# 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:** 53
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1042 "2018-07-01T14:25:24Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > If you take a free kick, put it right into the box and it bounces off a defender’s calf and into the net, should you not at least get credited with an Assist? Makes sense to me. Like what if you intentionally kick the ball off the a defender’s back to score? Not sure I’ve even seen that happen, but it seems like it could in some situations. In hockey and basketball, a player on the offensive team actually gets credit for the goal (or basket). ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1043 "2018-07-01T14:41:54Z")
Shakira gives a penalty and the Motherland strikes. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1044 "2018-07-01T14:42:44Z")
Well well, 1-1. Russia looking better. Spain has exactly 1 shot on goal, but that’s about to change. Also Pique on a yellow card could have a longer term impact. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1045 "2018-07-01T14:47:47Z")
What a stupid way to get a yellow card. Well deserved. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1046 "2018-07-01T15:19:15Z")
Spain looks very lifeless and uninspired. High possession of course, but no ideas and no dynamic play. Reminds me of Germany in the group stage. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1047 "2018-07-01T15:33:26Z")
Spain needs someone with some speed that can create his own shot. Maybe like Saul Niguez? ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1048 "2018-07-01T15:35:17Z")
We’re past the 75th minute. Do Spain have a shot on target yet? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1049 "2018-07-01T15:51:24Z")
I really can’t say that I’m eager to watch this for another 30 minutes… ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1050 "2018-07-01T15:54:58Z")
It’s a shame that Russia don’t have the quality to punish Spain on the counterattack. If I never have to watch another side as aimless in possession as Spain today it’ll be too soon. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1051 "2018-07-01T15:56:52Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > We’re past the 75th minute. Do Spain have a shot on target yet? Technically Spain had 5 shots on goal, but I really only saw 1 legitimate chance in the 2nd half. Russia defenders look completely winded, but both teams have 1 change to make. Didn’t this whole Russian team get caught for doping? Doesn’t seem to be doing them any good at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1052 "2018-07-01T15:57:40Z")
The Russian team looks like, _maybe_ they could beat Real Salt Lake. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1053 "2018-07-01T15:58:22Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I really can’t say that I’m eager to watch this for another 30 minutes… I agree. So disappointing after yesterday’s matches. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1054 "2018-07-01T15:58:27Z")
Either way, things are looking pretty rosy for England. And Belgium probably kicking themselves for beating England. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1055 "2018-07-01T16:03:27Z")
People thought getting Iceland was an advantage… ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1056 "2018-07-01T16:19:13Z")
New idea for games ending in ties in the knockout rounds: Neither team advances and the other team in the bracket gets a bye. This has been terrible to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1057 "2018-07-01T16:24:38Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Either way, things are looking pretty rosy for England. And Belgium probably kicking themselves for beating England. I hesitate to even start thinking about it, but it’s not inconceivable that England could win it. Obviously there are better teams, so they’d have to pull out a couple of stellar performances, but it’s not like anyone is looking ruthlessly dominant this year. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1058 "2018-07-01T16:27:30Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > I hesitate to even start thinking about it, but it’s not inconceivable that England could win it. Obviously there are better teams, so they’d have to pull out a couple of stellar performances, but it’s not like anyone is looking ruthlessly dominant this year. They’d likely be favorites in every game except the final if Russia wins this one. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1059 "2018-07-01T16:31:50Z")
Let’s see if the penalty shootout will be as lousy as the match. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1060 "2018-07-01T16:32:42Z")
Penalties. So which goalie has the advantage? The one who’s practically done nothing save-wise for over 2 hours, or the one who had to be on his toes the entire time? Either way, loads of pressure on deGea. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1061 "2018-07-01T16:34:02Z")
Give the Russians credit for doing what they had to do to get the match this far. This Russian team is a reflection of their national character: Dour, brutish, and resilient. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=52) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=54)