I thought I'd create a thread to cover Wctopics other than Germany. I don't think such a thread exists, if it does moderators please feel free to delete.
I created the above thread just so I'd have a place to discuss the opening match, Mexico vs. South Africa.(among other non-Germany related WC 2026 items). Personally I thought it was an embarrassment. This isn't about the red cards, RSA looked like they didn't belong. Each of the matches should have some level of competitiveness. Finland, who Germany beat 4-0 would have been a better opponent. Thoughts? Was Mexico just that good or was RSA really bad?
Germany beat Brazil 7-1 '14 Chile beat Mexico 7-0 '16 Mexico beat Germany 1-0 '18 Saudi Arabia beat Argentina 2-1 '22 Long shots are fun to watch and bet on. You bet $5 then hope your luck hits and that +30000 shot wins u $1500. Can never be 100% sure what will happen. Where the unexpected happens is where the magic is.
I think a bit of both - Mexico with their young team have been great inform last months and RSA just lacked quality last night . I recon from all the hosts Mexico could be a bit of a dark horse this tourney, but all depends on the brackets obviously.
Korea was also the better team against Czechs.. Kudos on them from coming back 0-1 as well. I recon Mexico and Korea will advance from Group A, after last nights matches
I think South Africa are a very weak team and from the first few minutes I expected the match will end with embarrasement result. However , South Africa keeper made some good saves and Mexico did do not show they are interested in scoring many goals especially after the dismmissal of 2 RSA players.
Wow, I was about to post about Brazil being embarrassed, but Morocco was just ranked 1 below on Fifa ratings. Looks like Africa is making a real splash now.
I wanted to comment on the U.S. paraguay game. Either the U.S. is now a powerhouse or Paraguay is another team that doesn't belong. Turkiye against the U.S. should be interesting.
Brazil outplayed by the strong Moroco. Morocco can be the dark horse, very strong technic and high press style of play. Brazil is another nation that have been struggled since they lost to us 7-1 at their home soil
I'm going to have to disagree. As a neutral (Germany or Canada weren't playing) it looked like a beat down, especially the first half. Nice to see the goals, but there was none of the back and forth that would be exciting for me. Like the Germany -Swiss game.
Brazil and Morocco are definitely advancing from their group. What a poor match between Haiti and Scotland.
Seems we have a few surprises in this World Cup - turkey dominating Australia but 2-0 down . Switzerland dominating conceding a late goal 1-1 against Qatar. Germany need to be really carefully tonight , they must not get frustrated if things don’t go their way immediately .
So am really interested to see how Japan and Netherlands will play out - both teams have some players missing but both teams on paper can win it - hopefully will be a great game like a 3-2 to either side - can’t decide who will Win that one
Marocco is a very disciplined team very hard to beat these last 4 years . A draw was on the cards for this match .
Hopefully by the time that match rolls around...we might be secured with 1st and a tie would put us both through.
Spain very dominant against Cape Verde but no result, yet … anyway seems germany had a few lessons in their history and figured out how to play against low block teams , rest of the nations still have to learn