Keep all Group B posts here
| 16-Jun-2018 | 03:00 NZT | Morocco | Match 4 | Iran |
Saint Petersburg |
| 16-Jun-2018 | 06:00 NZT | Portugal | Match 3 | Spain |
Sochi |
| 21-Jun-2018 | 00:00 NZT | Portugal | Match 19 | Morocco |
Moscow |
| 21-Jun-2018 | 06:00 NZT | Iran | Match 20 | Spain |
Kazan |
| 26-Jun-2018 | 06:00 NZT | Iran | Match 35 | Portugal |
Sarandk |
| 26-Jun-2018 | 06:00 NZT | Spain | Match 36 | Morocco |
Kaliningrad |
Spain's coach off to Real Madrid, sacked within hours, and a replacement hired.
All the day before the world cup!
Bonkers stuff. Don't see why they needed to sack him in the first place.
I can see Morocco causing a surprise and qualifying with Spain...therefore knocking out Portugal...?
Spain's coach off to Real Madrid, sacked within hours, and a replacement hired.
All the day before the world cup!
Bonkers stuff. Don't see why they needed to sack him in the first place.
No matter how talented the team is, this sort of shark happening two days before your first game at the World Cup can't be too helpful.
Would still be a shock if anyone other than the two favourites progressed, though I've not seen anything of Morocco.
Portugal and Spain sleep walk out of this group but I can see Spain going home earlier than they might like.
Why on earth would you gas the coach days prior to kick off
Grumpy old bastard alert
May be able to do Portugal v Spain tomorrow morning as my little one gets up between 5-6am anyway.
May be able to do Portugal v Spain tomorrow morning as my little one gets up between 5-6am anyway.
Arousal ahead of important games is not uncommon.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Early 2000s Portugal were one of my favourite teams, but after the way they played to win the Euros I'd like to see Morocco qualify out of this group with Spain.
Portugal v Spain was an awesome game as a neutral to watch, some great football on display.
Great game. Spain stronger on balance. Back luck with keeper mistake. 4 great goals, goalie mistake and penalty. Great first game to watch. Rule No.1 for defenders - don't touch Ronaldo anywhere near goal!
Wonderful game. Ronaldo might be a prat but he's a genius. Terrific goals from Nacho and Costa's first too.
Great game. Spain stronger on balance. Back luck with keeper mistake. 4 great goals, goalie mistake and penalty. Great first game to watch. Rule No.1 for defenders - don't touch Ronaldo anywhere near goal!
Enjoyed Morocco vs Iran & Spain vs Portugal.
I was keen to see Morocco win, but good on Iran for getting a win given their troubles with US sanctions etc. Mind you, the boots they sourced last minute seemed better than the ones Portugal were using & slipping around in. Morocco tried playing a really positive game but missed chances then lost their way in the second half.
All 3 games this morning changed near the end after a needless foul given away. Spain were playing Portugal off the park for the most part. Pretty disappointing way for Spain to drop 3 goals, off a penalty, free kick, and goalkeeper howler.
Noticed the Portuguese slipping and sliding particularly in the 2nd half,wonder if it anything to do with pitch being watered at halftime.
Don't foul anyone in or close to the box. Don't stop attacking with a 1 goal lead.
Don't foul anyone in or close to the box. Don't stop attacking with a 1 goal lead.
That should be our chant at the Phoenix games.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Iran has the best support of any team here outside of Russia itself, their fans are really up for it and took over St Petersburg.
The Morrocan and Peruvian fans doing a great job too. Very few European fans about. Have yet to meet anyone from the Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Ireland to mention but a few.
Iran has the best support of any team here outside of Russia itself, their fans are really up for it and took over St Petersburg.
The Morrocan and Peruvian fans doing a great job too. Very few European fans about. Have yet to meet anyone from the Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Ireland to mention but a few.
Not sure why you would expect to meet anyone from those European nations mentioned, as none of them are in the finals.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Portugal:
good keeper
4 rank average defenders, one of whom thinks the goal is to find touch with every clearance
4 below average midfielders including a little dude who thinks that because he passes like Xavi 2x per match, that he is just like Xavi
The bus drivers son, I mean seriously Guedes looked totally lost, I think they need to bring Quaresma or Nani in
... and RONALDO
And yes folks, that lineup gets you a draw against Spain. Love it. Ronaldo is king
Did De Gea collide with Ramos at some stage? Is he blaming concussion for that howler for Ronaldo's second goal :)
Great game. Spain stronger on balance. Back luck with keeper mistake. 4 great goals, goalie mistake and penalty. Great first game to watch. Rule No.1 for defenders - don't touch Ronaldo anywhere near goal!
Lightest of faint touches which many others do run through (must all be mugs eh) - but with Ronaldo thats all it seems to require. Not so for others perhaps.
Along those lines I thought Brazil were a bit hard done by a couple of times. One when the Swiss defender wrapped his arms around the attacker who was ahead on a ball meters from goal and so he went down (as Ronaldo would have), and then defensively the pretty obvious push taken to get the Swiss goal. Maybe the Swiss guy would have scored anyway but the push helped - again a pretty obvious foul. Plenty of other cynical fouling in that game as well. It comes down to refs on those. I guess. Part of the quaint randomness of football eh! Gives everyone something to talk about anyway - good marketing strategy actually.
Its going to be a great group here. Goal difference may be crucial in getting through. Could be all guns blazing in remaining games.
I have got a mate from Iran and he is really passionate about football and it seems like it means a lot to the folk over there so really hope they do well at the cup.
shame on nike btw
I love the World Cup for teams like Iran doing well. Especially when getting screwed over from the powers to be. I actually wanted Morocco to win, who haven't made it there for a long time, and I think a bit more exciting than Iran, but still had happiness for Iran at the end.
I remember big time cheering on Iran in 1998 when they played USA in the grudge match, fantastic win for Iran. A shame Iran can't play them every week! A bit shark when teams who don't even make the World Cup contrive to deny teams who make it their boots!!
The Moroccans should have won that 5-2 with the chances. I loved the last minute 50 calibur drop when that Portugal defender got tapped on the shoulder.
The Iran setup looked very familiar but played out from the back going forward not Heraf Ball
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
Iran at times played 6-4-0 in the first half. Was a tough watch.
Once they went down, they played some decent stuff, and had a chance or two. They won't be easy for Portugal, especially considering that they're still in the running for the next round.
Portugal:
good keeper
4 rank average defenders, one of whom thinks the goal is to find touch with every clearance
4 below average midfielders including a little dude who thinks that because he passes like Xavi 2x per match, that he is just like Xavi
The bus drivers son, I mean seriously Guedes looked totally lost, I think they need to bring Quaresma or Nani in
... and RONALDO
And yes folks, that lineup gets you a draw against Spain. Love it. Ronaldo is king
That failed flip throw is my highlight of the tournament.
https://www.facebook.com/Nogometnevijesti1/videos/1427005437399654/
Which is even funnier when there's always some geezer in the room to laugh at
The Moroccans should have won that 5-2 with the chances. I loved the last minute 50 calibur drop when that Portugal defender got tapped on the shoulder.
Totally: I thought Morocco played a great team game and with lots of skill, passion and desire, where-as portugal relied on you-know-who to get them through.
Imo Morocco deserved to win the game but alas for all their slick passing and goal chances it wasn't to be.
Hopefully Portugal get knocked out in the next round.
The Moroccans should have won that 5-2 with the chances. I loved the last minute 50 calibur drop when that Portugal defender got tapped on the shoulder.
Totally: I thought Morocco played a great team game and with lots of skill, passion and desire, where-as portugal relied on you-know-who to get them through.
Imo Morocco deserved to win the game but alas for all their slick passing and goal chances it wasn't to be.
Hopefully Portugal get knocked out in the next round.
Lets hope they don't.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
