# World Cup 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 7, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615 "2018-06-07T18:09:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 38
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/741 "2018-06-26T03:09:34Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Just watched the last 30 minutes of the Spain game. Before the tournament, I thought their ability to score was in question, but that the defense was a guarantee. Giving up 3 goals to Portugal should have been a clue. Now I think Uruguay will knock them out this weekend. Spain plays Russia. They also have a most likely (although a ton of uncertainty) path of Russia -\> Croatia -\>Belgium/England path to the finals. I think they make it. Portugal might have a tough time with Uruguay though. And if they make it they’ll probably also have to go through France and Brazil. That PK makes a huge difference. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/742 "2018-06-26T10:04:27Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Spain plays Russia… :smack: but that’s what happens when I post half-asleep. :D. In that case, Spain has a chance to fix things but that defense looks like Swiss cheese. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/743 "2018-06-26T14:35:19Z")
Am I the only one watching Australia and Peru? As an Aussie fan, I need Australia to win, and France to beat Denmark. France probably aren’t especially motivated, given that they’re already guaranteed a place in the next round, but that’s irrelevant right now anyway, as the Aussies are down 1-0 to a very nice 18th-minute goal by Peru. Come on Socceroos! ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/744 "2018-06-26T14:38:16Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > :smack: but that’s what happens when I post half-asleep. :D. In that case, Spain has a chance to fix things but that defense looks like Swiss cheese. You just don’t get it- Spain is the hipster team in the WC. _“Defending? Pfff! That’s so prosaic! We don’t play ‘matches’ we make artistic performances by fielding ten midfielders.”_ ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/745 "2018-06-26T15:11:26Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Come on Socceroos! So much for that! Peru score another in the first five minutes of the second half. Adios, Australia! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/746 "2018-06-26T15:54:16Z")
And it’s over. Well done Peru. Deserved the victory. I set my alarm for 6.45 to watch this game. Should have stayed in bed! ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/747 "2018-06-26T15:54:59Z")
Hoping for Argentine and Croatian victories later in the day. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/748 "2018-06-26T15:57:36Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > And it’s over. Well done Peru. Deserved the victory. Peru with its first World Cup win since 1978! Peru might have advanced with some better fortune. They lost their first two matches by 1-0 scores. A missed PK in their first match was huge. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Rock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/art_rock/32/525_2.png) [@Art\_Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Art_Rock)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/749 "2018-06-26T16:07:50Z")
I’m glad I did not bother to see France-Denmark and/or Australia-Peru. Now, the other games of today should be interesting! ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/750 "2018-06-26T17:02:11Z")
Blargh, Denmark 0-France 0… that stinks of “non-aggression pact”, for a draw guaranteed both teams a pass to the round of 16. Of course, with Peru winning against Australia, the final result would have been the same no matter what the result of the France-Denmark match had been. Still… it doesn’t feel “right” :-/ Indeed, the other two matches of today are going to be much more interesting! Everybody has something to lose and they are going to fight hard. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/751 "2018-06-26T17:41:37Z")
T-20 minutes and let me just say “GANEN O MUERAN” :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/752 "2018-06-26T17:42:56Z")
(not really, but geeez, talk about underperforming) ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/753 "2018-06-26T17:53:14Z")
Are they preparing the guillotine in Buenos Aires? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/754 "2018-06-26T18:13:59Z")
> [@JoseB](#): > > Blargh, Denmark 0-France 0… that stinks of “non-aggression pact”, for a draw guaranteed both teams a pass to the round of 16. I’m not sure what can be done about such matches. There was absolutely zero motivation to go balls-out for the win. If France pushed it they risked Denmark scoring and beating them to first place. Ditto for Denmark but with the added concern of an Australia victory. I can’t really blame either of them but at least this time round the likelihood of such games seems limited. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/755 "2018-06-26T18:15:41Z")
Messi scores! Argentina 1 - Nigeria 0. Very beautiful goal, a nice display of speed and control on the part of the Argentine striker. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/756 "2018-06-26T18:43:00Z")
Bah that makes Icelands task even harder. Come on you ssons of bitches get three against Croatia! ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/757 "2018-06-26T18:49:11Z")
Hands cold, fingers trembling against the keyboard, being so nervous at this stage means your team is not doing so good in the WC… ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/758 "2018-06-26T19:04:01Z")
That makes it easier for Iceland, doesn’t it? If Iceland and Argentina both win 1-0, then Iceland goes through. If Iceland win 1-0 and Argentina draws, then Nigeria goes through. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/759 "2018-06-26T19:11:05Z")
You are right of course. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/760 "2018-06-26T19:12:01Z")
PK against Argentina! Mascherano pushed a Nigerian player in the penalty zone. Yellow card & PK. Moses shoots and scores! Argentina 1 - Nigeria 1. Argentina _ **must** _ react, and react decisively, if they want to go on to the round of 16. It feels as if the Argentinian team is mostly “Messi and 10 other guys”. Messi is an awesome player, but not even the absolute best soccer player in the world can be effective if his teammates are not at the necessary level. ETA: Croatia scores against Iceland! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=39)