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

Fans paid all that money to see CR7 do nothing. Sad.

 

Impressive showing by Congo. Well deserved point.

 

Those of us who watched ManU this season were wondering what Bruno’s role is in tat donut formation that Martinez has devised.

 

It was hilarious to see that one shot of the stands, and there were like 4 guys in a row with #7 jerseys. Absolute losers. With so many fabulous players, I'm starting to get why Portugal is idiotically frightened of retiring his washed ---. The fans are delusional. W/all that talent, put on a new Jersey of one of your younger stars lol. Oh, and yes I was laughing when the pregame was all about Ronaldo catching up to Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland, meanwhile I'm looking for a way to bet the under on Ronaldo goals (and I'm talking U0.5, not some other #).

I gave DR Congo about a 35% chance of getting something out of this and I'm ecstatic for them. Now they just need to get the job done against the Uzbek's and they are through, if they can get something done against Colombia all the better. Meanwhile, Portugal is in deep doo doo. They wrap up qualification in the Miami hellscape heat zone against Colombia, they are going to melt into the turf in that match with any luck. My little Colombia bets to win the group are looking good (too bad I didn't take DR Congo as an extreme longshot).

 

I have to repeat my astonishment at how good some of those tackles were by Congo. Not just solid, but also really clean; I don't know how the earlier match was, but what I saw from Congo looked like the opposite of cynical football. They weren't time-wasting, I didn't see any dirty fouls; just kept playing till the whistle. Good stuff.

 

Portugese fans (online) do not like Ramos much for the National Team.

 

Unlike Messi Ronaldo is washed at this point. Which is too bad cause Portugal has an incredible midfield.

 

Man, Ramos must REALLY fail to show up for his NT if the better option is what we just saw. Genuine "crisis" territory for them

 

This was before today's game. Maybe they are more receptive now.

 

No, they are traditionally ugly team. Faking injuries, diving, dirty plays, time wasting, you name it - they got it.

 

Surely not with the world class LB and CM. top end talent on the wings. Cancelo and their CBs are very strong if not elite but under world class. The squad is filled with high-level players and should absolutely be considered a contender.

 

Went looking for some discussion about this, and was surprised to see that some Portuguese fans blame bad NT performances on Jorge Mendes... I thought only Benfica and Porto supporters did that!

I'm sure he's as evil and corrupt as the other "super agents" but they treat him like a freakin' Batman villain. His influence is seemingly limitless when it comes to Portuguese soccer...

 

Messi is also just additive, period. He's basically like a HOF PG, that may not have his pace anymore, but he still can find his way to the the rim, and he still can'see all the perfect passes and execute them with exquisite court vision whereas Ronaldo is like Trace McGrady, or Shaun Marrion etc, the athleticism is gone, he can't run out the stadium anymore, and so unless he gets the ball perfectly, he adds nothing. This has always been true w/both of them, but with time, Messi's strength's continued to hold, other than his explosive pace, while Ronaldo's deteriorated. It's like the WR that depends on his 40 time, and explosive leaping ability compared to a reasonably fast guy who runs perfect routes and has exquisite hands.....when the athleticism leaves, do you still have the tools to matter or not? Messi does, Ronaldo doesn't and Portugal idiotically continues to allow him to prove it.

 

Yeah when I think back on it I didn't like them very much pre Ronaldo. Made the 2002 US win over them even more satisfying

 

Portugal created 0.00(xGOT) after the 6th minute against DR Congo.

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) June 17, 2026

 

let's go Croatia!

 

So not disagreeing with this at all but I think it also matters Messi is 38 and Ronaldo is 41. Between now and 41 I’m sure Messi will lose something also.

 

England v Croatia…Let’s go. Musa, an active MLSer starts for Croatia

 

You may remember the 2002 anecdote about how when the US was losing to Poland, Portugal could still go through if they beat S. Korea, who was already through. According to South Korean players, Portugal players supposedly asked the South Koreans to let them win so they could both go through. If true...ew.

 

so much for Tuchel whinging about the ref lmao

 

Wrong ball, modric

 

Looks like he got the ball to me.

 

HUGE SAVE WOWWWWWW

edit: noooo they're gonna get the GK for encroachment??? booooooooo

edit2: okay, fine, not the GK, but it was encroachment. I'm more okay with that call...

 

bwahahahhaaaaahaaaa

 

Kane should not start also. Missed a PK?