Naartjie on 15/6/2018 at 14:09
Terrible game, but I think with Salah back, I think Egypt have a decent game plan based on compact defending and breaking forward.
Tomi on 15/6/2018 at 19:05
Morocco 0-1 Iran
Missed the first half because of real life duties, apparently Morocco were the better side by far. Second half was quite a borefest. Iran probably didn't deserve to win, but I was still quite happy to see them snatched the late winner. Felt a bit sorry for the Moroccan fellow who scored the own goal though. Luckily he isn't Colombian...
Tomi on 15/6/2018 at 20:01
Portugal 3-3 Spain
I was expecting this to be yet another poor game, but luckily Spain aren't as good/boring as they used to be. Great match! Too bad it was one of those games where I don't really care who wins. Some nice goals (especially Nacho's long range screamer), a silly goalkeeping blunder, and lots of excitement. Spain were probably a tiny bit better, but a draw is a fair result. CRonaldo had a decent game.
Tomi on 16/6/2018 at 13:56
France 2-1 Australia
Quite a controversial game. Probably would have ended 0-0 without modern technology (goal line tech + video referees) and I don't know whether I like the use of the new tech or not. The video refs and the big decisions should at least be a lot quicker - it's not cool when the game goes on but then the ref decides to stop the game half a minute later and awards a penalty. I'm sure that this will cause some great drama and controversy during the tournament. The match itself wasn't very good. France didn't impress but deserved to win. Australia fought bravely and I would have loved to see them get one point.
heywood on 16/6/2018 at 14:13
I didn't expect Australia to win, and I was a little surprised that they kept it as close as they did. France seemed to be a little unprepared and was lost in the first half. If nothing else, the VAR added some drama and the second half was a decent watch.
The next one for me is Germany and Mexico.
Tomi on 16/6/2018 at 17:50
Argentina 1-1 Iceland
I had mixed feelings about this game. It's been amazing to follow the Icelandic fairytale for the last couple of years (every time I watch them play, I still expect them to lose!) but on the other hand I really want Argentina to do well too... Argentina may have controlled the game, but both sides managed to create some good chances, so a draw is a fair result I think. I kinda wish that Messi had buried that penalty though...
Tomi on 16/6/2018 at 19:50
Denmark 1-0 Peru
The first half was the most boring 45 mins of football so far. Another delayed penalty decision from a video replay. Awful penalty by the Peruvian geezer. The game got entertaining after Denmark's goal on the second half, but it still wasn't exactly a classic. Denmark disappointed me a little.
Tomi on 16/6/2018 at 21:10
Croatia 2-0 Nigeria
Tournament fatigue is already starting to kick in - four matches in one day is a bit too much. :p Both teams are among my favourites in this tournament, but I found myself rooting for Nigeria in this game. Nigeria looked pretty poor though, I just can't see them qualifying from this group now. Croatia defended well. The game was over after the silly penalty that lead for Croatia's second goal, Nigeria never looked like scoring but they could have got lucky once. Mandzukic still annoys me a little.
Thor on 16/6/2018 at 21:15
Very good WC so far.
* I'd usually root against russians any day, but this time it was nice seeing them mop the floor with some arabs. And it's just nice to see Putin pleased. That is the most charismatic self satisfied face ever. You just want to please that man, lol. The last 2 goals were pretty in on themselves.
* Was rooting for a draw with Egypt VS Uruguay, but team shark-wannabe lucked out by the end which was pretty meh.
* Morocco VS Ireland I was absolutely uninvested in, but they had a good game and the beautiful goal by the Moroccan spy was funny and sad at the same time, so that was memorable.
* Portugal VS Spain -- probably the best match this tournament will have - reminiscent of Portugal VS Hungary from 2 years ago. The most hype player in the history of football finally scoring a hattrick (and against the most cancerous team at that - although they weren't nearly as carcogenic as they were 6-10 years ago) in one of the big tournaments was truly a gift to humanity. Usually I value the team over a star (e.g. Germany 2014), but this is the one exception where I wish Portugal to win this one as well. This tournament, that is.
* France doesn't have a french team, they would be more accurately called Afrofrance, but oh well, they can do whatever they want with their country. Unfortunately they lucked out against the Aussies like Uruguay at the end.
* Argentina - the 2nd most carcogenic and unbelievably boring player VS my 2nd favorite - the great Vikings. Every time they got the ball they entertained. Pretty much the opposite for Argentina.... Anyways, Iceland VS Portugal finale hype is real.
* Peroo vs Danes - don't really care, but Peroo really injured one of the danes so for their inability to play like decent human beings makes me root for danes over them for sure. Accordingly, the Danes won too.
* Croatia vs Legally and Honestly Africa - was good. Modrič is the real MVP, as always. I wish them the 3rd place in this tournament.
Other plausible favorites that I haven't seen in a while (though anything can change) - Costa Rico, Germany, .... I guess that's it. Poland and Columbia are fine, but that's about it afaik. I would enjoy another rape of the brazilians though (that 7:1 by Germany in 2014 gave me and everbody else across the world more pleasure than a thousand whores did for ya boi Tyrion D. Lannister). But rape is generally illegal to show on television, so they might stop the broadcast this time. I think the first time it was continued mostly due to everybody's morbid curiosity. :P
zacharias on 17/6/2018 at 04:30
Thor:the 2nd most carcogenic and unbelievably boring player
What are you on about?