New thoughts on advancement predictions after Match day #1?

Argentina is flat. Messi is ..... whatever. Argentina would not be a team that scared me. Croatia #1, Iceland #2, Argentina #3, Nigeria a very distant #4.

 

As I am sure everyone else said, Nigeria really disappointed me. Yes the coach maybe made a few mistakes, but they really got completely outplayed. If Croatia were just more clinical up front near goal, it could have easily been 5-0.

Croatia look like the best team in this group. I am very confident that they will advance.

Then Argentina and Iceland will battle it out for second. I still wouldn't rule out Argentina completely, because they did look very dangerous on some plays. Iceland was superb, but none of the other teams play so defensively. Croatia-Argentina will tell us a lot. I'd say it depends on the result of that game. I believe Iceland will beat Nigeria.

If Croatia beats Argentina, then Croatia and Iceland will likely advance (assuming Iceland beats Nigeria), Iceland and Croatia might play draw in the last match. Otherwise I'd say Croatia and Argentina will advance in either order depending on if it is a draw or win for Argentina.

 

Not sure what game you were watching, but that is bull. They weren't outplayed, Croatia barely created anything and the save for one-two half chances the only other threat Croatia created was from speculative long shots. A 5-0 scoreline was never on the cards. Maybe 3-0 near the end when Nigeria was dejected.

Given offensively Nigeria was even worse.

 

Arg looked flat. I am supporting Iceland. I like their story, I am digging the Viking clap, and their back line looked awesome.

I don't think the will do well letting teams get so deep, but they seemed comfortable like that. They did an amazing job swarmming and closing out on attackers.

Iceland was blessed when Messi failed at the PK. I think with see adjustments in the mid they will do well. I love their attack, but it felt like it took too long to develope

 

In attack Croatia did not create much, but I meant that if they just work on that and get better at finding spaces up front quick enough and more accurate crosses, they could have won 5-0. They completely dominated the midfield. Didn't you see those dangerous passes that Modric and Rakitic were creating from the midfield? The midfielders did the best performance I have seen in the midfield from a tournament so far. The problem was in attack they were off and the crosses were very inaccurate.

 

And if Nigeria worked on this or that or did this or that they would have scored three goals. They did not dominate midfield. Actually Etebo and Ndidi won the midfield battle. As evidenced by their overall stats, including Etebo being fouled 8 times and earning Croatia 2 yellows for their toubles. And no - I did not see those dangerous passes by Modric and Rakitic. I did however see Modric and Rakitic having their pocket picked on more than one occasions and both of them whacking aimlessly at Etebo who they were unable to stop with Modric miraculously not getting a yellow for persistent fouling.

I honestly saw a different game than you. Funnily enough even Croatia fans saw the game more like I did.

 

The coach Rohr has played 4-2-3-1 in five out of six games now this year - ending with a lucky win vs Poland and 4 losses. The only luck Rohr had was after changing to a 3-5-2 formation.

How exactly is Ighalo supposed to score as a lone forward (no matter how terrible he was), if he has failed to do so vs much less compact backlines? If Nigeria can't create opportunities vs Croatia or Poland or Czech Rep, how are they to create them against Iceland?

Rohr needs to change the personnel and needs to change to two forwards. Be it Iwobi + Iheanacho (look vs Argentina) or Iheanacho + Ighalo / Simy.

So yeah... Rohr needs to change something. At minimum Nigeria need two strikers up front.

 

I still have hope that we will get it right. Rohr needs to make changes because if we don't we won't get anything out of the group.

 

In my view Argentina wasn't that bad against Iceland than most people make to be. They were shaky at the back yes but the second half was in full controll of Argentina. Croatia won against Nigeria but a much better effort is needed against Argentina. Nigeria was very disappointing. I had low expectations on Nigeria anyways but I never expected such a bloodless display of them to be honest. I think we will see a slightly improved Nigeria against Iceland. Iceland has slightly improved its chances to get out if this group but I still don't see them making it.

Argentina - Croatia Argentina win or Draw
Nigeria - Iceland Draw
Iceland - Croatia Croatia win
Nigeria - Argentina Argentina win

Croatia 7/ Argentina 7
Croatia 6/ Argentina 5
Iceland 2
Nigeria 1

Argentina - Croatia will determine who tops the group. Iceland finishing third, Nigeria bottom with one point.