AP's group stage best 11 Iran’s Beiranvand, Spain’s Isco and Portogual’s Ronaldo made the list from this group.
This is a controversial call, but my issue was that your comment said that IFAB stated what they did not, and that by posting that IFAB was making an official statement, it was saing that those opposing the the statemet (msinly the Iranian posters) were wrong. I don't have an issue with stating personal opinion, which has been in good supply and mostly under control. I was jumping on the post before it really ratcheted up.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/29/world-cup-2018-best-team-of-the-tournament-so-far “With the group stage in Russia done and dusted, we reveal our best XI, as voted by Guardian readers” According to our readers, Iran’s Alireza Beiranvand gets the nod in goal and it is difficult to argue with that selection. Had a difficult upbringing and was at one stage sleeping rough in Tehran. He worked in a carwash and as a pizza delivery driver before becoming a professional footballer. He has been brilliant in Russia. Saving a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty against Portugal was only one of the highlights as he has produced several high-calibre stops and started Iran’s attacks with his long and accurate throws. Before the tournament he said: “I want to shine in the World Cup, then maybe I can join a European big club. I’d like to play at Liverpool or PSG.” He will not be short of offers. After the three games he had an average rating of 8.67, the highest of all the players in Russia.
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...wer-rankings-brazil-and-croatia-lead-the-way? 17) Iran Mehdi Taremi may never forget the injury-time miss that, moments after Iran had been given a VAR-aided lifeline against Portugal, would have improbably won them both the match and Group G. He had also fluffed an opportunity to equalise against Spain; Iran looked extremely useful in most departments and would have been a fascinating prospect in the round of 16. 21) Morocco Hervé Renard’s team played with a verve and invention that caused many to swoon but, similarly to Peru, fell short where it mattered. The manner of their defeat to Iran was devastating and they deserved far more against Portugal, too. That made the draw with Spain even more of a frustration; they should have been in a position where it counted for more.
It’s official. Our group sucks. The fact that Portugal and Spain were struggling against those Iranian scrubs is proof. Portugal and Spain weren’t going anywhere.
Spain were a good team, but they made a right mess of it with their coaching change right before the tournament began...
Both teams from the "group of death" (was it ?) out after being elimated by teams from the "group of life".
I still cannot believe that Spain sacked their manager right before the tournament. Its hard to say what would have happened if they didn't, but I doubt we would have seen what we saw today.
Iran will be remembered as a team that sent Portugal down the oblivion path instead of the path through the park.
Portugal could have got Russia in round of 16, Croatia in quarter-finals, Belgium in semi-final and anything could have happened in the final, as we saw during the 2016 Euro. Ronaldo’s legacy as the greatest, was on the line, and Beiranvand sent him and Portugal down the oblivion path! It was sweet karma for all the arrogance shown by the Portuguese team and their fans. So one thing is for sure, Iran and Beiranvand will always be remembered, especially by Ronaldo and all the Portugal fans, in their worst nightmares that is, dreaming about what could have been for them and how Ronaldo’s legacy and the Portuguese dream were derailed by a humble nomad shepherd from the Zagros mountains!
Again, no we will remember how the refs screwed that up for us. Sorry to say that and burst your bubble. Give credit to Iran but the refs and VAR tied that game. And NOBODY will change that. Iran was far from being a "nightmare". The arrogance is more coming from Iran fans like yourself. You guys a great tournament (I guess). But seriously you are celebrating a group exit.
With all teams form this group eliminated, and the dust having settled, let me give my grades on how they each performed and showed in the various categories that are important in my eyes. 1- Spain Overall Strength: 8/10 Effort: 5/10 Execution: 7/10 Tactical Shrewdness: 6/10 Tactical Audaciousness: 5/10 Individual Skill: mean: 9/10 median: 9/10 Physical Prowess: 6/10 Physical Conditioning: 8/10 Psychological Preparedness: 6/10 Team Work: 8/10 Avoiding Critical Mistakes: 6/10 Outstanding Plays: 7/10 Sportsmanship: 7/10 2- Portugal Overall Strength: 8/10 Effort: 7/10 Execution: 7/10 Tactical Shrewdness: 7/10 Tactical Audaciousness: 6/10 Individual Skill: mean: 8/10 median: 6/10 Physical Prowess: 7/10 Physical Conditioning: 8/10 Psychological Preparedness: 8/10 Team Work: 7/10 Avoiding Critical Mistakes: 7/10 Outstanding Plays: 9/10 Sportsmanship: 6/10 3- Iran Overall Strength: 7/10 Effort: 9/10 Execution: 7/10 Tactical Shrewdness: 8/10 Tactical Audaciousness: 5/10 Individual Skill: mean: 6/10 median: 6/10 Physical Prowess: 8/10 Physical Conditioning: 7/10 Psychological Preparedness: 8/10 Team Work: 7/10 Avoiding Critical Mistakes: 8/10 Sportsmanship: 7/10 4- Morocco Overall Strength: 7/10 Effort: 9/10 Execution: 8/10 Tactical Shrewdness: 7/10 Tactical Audaciousness: 8/10 Individual Skill: mean: 8/10 median: 7/10 Physical Prowess: 8/10 Physical Conditioning: 8/10 Psychological Preparedness: 7/10 Team Work: 7/10 Avoiding Critical Mistakes: 5/10 Sportsmanship: 7/10
I think you are jumping the gun. From what I understand, there was a confusion in a test result that has been cleared up and the case has been closed. But as the stories are just emerging, I would wait to learn more about the issue.