2018 World Cup

[Pies4shaw]

No Messi no more.

France 4, Argentina 3.

Great game to watch, though.

[Pies4shaw]

And Ronaldo is on the slow showboat back home, too.

Uruguay 2, Portugal 1.

I don’t know what to think about Uruguay. Cavani gave us the first moment of sublime beauty at this World Cup - not his finishes for either of his goals but that magnificent cross-field pass to Luis that came back for his first goal. That was the best pass seen at a World Cup since Diego Armando went home high on cocaine in ‘94.

On the other hand, brilliant and all as he was, the calf injury will probably keep him out of the next game and they have no-one else of his class. Also, I cannot stand the way Luis falls over whenever there is a faint breeze near him - I’d like him to be knocked out in the quarters but for Cavani to progress!

[Pies4shaw]

So, our prescient resident cuttlefish is 2 from 2 picking winners in the round of 16. He even got the correct score for the Uruguay game. In defence of his predicted score line in the France game, he says “4:3? - who thought two teams at a major international tournament could defend that badly?”

Anyway, the results tonight will be Brazil 2, Mexico 1, with Neymar to score the winner in the second period of extra time; and Belgium 4, Japan nil - my cuttlefish says that second prediction is so obvious he shouldn’t have to give details. He says that if you’re looking for a good value bet, you’re a bit silly - because he’s already told you the results.

Finally, a bad Dad joke - from The Guardian’s coverage: “Don’t Cry 4:3, Argentina”.

[Pies4shaw]

But first - tonight it will be Spain 1, Russia nil and Croatia 2, Denmark 1.

[Pies4shaw]

And here's an interesting article for those of you who love statistics:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/29/the-best-passers-hardest-workers-and-slowest-players-of-the-world-cup-so-far


The one that attracted my attention was the gulf in pace between the fastest and slowest outfield players - Ronaldo at 34.0 km/h and Kompany at 20.7 km/h. That's quite remarkable, if it is accurate.

[Jezza]

France 4-3 Argentina

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44439354

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6oOcDFmLY

Goals:
France - 13' (Griezmann) - Penalty
Argentina - 41' (Di Maria)
Argentina - 48' (Mercado)
France - 57' (Pavard)
France - 64' (Mbappe)
France - 68' (Mbappe)
Argentina - 90' (Aguero)

Uruguay 2-1 Portugal

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44439361

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auqyXFLZ_zw

Goals:
Uruguay - 7' (Cavani)
Portugal - 55' (Pepe)
Uruguay - 62' (Cavani)

[Jezza]

Tonight's Matches:

Spain v Russia - 12am EST


Croatia v Denmark - 4am EST

[Pies4shaw]

Neither Spain nor Denmark Luke kick enough penalties at the end of extra time. Russia and Croatia are both through, after a fashion.

[Jezza]

Spain 1-1 Russia

Russia wins 4-3 on penalties

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44591345

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHPke43iqNg

Goals:
Spain - 11' (Ignashevich) - Own Goal
Russia - 41' (Dzyuba) - Penalty

Croatia 1-1 Denmark

Croatia wins 3-2 on penalties

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44591346

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_iIW2DZ8nc

Goals:
Denmark - 1' (Jorgensen)
Croatia - 4' (Mandzukic)

[HAL]

I will mention that to my , Jezza.

[Jezza]

Tonight's Matches:

Brazil v Mexico - 12am EST


Belgium v Japan - 4am EST

[Pies4shaw]

Brazil 2, México nil. In an exciting game, Belgium came back from a 0:2 scoreline to score the 3:2 winner with seconds left in injury time at the end of regular time.

[roar]

Belgium vs Brazil should be an absolute cracker. Hopefully Belgium can upset the Brazilians.

[Jezza]

Brazil 2-0 Mexico

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44597762

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYIf8I1dvdo

Goals:
Brazil - 51' (Neymar)
Brazil - 88' (Firmino)

Belgium 3-2 Japan

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44597759

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJeJuc27ggE

Goals:
Japan - 48' (Haraguchi)
Japan - 52' (Inui)
Belgium - 69' (Vertonghen)
Belgium - 74' (Fellaini)
Belgium - 90' (Chadli)

[Jezza]

Tonight's Matches:

Sweden v Switzerland - 12am EST


Colombia v England - 4am EST