2026 WC USA (et al): Worldwide Opponents Watch [all R's]

I’m sure it’s not just a Fox thing.

 

So . . . Cristiano is gonna go for 4 today?

 

If he doesn't he's washed

 

Ronaldo isn't gonna score that's my prediction, I love DR Congo +.5 halftime, and +1.5 full time, then if it holds up, hedge the other way for Portugal later to find a later winner (minute 50-70 or so). I'm sure I'm wrong lol, but I really like DR Congo, I think they're just a tiny smidge below Senegal.

 

I'd watch Telemundo even without water breaks, but no habla espanol, unfortunately.

 

Portugal v Congo Dr…Let’s go…C Ronaldo starts

 

1-0 Portugal…that’s quick

 

I was about to post about how disrespectful the announcers were of DR Congo lol. Then Goal before I could even get my fingers to the keyboard. They did give up an earlier goal in the win or your out playoff with Nigeria this past winter, and ended up winning that to move on, hopefully this will push them to get a bit more aggressive, they have pace, they can put pressure on Portugal. They may get hammered for it, but at this point, they've got to try and use their athleticism and pace to make a game of this.

 

Nice response by Congo after falling behind, though now it seems Portugal has settled back into it

 

Fernando gets a yellow. Ronaldo should also get a yellow for arguing

 

I can see Congo get an upset.

 

Jimmy Durante rep!

 

Yep, and now you see it, they start fighting and now they've generated 2 goal scoring opportunities in 5 minutes. These guys aren't Cape Verde (and I like Cape Verde), they have elite attacking talent. They are just a step below that Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast level, they are absolutely not in that Cape Verde, Tunisia caliber level.

 

Is that Portugal on the field or St. Louis City?

 

Portugal is intimidating despite having to play around CR7. Imagine how much more threatening they'd be if they had another viable attacker to actually drag defenders around...

 

haven't seen a shot of the "Lumumba statue fan" among the DRC supporters and I'm starting to get worried that the CIA took him out too...

 

I just have to say, personally, after watching WC '22, and Euro '24, I cannot for the life of me understand why in the ---- they continue to let this guy dictate squat. He may not be washed, but he's actively harmed Portugal's ability to perform in 2 consecutive tournaments, why are they asking him to do more of the same a third consecutive time? ---- him. I don't give a ---- about his ego, retire his ---.

It should have been obvious 3.5 years ago at Qatar that he was no longer helping and actually a hindrance and yet here they are worrying about his ego, worrying about him keeping pace with an old player (Messi) who is obviously far more positive and impactful than he is with his native country. If he won't retire, retire him yourself. This team is far better w/o him, hell they won Euro '16, when he was still on the edge of his prime, w/o him, it's a decade later and he's nowhere near his prime. It's just ludicrous.

 

He couldn't get a visa in time, news came out a couple of months ago. Apparently the fans, or the team or both, got the DR Congo Government to get him a special diplomatic visa of some sort to attend the match with the Uzbek's, which honestly, is the one game they definitely should win.

I'm not in the know btw, I just randomly ran into a tweet this morning that referenced that he'd actually be able to come for at least one of the games. The guy is an absolute hero, just amazing. Absolutely love what that dude does. I actually used him to help teach my class about Decolonization and the Cold War in Africa.

 

Ah, I misunderstood the headlines on this story, I thought the DRC had stepped in and secured him a visa for the whole tournament.

Oh well, there goes that joke

 

Maybe you're right, I just saw a reference for the Uzbek match, but that would make sense too. Not sure, I just sleepily read a tweet a couple of hours ago lol.

 

I appreciate that we're both too lazy / uninvested to look up the actual story.

I forgot how painful it can be to watch Roberto Martinez teams. Might I suggest putting one or two of your *counts attackers* 6 players who are positioned along the attacking line into the midfield to shuttle the ball??

 

Omg, tie game

 

it had been coming! Emphatic header off a recycled corner

 

1-1. Before HT.