# 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:** 77
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1522 "2018-07-07T16:49:33Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > At this rate, all male children born in England the rest of this year are going to be named after Harry, Harry, or Harry. Jordan. Delph said “Hendpo” sent his wife into labour with that penalty miss, but mostly because of Pickford. > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Is England better off on setpieces than other teams? I think I remember earlier in the tournament one of the commentary teams said that, but they seem to score a disproportionate amount of their goals on setpieces Yes, England are better. Only two goals out of 11 now have been scored without being penalties, corners or free kicks. Delph’s header today and Lingard against Panama. > [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > England are going to only have to win one game against a decent team to win this WC. Same as Portugal in the last Euros actually. > > Sweden with a great attack there. Should be 2-1. They’re all decent at this stage of the world cup. ---
**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 7, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1523 "2018-07-07T17:09:16Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > You’re contradicting yourself in this sentence. If the roster and previous results count for nothing, why would it matter if Russia wins? Wouldn’t that win prove that Russia is a better team than Croatia (and Spain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, etc)? > > Of course not, but if you understand that in the case of Russia you should understand that in the case of all the other teams. Croatia could easily make an argument for being the best team in the world right now in July 2018. Evidence: going undefeated thus far and destroying Argentina. Russia can make no such claim. ---
**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 7, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1524 "2018-07-07T17:13:11Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > You must have been watching a different game than me. Brazil dominated from start to finish. Also, the first half and full game stats don’t agree with you. After the accidental own goal, Belgium’s chances all came off breaks as the result of Brazil over aggression. The De Bruyne strike was spectacular, but Belgium wasn’t capable of creating any significant build up or sustained possession. The win was purely the result of good fortune and a goal keeper standing on his head. You are watching a different game. Belgium beat Brazil at their own game and were up 2-0 at the half. They only had to hold on. Stats are fairly meaningless in soccer. They are situational. The only stat that matters is goals. And again Brazil hasn’t shown itself to be a dominate side since 2002. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1525 "2018-07-07T17:32:15Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > You must have been watching a different game than me. Brazil dominated from start to finish. Also, the first half and full game stats don’t agree with you. After the accidental own goal, Belgium’s chances all came off breaks as the result of Brazil over aggression. The De Bruyne strike was spectacular, but Belgium wasn’t capable of creating any significant build up or sustained possession. The win was purely the result of good fortune and a goal keeper standing on his head. possession ≠ domination When Belgium took possession it very often ended with something interesting, Brasil less so. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1526 "2018-07-07T18:00:39Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Martinez going with the back 3. Gonna be a fun one. Belgium backers, get your excuses ready! > … > [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > You must have been watching a different game than me. Brazil dominated from start to finish. Also, the first half and full game stats don’t agree with you. After the accidental own goal, Belgium’s chances all came off breaks as the result of Brazil over aggression. The De Bruyne strike was spectacular, but Belgium wasn’t capable of creating any significant build up or sustained possession. The win was purely the result of good fortune and a goal keeper standing on his head. Mmmmh, the irony is _delicious_… ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1527 "2018-07-07T18:23:52Z")
Kyle Walker’s a [funny guy](https://twitter.com/kylewalker2/status/1015629039103401985). ---
**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1528 "2018-07-07T18:26:33Z")
I can probably find the answer to this elsewhere (maybe in this thread, even), but I’ll just ask: I’m sitting here watching Croatia-Russia and the referee, who appears to be Latin American, periodically scolds the players. What language is he using? I assume he doesn’t speak Russian (and almost certainly not Croatian). English? French? I actually find the fact that referees need to speak a standard language less interesting than the fact that the players are clearly expected to understand him (and the conversations seem to be beyond simple commands… although there are some hand signals). Does your average national team member speak sufficient English (or whatever) to communicate? ---
**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 7, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1529 "2018-07-07T18:26:51Z")
Russia seem determined to play at a 1000mph, It is a bit “headless chicken” you have to wonder if they’ll run of of steam. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1530 "2018-07-07T18:26:58Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Kyle Walker’s a [funny guy](https://twitter.com/kylewalker2/status/1015629039103401985). Yep, his twitter game is strong > > ---
**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 7, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1531 "2018-07-07T18:32:36Z")
Lordy! sweet feet! Russia ahead ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1532 "2018-07-07T18:36:10Z")
I can’t put my finger on it, but for some reason I am absolutely terrified of Vladimir Putin right now. ---
**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 7, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1533 "2018-07-07T18:36:19Z")
Napolean…Hitler…Me…underestimating Russian determination to fight on their home turf. ☹ ---
**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 7, 2018, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1534 "2018-07-07T18:36:40Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > Mmmmh, the irony is _delicious_… Yes, although Martinez did change to a Back 4 right at the beginning. That said, :smack: And I’m very much aware of that stats don’t tell the whole story. But Brazil truly created more scoring chances all game long. I agree that Belgium’s tactics changed after the first goal. But we all clearly disagree on what we saw. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1535 "2018-07-07T18:40:47Z")
Oooooo we got ourselves a game… ---
**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:** [July 7, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1536 "2018-07-07T18:42:43Z")
Croatia ties with a beautiful header! CRO 1 - 1 RUS ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1537 "2018-07-07T18:46:39Z")
[If England win the World Cup, by the BBC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQFTeF74dyY). ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1538 "2018-07-07T19:10:18Z")
Random question. Jersey number 10 has a special significance as being the team’s leader/playmaker/scorer. But who decides who gets to wear it? What if there’s a hot new player who is clearly the star but the now-fading previous star is still a good player and doesn’t want to give it up? ---
**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:** [July 7, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1539 "2018-07-07T19:15:33Z")
About ENG-SWE: Pickford is CLUTCH. About RUS-CRO: I really don’t know which side I want to win. ---
**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 7, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1540 "2018-07-07T19:41:16Z")
Hmmm, second half is full of sound and fury but it is a bit short on quality ---
**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:** [July 7, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1541 "2018-07-07T19:51:31Z")
Home-field host advantage seems to be a bigger advantage in football, internationally, than almost any other sport. France winning it all at home in 1998, South Korea going to the semis in 2002, France going to the Euro final in 2016 and now the Russkies are just one good shot away from going to the semis at home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=76) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=78)