# 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:** 70
**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 6, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1382 "2018-07-06T17:16:31Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > I’m a Dortmund fan so it was exciting to hear that we have the next CR7, Pogba and Iniesta. I love optimism but… > > [x.com](https://mobile.twitter.com/BVB_Network/status/1015270254472122368) Didn’t mention the next Pele (Pulisic). 😃 ---
**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 6, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1383 "2018-07-06T17:18:30Z")
Buffon to PSG on a one year contract. ---
**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 6, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1384 "2018-07-06T17:31:53Z")
Martinez going with the back 3. Gonna be a fun one. Belgium backers, get your excuses ready! Meanwhile, deserving win by France. They seem to be getting stronger each game. Incidentally, about the no call on the foul in the box on Godin. THAT was borderline, and twice as bad as what was done to Kane. The commentators on Fox also suggested that Kane would have gotten that call. Would have completely changed the game. And if Neymar has to dive a bit because he is being fouled, that is a necessary part of the game. If refs aren’t calling the fouls or showing cards, he has no choice. Alexi Lalas just happens to be saying the exact thing as I’m typing this. And as I said, not the pretend crying and theatrics. Do it in a professional way, like everyone else does it. ---
**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 6, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1385 "2018-07-06T17:47:58Z")
With the EPL-heavy lineups (especially Belgium), there will be quite a few players that know each other well. Plus, you have Meurnier vs quite a few of his PSG teammates, and Willian vs. his Chelsea teammates. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1386 "2018-07-06T18:05:19Z")
Marcelo has been caught out twice in first 3 minutes. ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1387 "2018-07-06T18:12:42Z")
[https://mobile.twitter.com/BVB\_Network/status/1015293833301524480](https://mobile.twitter.com/BVB_Network/status/1015293833301524480). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1388 "2018-07-06T18:16:03Z")
And now it’s game on!! How long before Brazil answer? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1389 "2018-07-06T18:17:14Z")
Fernandhinio scores. Against his own net. Basically, defenders are so used to passing and defending against the little guys, they have no idea anymore how to protect against big guys. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1390 "2018-07-06T18:17:59Z")
And Own Goal continues its consideration for the Golden Boot. I wonder how long it’ll take Brazil to start the flop-fest now that they’re behind. ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1391 "2018-07-06T18:22:49Z")
Very busy and eventful match so far. I like it. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1392 "2018-07-06T18:24:41Z")
Great to see Belgium pushing for a second. ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1393 "2018-07-06T18:26:50Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Great to see Belgium pushing for a second. They are dangerous on the counter-attack, but a bit wonky on the defense. ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1394 "2018-07-06T18:33:01Z")
Aaand 2-0 on the counter-attack after a corner! (I love it when this happens :D) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1395 "2018-07-06T18:33:23Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Great to see Belgium pushing for a second. And getting it. Of course Marcelo got caught out. ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1396 "2018-07-06T18:33:27Z")
7-1 again? ---
**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:** [July 6, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1397 "2018-07-06T18:35:51Z")
STRIKER!!! that was liquid football! I’m not sure that Lukaku can be tackled by mortal man. If you look in the dictionary under “big unit” it simply says “see Lukaku” ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1398 "2018-07-06T18:36:21Z")
This is what I feared. Still not over. Brazil far more fluid and threatening, but got caught being reckless on defense. ---
**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 6, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1399 "2018-07-06T18:39:03Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > STRIKER!!! that was liquid football! > > I’m not sure that Lukaku can be tackled by mortal man. If you look in the dictionary under “big unit” it simply says “see Lukaku” The OG Big Unit 😉 > **[Randy Johnson](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Johnson)** > > Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "the Big Unit", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2009) for six teams, primarily the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. > At 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 metres) tall, Johnson was the tallest player in MLB history when he entered the league, contributing to his extremely intimidating persona and pitching style. He is particularly known for his overpowering fastball ... ---
**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:** [July 6, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1400 "2018-07-06T18:41:32Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > The OG Big Unit 😉 > > [Randy Johnson - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Johnson) I didn’t know there was an original. He is a big lad isn’t he? Let’s make Lukaku “le unite grande!” In other news, Belgium are looking really dangerous on the break. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1401 "2018-07-06T18:42:54Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I didn’t know there was an original. > > He is a big lad isn’t he? Let’s make Lukaku “le unite grande!” > > In other news, Belgium are looking really dangerous on the break. If you want some fun, do a search for “Randy Johnson hits bird.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=69) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=71)