England only win the group if they beat Belgium.
FIFA rankings are bullshit.
Sweden and Croatia (along with Belgium and England) are playing better than any other side except Uruguay. Brazil and Argentina are mediocre sides relying on their past reputations. This is the most balanced final 16 ever.
Why? And why do all the standings show England in 1st place?
My bad for only reading the first sentence of the ESPN story that claims England only win the group if they win the match. We have to wait to see the cards in tomorrows match to know if cards will decide it. Otherwise it will be a coin toss.
You are making the same mistake as people do every World Cup. The group stage is all about survival and group stage performances aren’t the best indicator of knockout stage success. Just see how Germany looked in 2014.
What does this even mean? Brazil was favored to win this World Cup. Germany started as favorite but betting money moved to Brazil quickly. I was hoping to get 6:1 on them in Vegas, and it fell to 4:1. FIFA rankings were off by putting Germany ahead of Brazil. While they have looked shaky, you’re comparing them to teams that haven’t played anyone good yet (besides Sweden, and they lost to Germany). Argentina, I agree has been bad, but mostly due to their 2nd rate defense.
You may be right on this, but only time will tell.
Someone didn’t read the footnotes.
Ah…?
In Brazil in 2014, Germany outscored its group stage opponents 7 goals to 2 and had two wins and one draw; a pretty stout showing in the group stage.
Then it proceeded to win four games in the knockout stage by 11 goals to 2.
The Germans were more or less strong in that World Cup from beginning to end.
The group stage was done by running up the score against an imploding Portugal,
a 1-0 victory over a US which took no risks. They barely got away with a 2-2 draw versus Ghana.
The Knockout stages had them needing extra time to get pass by the Algerians and then there was the infamous Semi Final, responsible for most of the 11 goals. In the final they needed the Argentines to wasted about 4 chances to win it.
The Germans were deserved winners in 2014; but their vulnerabilities were apparent even 4 years ago and this time teams went in with a plan to exploit them.
Its eye opening that the least German like of the 6 halves of footy they played at WC2018 was also the one the did the best in; the second half versus Sweden. There they were physical played long ball and on the break.
By the way this will be the first WC since 1966 where England has finished higher than the Germans.
2014: C, First Stage
2010 SF; R16
2006 SF, QF
2002 RU, QF
1998 QF, R16
1994 QF, DNQ
1990 C, SF
1986 RU, QF
1982 RU, Second Round
1978 Second Round, DNQ
1974 C, DNQ
1970 SF, QF
Hursts hatrick has proved costly.
I really don’t think there is any benefit for either England or Belgium to try and plot their course to the final.
It is tempting to be ultra-wary of the top-half teams but in all honesty no-one has looked formidable or unbeatable as yet. Brazil have played about 40 minutes of decent football across their three matches, Argentina not even that much.
No, this is a very open competition and knock-out football can do strange things to teams. I think Gareth Southgate has said exactly the right thing to his team. Just keep winning the next game and forget what comes after that.
Looking at all the L16 games I think there are very few that I’d predict with any confidence. I think Spain stand a very good chance against Russia and England/Belgium should do well against whichever two they match up with but the rest I just don’t know.
Plotting a course or not, You’d have to be an idiot to defend anything very vigorously and risk a card at this point. Defense by force field from 2 feet away, just to be sure there are no misunderstandings. (Unless you are the guy told to “accidentally” get a card for your team of course) 
Who have been the strongest sides thus far? Uruguay, Croatia, Sweden, England and Belgium. The traditional powers either didn’t qualify, have been eliminated or look ordinary. Would it really be that shocking to see Uruguay v Mexico and Sweden v Croatia in the semifinals? For once, it could be four different sides and no one would be surprised. As has been noted, this is the most balanced final 16 ever.
Watching los Cafeteros today but Senegal seems to be controlling the field so far. Colombia has to do more to avoid the early exit. Colombia has its fate in its control. Pull out a win and advance. Might squeak through with a draw.
Goool! Colombia! And with Poland leading Japan Colombia may win Group H.
Japan are just kicking the ball around midfield.
ETA: And now it’s over.
Wow!
Colombia over Senegal 1-0. And thanks go out to Poland for their 1-0 win over Japan!
That puts Colombia through at the top of Group H. And Japan advances thanks to the yellow card tiebreaker. Poland and Senegal go home.
Yes, that would be completely shocking.
Sweden has shown better than Brazil? Not by a long shot. Germany absolutely dominated them, but were just sloppy in finishing. Needed a PK to bear South Korea too. England, Belgium, and Uruguay haven’t played a single team worth a damn so far so I’d hold off on saying how good they look.
Croatia has looked good though, I agree. I would be surprised, but not shocked if they make the semis.
Whew, Japan barely squeaks through.
You still persist in the notion that his hand is where it is for no nefarious reason. You are wrong, in my opinion, and in the opinion of the referee making the call, and in the opinion of several referee commentators on the subject. But, go ahead and disagree; your repeated statements to the contrary don’t seem to be abating despite my best efforts. :smack:
Judging by the first 12 minutes, England and Belgium don’t seem to have a “gentlemen’s agreement” à la Gijon 82 or like the last 10 minutes today in the Japan-Poland match.
ETA: maybe gentlemen’s agreement is the false phrase, as the worry was that they both could have the incentive to deliberately lose by goals or by yellow cards. Still, no signs of such shenanigans.
It sure looks like Belgium wisely let 2 of their scrubs get yellows in the 1st half. I predict a late own-goal by Belgium to seal the deal to move to the easier half. By the way, I’m sort of kidding in that I haven’t actually watched any of the game.