PBP Thread: Match #5, France vs Australia, 16 June 2018 [R]

I think it looks like Pogbas goal.

 

Those watching FS1, did someone just say "F*** me!" @ the 4th minute of OT?

 

Its Pogba’s goal for sure.

Damnit we’ve just had an awful, awful match.
But I expected it so I’ll deal with the 3 points xD

 

This group is going to be tight. The Aussies and the Danes are exactly the type of teams that give a lot of issues to the French, and Peru is a small team facing two of the biggest squads.

IMO, this is the GoD.

 

Completely undeserved. Must be heartbreaking for the Aussie fans.

The french look bored, like they couldn't wait to get off the field to do something more interesting. Australia actually looks quite strong. Very confident on the ball. This group is wide open.

 

Australia can definitely advance. They're better than Denmark and Peru and should win against at least one of them.

 

I've actually said before the game started that I see them defeating Peru and tieing both France and Denmark. And it was so close for them to get 1 pt against France. Really unlucky

 

France didn't really deserve 3 points from this match. It was mostly a bore-fest but, in the process, Australia served notice that it will be competing for one of the places in the R16.

 

GoD?

 

Group of Death. Second highest median Elo ratings & second lowest spread (standard deviation), while the #1 group in both is Brazil's and in that Brazil is clearly head and shoulders above the other three.

In Group C, that's not the case for France.

 

That France left Benzema at home is a catastrophic tournament killing mistake. I never thought Griezmann was a guy who could lead a team's forward line and Mbappe is too young.

 

Actually I think they did. They didn't deserve the "high favorite" role given to them for this match, nor the expectations they would win 3 or 4-0. But France was the best team, they had the best chances etc.
They sort of deceived. But still the 3 points for them is perfectly ok. A draw would have been too hard. And too good for what the Aussis presented.
Australia looked good just because they played against one of the title candidates. But this title candidate didn't present itself as title candidate (yet).

 

Impressive VAR.

If it was used in 1982 and 1986, Harald Schumacher would be sent off and Maradona's goal would be refused.

 

Much as I'm disappointed we didn't hang on for a point I tend to agree with your assessment. I thought we played well and defended strongly, but in the end the better side won. I'm hoping we can get something out of the other two games.

 

Hernandez will surely be nominated for an Oscar next year

 

What? Hernandez has been getting fooled for real all match man xD
Actually one of the very few french that didn’t disappoint.

 

You are being a good sport, but the game I saw, could (and should have) ended in a draw. France might have been the "better team" overall, but that better team didn't do much to deserve 3 points, especially considering they are rated as one of the title contenders.

 

I knew Australia would fight. (Just like they did in a more difficult group in 2014.)

France may not have played well but to me the sign of a great team is finding ways to win when they play badly.

That and Australia came to fight physically and foul which made things very difficult.

 

Yup.
And the Hawkeye goal line technology helped out with a goal when the refs were not certain.

For me this game was a win for those who think technology is needed in futbol and a loss for the "purists" who do not want technology to be a part of the game.

 

Unlike WC14, it's clear Australia will not go pointless. I can see them drawing both Denmark and Peru, maybe even with a healthy dose of luck beating one of them.

 

And even if they don't get a point, they should give good fits to both.

 

At least, France won without an own goal, and that is what counts XD

 

Gotta eliminate the computer-generated piece, they use the same stock image on every goal decision.

Obviously, every goal will appear *valid* if the same stock image is used. Gotta use real video.