# World Cup 2022 - discussion, predictions, and thoughts **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-soccer-fifa\ **Created:** [November 6, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476 "2022-11-06T20:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/301 "2022-11-23T03:25:02Z")
4-1. France dominating the Aussie. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/302 "2022-11-23T12:44:09Z")
A massive spread of WC stats. I’ve never seen this level of footie data compiled in one place….it’s terrific. > **[Post Match Summary Reports](https://www.fifatrainingcentre.com/en/fwc2022/post-match-summaries/post-match-summary-reports.php)** > > Here you can find extensive statistics for the FIFA World Cup 2022™ . The Post Match Summary Reports for all 62 matches are available here. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/303 "2022-11-23T12:59:25Z")
I am very anxious …. 🇩🇪 ---
**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:** [November 23, 2022, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/304 "2022-11-23T13:09:11Z")
Nice pressing by Japan, can they keep it up long enough to benefit, or will they tire. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/305 "2022-11-23T13:23:05Z")
Is this the first game between two top teams? It’s the best playing I’ve seen so far, but I’m not all that much of a soccer watcher. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/306 "2022-11-23T13:28:33Z")
The German kit for this WC sucks ---
**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:** [November 23, 2022, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/307 "2022-11-23T13:29:22Z")
Japan’s not really a top team (27 in the ELO ranking). The biggest group stage match is going to be Spain vs Germany. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/308 "2022-11-23T13:31:25Z")
Soft penalty. He dealt with the threat and did a needless hit on the attacker. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/309 "2022-11-23T13:47:04Z")
Soft penalty meaning it shouldn’t have been called, or the keeper did something dumb? I think it’s the latter – seemed like a clear mugging, I mean penalty. I think of “soft” in that sense meaning that it was a borderline call. ETA: So far, I love the lack of theatrics in this game! ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/310 "2022-11-23T13:50:04Z")
Keepers fault. He had done the difficult bit of clearing and then made an unnecessary contact with an opposition player. And the second goal (if it stands) was also an error by the keeper. ETA: Overturned and Japan miss an easy chance. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/311 "2022-11-23T13:50:37Z")
Yes, that’s how I normally read it as well. Germany picking away at a disciplined defense. They’re also running a lot of set plays based on their height advantage. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/312 "2022-11-23T13:53:09Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Japan’s not really a top team (27 in the ELO ranking). I had no idea that Japan was behind the US in the rankings. I take back what I said earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/313 "2022-11-23T13:58:11Z")
Just caught this. Good for them. > > ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/314 "2022-11-23T14:00:13Z")
Nicely done by Germany! ---
**Author:** ![icon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c6cbf5/32.png) [@icon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icon)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/315 "2022-11-23T14:02:30Z")
One thing different about the Japanese team this year compared to previous ones is that a lot more of the players in the squad are part of European teams rather than Japanese teams, and a number of them have played in Germany so they are not completely unfamiliar with the players they are facing today. How much of a help that is, I don’t know, but it does mean they aren’t unfamiliar with the style of play of their opponents. `//i\\` ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/316 "2022-11-23T14:10:48Z")
So, are these players just less sensitive from the knees down than Mexican players? It’s amazing how many hard tackles are happening where the player just gets back up. Maybe the Mexican players need better shin guards? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/317 "2022-11-23T14:14:30Z")
Other than Kimmich, you won’t normally see anyone on the German team trying to roll around and milk a minimal foul. Seems like the Japanese side is similar, except for maybe Sakai. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/318 "2022-11-23T14:15:32Z")
If I were a ref, I would be giving out cards all day long for that crap. FIFA should require that players in such obvious “agony” have to leave the field for treatment until the next stoppage. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/319 "2022-11-23T14:16:34Z")
Cool. How is Ozil by the way to totally change the subject. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476/320 "2022-11-23T14:23:50Z")
Can you give me the context? Was he a big diver? This game is so much smoother without all the ridiculous theatrics. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-cup-2022-discussion-predictions-and-thoughts/974476.md?page=17)