The only reason Brazilians fill up the world is because they come from a poor nation and its clubs have to sell to survive.
Ohh…7-1 in Brazil.
None of the players you mention are the best at their position.
Ohh…7-1 in Brazil.
In the last 50 years Brazil has won 2 World Cups…Germany 3. In fact, Brazil has only won two World Cups without Pele.
They live on more because of their storied past than today.
This language of “plugging in pieces” and “the system” is used in more than just this situation to denigrate successful team by describing them as some sort of modularized, impersonal process. Maybe it’s not what you meant, but the reality for Germany is that Löw regularly changes tactics and pace dependent on circumstances and the players on the pitch.
And Germany have one of if not the best youth development systems in the world.
England strolling against Panama. They’ve slowed down their play conspicuously and that has to be a premeditated tactic.
2 penalties and that’s the very least they’ve deserved, The wrestling by Panama is ridiculous. Great header by Stones, beautiful strike by Lingard and one of the best constructed set-pieces I’ve seen in a long time. Kane blasted in two unstoppable penalties. We could end up with a better GD than Belgium and only need a draw to top the group.
Are we sure this is England?
Someone predicted England would be this good earlier in this thread. 
Last I have to say about the subject, but most of the football world agrees with me that Brazil’s players are more talented than Germany’s.
Just count… these are literally the first 2 links in a google search for best soccer players in the world:
Also, hate to harp on this but you can simply check the FIFA world rankings on which group is more difficult.
What also proves it is that Germany Won he last World Cup, is #1 in FIFA ranking, and somehow Brazil was still slightly favored to win this WC. Talent.
We have yet to see that talent. O goals in almost 90 minutes against Costa Rica is telling. Not that Brazil has been any better in the Cops America. Chile has won the last two.
Sorry, didn’t want to ignore this. I’m not denigrating anybody. If it’s successful, that’s all that matters and that’s what every country should strive for. I started a thread not too long ago lamenting the embarrassing state of US Soccer and admiring Iceland’s system. The debate here is simply which country’s players, as of now, are more talented.
The best that can said for Panama is that they got their first-ever World Cup goal.
My Panamanian friends are posting on Facebook “Baloy has more goals than Messi!”
Yes they lost big but they showed courage and never quit. They have nothing to be ashamed of.
Based on the WC squads, a combined squad would probably feature 6 German starters: Neuer, Hummels, Boateng, Kimmich, Kroos, Reus. I think swapping Paulinho for a German central mid is arguable too.
Yes, La Liga and the EPL are better overall than the Bundesliga, but Bayern was the best team in the world this year.
Mane going to drag Senegal through this group? Quite possibly.
Senegal look good. If I were England/Belgium I would be worried.
I wouldn’t. Groups A and H are so weak that B and G don’t care if they finish second. Either England or Belgium would be massive favorites over either of these teams compared to even Croatia or Mexico.
Great equalizer!
I hate when that happens just after I post.
Japan should be up by at least one. Whiff on goal from 6 yards and then a crossbar on a nice chip attempt.
Nice goal by Senegal. This has been fun too watch.
Japan pulls it back level.
Japan are technically better than they have ever been. They will always be at a physical disadvantage but they make it up with their speed and ball movement.