# 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:** 97
**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 14, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1923 "2018-07-14T14:03:46Z")
Judging by the lineups and formations I’m guessing a goal or two will be scored today. 😉 ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1924 "2018-07-14T14:04:48Z")
That didn’t take long ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1925 "2018-07-14T14:07:26Z")
England phoning it in? That looked like grade school 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 14, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1926 "2018-07-14T14:08:21Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > England phoning it in? That looked like grade school defense. I agree. I’m disappointed Southgate didn’t start Vardy and Rashford. And judging by lineup and effort Belgium is taking this match very seriously. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1927 "2018-07-14T14:11:14Z")
> [@dominic65](#): > > Nice quip in the Fiver: is today’s game between Belgium and England the first time two countries have played each other twice in a major tournament, with neither of them particularly caring whether they won either game? 🙂 > (Teams have played each other twice in tournaments before, e.g. during Euro 2004 when the opening game and the final both saw Greece beat hosts Portugal.) > [@madsircool](#): > > I agree. I’m disappointed Southgate didn’t start Vardy and Rashford. > > And judging by lineup and effort Belgium is taking this match very seriously. From the looks of it, Belgium are trying to win. England, not so much. Shows why England fail so regularly at international tournaments. They think themselves too good for lots of international footy. Yeah, no one wants to have to play this game, but 3rd place in the World Cup is a great achievement and comes with a medal. Its like their attitude to “meaningless friendlies” no-take those damn matches seriously like the successful teams do. That’s where you develop the team and the first XI. ETA: Waste of Sterling moves, for fuck all yet again. Not scored for 3 years for England. Remind me why he is not been reduced to latrine cleaning duties yet? He’s fast? So are two dozen other players. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1928 "2018-07-14T14:14:54Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Well, that’s a question of semantics, and let’s not get full-fledged SDMB and quibble about semantics in a football thread :D. Actually, it’s correct. That’s why the “goals” scored during the shootouts aren’t counted in the statistics. It’s not part of the game. The correct reporting of the Croatia v. Russia match, for example, was: Russia 2 - 2 Croatia (a.e.t.) Croatia advances 4-3 on penalties Penalty kick shootouts don’t have to be the way that tied matches are resolved. Could be a coin flip. The match was still tied (and gets reported that way in statistics). ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1929 "2018-07-14T14:16:38Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > From the looks of it, Belgium are trying to win. > England, not so much. > Shows why England fail so regularly at international tournaments. They think themselves too good for lots of international footy. Yeah, no one wants to have to play this game, but 3rd place in the World Cup is a great achievement. Its like their attitude to “meaningless friendlies” no-take those damn matches seriously like the successful teams do. That’s where you develop the team and the first XI. I agree. Geiger is the VAR official. Why is he even allowed in a stadium? He should have been stripped of his refs whistle and sent home after the Col v Eng disaster. ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1930 "2018-07-14T14:37:39Z")
England still can’t find a way to get the ball to Kane. If someone would only whisper in Stirlings ear…‘its ok to pass the ball’. ---
**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 14, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1931 "2018-07-14T14:49:09Z")
I don’t understand England’s formation. In their last possession in Belgium’s half they had 4 up front wings and four in the back but no one playing in the middle. The kind of CM Belgium uses to thread those quick passes to their attackers. ---
**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 14, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1932 "2018-07-14T15:13:51Z")
Hazard looks like he’s auditioning for a RM move. He’s continued a couple dribbles rather than make a pass that looked better to me. ---
**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 14, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1933 "2018-07-14T15:15:14Z")
Come one Lukaku! That’s gotta be 2-0. ---
**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 14, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1934 "2018-07-14T15:33:44Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Hazard looks like he’s auditioning for a RM move. He’s continued a couple dribbles rather than make a pass that looked better to me. I read $150 mil. Wow. Boreham Wood 0 Arsenal 7 Boreham Wood in the fifth level on English football. Why Arsenal? ---
**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 14, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1935 "2018-07-14T15:39:34Z")
Jesus Effing Christ. Dr Bruyne makes passing look so easy. These Belgians are fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1936 "2018-07-14T15:40:54Z")
2-0 Bronze to Belgium. Yup England really did not deserve to be in the SF. ---
**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 14, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1937 "2018-07-14T15:42:54Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Jesus Effing Christ. Dr Bruyne makes passing look so easy. These Belgians are fun to watch. His through ball that Lukaku had a heavy touch on was great, and he’s absolutely wonderful at longer passes too. Joy to watch. Hazard did a nice job opening his hips up on that goal to send Pickford the wrong way. He’s also really fun to watch. ---
**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 14, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1938 "2018-07-14T15:43:33Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Hazard looks like he’s auditioning for a RM move. He’s continued a couple dribbles rather than make a pass that looked better to me. Literally, just as I’m reading this, Hazard scores. ---
**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 14, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1939 "2018-07-14T17:20:22Z")
Irdning 0 Everton 22 Another goofy friendly > **[Irdning 0-22 Everton - How Silva made history](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/irdning-vs-everton-live-goal-14908605)** > > All the latest score updates from Austria as Everton face local side Irdning in Marco Silva's first pre-season friendly fixture Sokratis first game for Arsenal [https://mobile.twitter.com/CarriIero\_/status/1018162446484295681](https://mobile.twitter.com/CarriIero_/status/1018162446484295681) ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1940 "2018-07-14T22:36:44Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > According to the Laws of the Game he’s technically correct if pedantic. I’m not trying to be pedantic. I think it’s important. Well, not THAT important, but important enough to make the distinction. I don’t want to take anything away from Croatia (I’m rooting for them tomorrow), but I think it gives them a little bit too much credit and takes away credit from the teams they “beat”. Especially, since the shootout is a pretty crappy way to see who advances (although it still might be the best way). ---
**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 14, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1941 "2018-07-14T23:21:44Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > I’m not trying to be pedantic. I think it’s important. Well, not THAT important, but important enough to make the distinction. I don’t want to take anything away from Croatia (I’m rooting for them tomorrow), but I think it gives them a little bit too much credit and takes away credit from the teams they “beat”. Especially, since the shootout is a pretty crappy way to see who advances (although it still might be the best way). Penalties require skill from both taker and GK and composure. When weighed against the health risks of the only better way to decide knockout matches, its a great compromise. In 1994 two of the greatest players to play their positions not only missed their PKs but put them over the bar. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jsOleoyrbFE/hqdefault.jpg "FIFA World Cup 1994 Final Brazil vs Italy 3 2 Penalty Strokes Highlights") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsOleoyrbFE) PKs require footballing skill. ---
**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 14, 2018, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615/1942 "2018-07-14T23:37:51Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Penalties require skill from both taker and GK and composure. When weighed against the health risks of the only better way to decide knockout matches, its a great compromise. In 1994 two of the greatest players to play their positions not only missed their PKs but put them over the bar. > > [https://youtu.be/jsOleoyrbFE](https://youtu.be/jsOleoyrbFE) > > PKs require footballing skill. This. PK shootouts demand the basic footballing skills, to net the ball and to prevent it. There’s just no better way to untie a draw, or would you want to go back to a rescheduled decisive game (unthinkable with today’s schedules) or a coin throw, like in old times? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=96) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2018/815615.md?page=98)