# 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:** 85
**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 10, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1682 "2018-07-10T18:40:34Z")
Pavard has been brilliant. ---
**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 10, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1683 "2018-07-10T18:42:35Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Any chance someone could put this into context for a stupid American who can’t really follow Euro soccer very easily? Is the Italian league comparable to the Premier? What does Ronaldo gain by moving? Why would Real dump their best player? I’m not a Euro nor that well informed but my feeling is that CR7 tired of Madrid and is looking for a new challenge. Juventus will be more dangerous in the Champions League while continuing to be the Yankees of Italy. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1684 "2018-07-10T18:46:34Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Hazard to Real perhaps? > > You can imagine the other Spanish defenders thinking “at last, Real won’t have Ronaldo running at us full tilt every week” (looks at transfer news)“…awwwwww, shit” 438 games 450 goals. Lionel Fucking Who? Hi 118 goals in 292 Games for United. Slacker. ---
**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 10, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1685 "2018-07-10T18:49:30Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Any chance someone could put this into context for a stupid American who can’t really follow Euro soccer very easily? Is the Italian league comparable to the Premier? What does Ronaldo gain by moving? Why would Real dump their best player? Juventus is is a top team in Italy and though it is a notch down in depth perhaps from England and Spain it is still a notable club. Ronaldo may be their top player now but he is 33 and coming to end of his career. Real are unlikely to offer him big money for a new, long contract and when his contract with Real finishes he is free to move to whatever club he likes for free. So they are setting up the move now, while he is under contract still and they able to command a transfer fee. Ronaldo gets a move to big club and a longer contract, Real get 99 million euro to spend on other players and also get to move a big wage-earner off their books. Juve hopefully get another few seasons out of a great player and make a shitload on shirts and merchanside and advertising. I think it is a sensible move all round really. ---
**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 10, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1686 "2018-07-10T18:55:49Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Is the Italian league comparable to the Premier? It’s a very strong league historically, had a bit of a dip for while in European competition terms, but well on the way back. > [@](#): > > What does Ronaldo gain by moving? Maybe he just fancies a change of scenery to see out his career? Plus potentially winning the domestic league and the Champions League in the Premier League, La Liga \*and \* Serie A would be quite the feat. ---
**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 10, 2018, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1687 "2018-07-10T18:59:30Z")
[https://mobile.twitter.com/BVB\_Network/status/1016758377718927361](https://mobile.twitter.com/BVB_Network/status/1016758377718927361) I don’t think France have a horrible manager. They just realize their defensive shortcomings. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1688 "2018-07-10T19:00:02Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > potentially winning the domestic league and the Champions League in the Premier League, La Liga \*and \* Serie A would be quite the feat. Interesting, has anyone done that before? and been top scorer in all three as well? He must be in with a shout. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1689 "2018-07-10T19:07:04Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Juventus is is a top team in Italy and though it is a notch down in depth perhaps from England and Spain it is still a notable club. > > Ronaldo may be their top player now but he is 33 and coming to end of his career. Real are unlikely to offer him big money for a new, long contract and when his contract with Real finishes he is free to move to whatever club he likes for free. So they are setting up the move now, while he is under contract still and they able to command a transfer fee. > > Ronaldo gets a move to big club and a longer contract, Real get 99 million euro to spend on other players and also get to move a big wage-earner off their books. > Juve hopefully get another few seasons out of a great player and make a shitload on shirts and merchanside and advertising. > > I think it is a sensible move all round really. > [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > It’s a very strong league historically, had a bit of a dip for while in European competition terms, but well on the way back. > > Maybe he just fancies a change of scenery to see out his career? Plus potentially winning the domestic league and the Champions League in the Premier League, La Liga \*and \* Serie A would be quite the feat. Thank you both! This was very helpful ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1690 "2018-07-10T19:10:02Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Interesting, has anyone done that before? and been top scorer in all three as well? > He must be in with a shout. Clarence Seedorf won the Champions League with Ajax, Real and Milan. He’s the only one even vaguely close I think. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1691 "2018-07-10T19:10:14Z")
oooo! cheeky little nod near-post for the garlic-botherers. That opens it up even more. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1692 "2018-07-10T19:15:19Z")
One up for the gourmands of the gastropod! (the iPlayer stream is a bit behind live TV, I feel) ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1693 "2018-07-10T19:20:16Z")
This is such a refreshing match to watch. Both teams came to play without silly negative nonsense. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1694 "2018-07-10T19:25:25Z")
Why is Belgium playing so narrowly? Especially since they have Dr Bruyne? ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1695 "2018-07-10T19:32:08Z")
DesChamps has done an excellent job with his game plan. Well done. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1696 "2018-07-10T19:37:43Z")
Obvious foul not called in a critical location. Ref got it wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1697 "2018-07-10T19:39:34Z")
Haven’t seen a hint of VAR since the South American teams went 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 10, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1698 "2018-07-10T19:40:51Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Haven’t seen a hint of VAR since the South American teams went out. When has it not been used when it should have been? ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1699 "2018-07-10T19:42:28Z")
Tight game, Belgium with the possession, France with more chances. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1700 "2018-07-10T19:43:14Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > When has it not been used when it should have been? I’m not trying to say they’ve stopped using it, I’m saying it’s not been needed. ---
**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 10, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1701 "2018-07-10T19:46:31Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > I’m not trying to say they’ve stopped using it, I’m saying it’s not been needed. Apologies for misreading. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=84) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=86)