Well ... it was going to be either Italy or Portugal off. Now it may be both Honestly don't like seeing Italy off. Specially if ends up being a N. Macedonia making it.
I'm no fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, but I really don't see him NOT getting the job done against North Macedonia. I'd rather see him in the World Cup than Italy.
Portugal should be able to get the job done ... yeah. Really wanted to see that Italy x Portugal play off though. Shame.
Peru had a disallowed goal and somehow, it's Brazil's i.e. #VARSIL fault according to some netizens on social media
Not just social media platforms... on this very site there are plenty of embittered posters who use that "varsil" nonsense. Odd given one of the titles their team included a flagrantly illegal hand touch. Then again, given many people in the country those posters are from call that player "god," that's the kind of behavior you get....
Why call me a clown all of a sudden? haha I just pointed out that some on social media are quick to blame Brazil for every misfortune they've got, to the point they created the infamous #VARSIL hashtag to vent their frustrations. Besides, i'm merely a messenger, so why shoot me, Mr. Mod?
Germany beat Italy 5-2 after being up 5-0. This was, by the way, the first-ever German victory over Italy in an official competition. And, England was humiliated at home 0-4 by Hungary (which did not reach Qatar).
Champions League Draw held today: GRUPOS DEFINIDOS! 🤩 E TUDO PODE ACONTECER! 🔥 Você assiste a todos os jogos na @TNTbr e na @HBOMaxBR (https://t.co/p4f90hUZKO) a partir do dia 06/09! #CasaDaChampions pic.twitter.com/TDdPRMfJ15— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) August 25, 2022
Joelinton with a goal and dominant display today, once again showing Tite why he should have been included in the world cup squad. Bruno G another great game. Newcastle won 3-0 away to Leicester and are now 2nd in the premier league ahead of Man City
Moving club soccer posts here. A lot of those posts were concentrated in the "seleção" thread for players who merited a call-up, but the next seleção match isn't until March and there will be tons of club soccer that belongs here in this thread until then.
Casemiro is really bossing at ManU. He has been a central part of their transformation. At the time I thought it was a bad move, but his stock has gone even higher with this move so far. He is going to be tough for us to replace.
It's funny watching English pundits discover Casemiro. I do like that at Man Utd his role is more versatile. He could still be a starter for us in 2026, but I agree, replacing him is going to be difficult. And if he is a starter for us in 2026, he'll be 34 then, and playing a very demanding role.
One transfer that flew under the radar for me was Abner Vinicius to Real Betis. He's only played twice for them (including today against Barcelona) but with Betis fighting for a Conference or Europa League spot, he's in a good place to grow and test himself next season hopefully.
Champions League (and Europa and Conference) are back this week. On Thursday I watched a bit of the Monaco game, wanted to see Caio Henrique. Didn't really stand out. Statistically had an average game (6.5 on sofascore) and was fine I guess. He does have a good delivery. I do want to see him called up in March. The only established option on the left is Alex Sandro. (Arana is still injured, Telles is still injured). Richarlison is back in action for Tottenham, with a couple of appearances off the bench so far. In addition to a full weekend of League matches in Europe, I'm looking forward to Liverpool x Real Madrid next week (Tuesday) and the return leg of Man Utd x Barcelona, which was a ton of fun to watch this week.
When Madrid were down 1x0 today and gave up the second goal when Courtois miscontrolled and slipped what did you think? Well, Vini Jr brought them back to 2x2, thanks to a brilliant goal and an awful Alisson blunder. Then in the second half they went on to win 5x2 with a goal by Militão and 2 by Benzema. So Madrid begin this season's knockout rounds with another crazy comeback, just not a last-minute one. Vini Jr. had the highest rating of the match, and got MotM. Modric was great too, and beat Fabinho so easily on the play for the 5th goal. Rodrygo was just average, but he started on the right-wing instead of his preferred roles.
Good round for some Brazilians this week - Fred and Antony scored to help Man Utd advance and knock out Raphinha's Barcelona. Casemiro continues to be a stalwart in the center of midfield for his new team. Arthur Cabral started and scored for Fiorentina. Monaco lost at home 3x2 and then lost on penalties. Caio Henrique was mostly fine again, providing good service, but I thought he was at fault for the first goal they gave up. Juventus won away from home with a Di Maria hat trick. Their backline was 100% Brazilian as it often is this season: Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo, and all of them rated well. This weekend Man Utd faces Newcastle for the League Cup final. Quite a few Brazilians in that one.
After all of our confusion watching Casemiro pick Man Utd last Summer, wondering why he'd do that, he has led them to their first title in 6 years. Have to give him credit for what he has meant to this team, how he's helped Eric Ten Haag in this new era and for his ambition to win titles somewhere new. Casemiro scored the winning goal. Fred and Antony also started. The weekend in Spain was unexpected. Real Madrid drawing Atletico wasn't unthinkable, but the way it happened was surprising. Then Barcelona went and lost to a team in the relegation fight that gave up 6 goals last week. And all of that leading up to the Clásico for Copa del Rey this Thursday! The rest of Europe will also play Cup matches, so some Brazilians will also be in action for the FA Cup and a few league matches as well. Martinelli scored the winner for Arsenal this weekend and they're going to try and extend their lead this week. Gabriel Jesus still out but Gabriel and Martinelli starting almost every match for them.
Richarlison is getting his first start as a number 9 today for Tottenham. So far he has either played instead of Kulusevski or Son on the right or left. This is something I expected to see a little more of with rotation, but also because if Kane leaves, Richarlison becomes their de facto number 9. It's a Cup game against a lower division team, but if he does well it could help him finally start scoring regularly for them.
In an interview yesterday after Tottenham were eliminated by Milan, Richarlison complained about his playing time and lack of starts. Not a good luck on its own, but considering the team's current state, a lot of Tottenham fans seemed to take his side as they want Conte out and wanted to see more offense with the talent they have. But in the short term it will probably get him benched unless Conte leaves before the end of the season. In Europa League today the game with the most Brazilians was Man Utd 4x1 Betis. Betis could have been ahead 2x1 at the half as they hit the post, but Utd dominated the second half and scored 3 times. Antony scored the winner on his trademark shot and the Man Utd Brazilians got good ratings. Abner Vinicius, at left-back for Betis got the worst rating of the match though as a lot of good work for Man Utd happened on his side.
Some major injury updates this week. Diego Carlos is back on the bench for Aston Villa. He had been out since August 13 after rupturing his achilles tendon. Gabriel Jesus played 15 minutes today, his first game back since the World Cup injury. He looks ready and really should have scored once. It looks like he is ready to be a part of their final push for the title. They have 11 matches left in the PL and a 5 point lead. Marquinhos meanwhile will probably miss the last PSG match before the international break, but should be available for Brazil.