World Cup Day 3 thread
Day 3 thread:
France vs. Australia
Argentina vs Iceland
Peru vs. Denmark
Croatia vs. Nigeria
Will France underperform as I predicted? The first 40 seems to say yes.
Will fan favorite Iceland steal a point from Lionel Messi and the lackluster Argentine side?
Other storylines?
Get your comment in!
I was sleeping this morning and missed the first game, I was told France looked like shit.
They were quite terrible, lacked any sort of creativity in the attacking area.
It was a typical France game under Deschamps. His tactics make little sense and his team always seems to rely on out-talenting the opposition. But they usually scrape out a win in the end. His won-loss record is quite good.
Watching Deschamps-coached France is like watching Michigan football under Carr.
Hoping for a big Messi game. Would love a Messi-Ronaldo back and forth.
Game 1 was close; which made it fairly entertaining.
The sad news is that it looked like 4 people died on the field due to being fouled- which brings the death toll to 17 players through five World Cup matches. Thoughts and prayers.....
I watched Iceland - Arg, which was really entertaining until a player had his leg blown off by a referee! It looked like he may have just lightly grazed his toes, but the player's reaction confirmed obliterated leg. Had to turn it off, can't watch that carnage.
Iceland is hanging around...they missed a golden opportunity for the first goal but missed wide left. Argentina is controlling most of the action with the occasional chance for Iceland.
Observations so far:
1. I have never been happier to sleep through that France match. I had a feeling they would be slow out of the gate.
2. KUN AGUEROOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL
2a. Finnbogason is now an Icelandic folklore figure
3. Messi plays with a bunch of hobos
4. I'm almost more excited for Croatia (who I have winning the group and reaching the semifinals) taking on a plucky Nigeria side this afternoon.
It's funny how in this sport a country of 4 million people (Croatia) can be the big favorite over a country of 180 million (Nigeria).
Iceland sticking around. Doing what they need to do. They had several high probability scoring chances.
Argentina’s defense is abysmal. I also don’t know why Dybala doesn’t start.
Poor penalty attempt by Messi, but damn is that a big save for Iceland. Would be awesome to see them steal this somehow.
Iceland is a team pretty much everyone can root for. Vikings taking down the establishment? Yes plz.
That bandwagon is way too full for me. I was the Peru bandwagon for today. Heartbreaker for them. They're fun to watch, had a lot of good chances. Missed a PK! Ugh. Shortest team in the tournament so they don't even really put the ball up in box much. Lot of give and go and creative passing near the goal.
Messi shits the bed on that penalty kick! Say what you like about best player in the world but CR7 doesn't miss those chances.
This feels like the US games from around 8 years ago. All out defending at the end, trying to hold on for dear life. Relying on shot blocks and great goaltending. It's almost as stressful watching another team do it.
This game feels like it should be a bloodbath. Iceland hasn’t had a shot on goal or even been in scoring position for most of the game. But great defense and great goaltending. They’ve completely frustrated Messi.
Even a draw here is a huge upset for Iceland.
ICELAND!
Well you know the comparisons are going to be made. Messi misses the penalty and can't put the ball on frame with a free kick at the end. What a great day for Iceland, though. Good for them.
Argentina is a-Messi.
ICELAND BEATS ARGENTINA 1-1
Gimme some Viking drums and clapping!
I woke up at 5:45 AM on a weekend, what the fuck is wrong with me.
Thoughts:
- Same old France
- PUT TIM CAHILL IN
- Lol "Socceroos"
- Pogba's goal was top shelf where mama keeps the cookies
- Argentina's backline and goalkeeping are going to lose them a game before this is all said and done
- Love me some vikings
I think Croatia will tie or beat Argentina in group stage. Croatia attack is very strong, and Modric can neutralize Mascherano & co. in the center of the field.
I honestly can't believe how sloppy the Argentina defense is. Exact opposite of the Icelandic effort on D today, which was very concise and blocked 20+ shots.
90 minutes of these Peru-Denmark announcers might kill me. Every pass doesn’t need to be announced like it’s the greatest play ever.
Sounds like a Latino Gus Johnson
He reminds me of the soccer announcer from the Simpsons.
"Halfback passes to center. Holds it. Holds it. HOLDS IT!"
Really bad announcing. Horrible chemistry between the two.
Almost hurts my ears as much as the one vuvuzela I keep hearing. Somebody needs punched in their mouth....
I may be in the minority but I kind of dig this crazy nut job announcer for the Peru match
Center passes to wing. Wing passes to center. Center holds. Holds. Holds! HOLDS!
He sounds like Horatio Sans doing a satire of a south-of-the-border announcer.
I am right there with you. "Push the red button when you're ready to talk" or something to his partner. Great stuff.
Perez-Navarro is great. He is a latino Gus Johnson. Trujillo is subpar and I thought they had bad chemistry but improved as the game went on. Perez-Navarro would ask for analysis and all Trujillo could say is that he liked Peru for the first 2/3 of the match before actually saying something different of substance.
The Danish goalie is having himself a day. I thought that was the equalizer.
Peru had soooo many chances. Feel for them.
Amazing from Iceland. Never would have thought they would get the equalizer. Messi just is not a World Cup player. Shame because I'd rather see him have the game Ronaldo had.
France might not make it out of the group.
Agree re: France. They could end up like Spain 2014. Could certainly lose to both of Peru and Denmark.
France will win the group, though I expect their next two matches to look like today's. Ugly wins have been their M.O. in the Deschamps era.
I'm sorry, but that was a foul in the box.
very surprised that a ref made the right call
WOOOOOOO Ísland!!!!!!!
Hopefully Iceland’s local commentator, Gummi, was there to call the game in native tongue. His ability to seamlessly throw in witty digs at the other team/country while in a state of uncontrollable, batshit-crazy exuberance, is quite impressive. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/RI8RyhCl2c4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>