot can be even attempted. But Japan needs to listen a bit to the old saying, "Nice guys (or gals) finish last." The US' problem is even simpler, they need to play like the match matters. Right now they do not seem interested in winning any more than Japan does.