FIFA World Cup: Qatar 2022 • Page 84

Well, all things considered, not a bad World Cup for Korea I suppose. Feel like I didn't see too many people thinking they'd even get out of their group, and at least the second half wasn't tooooo bad (although that was probably more from Brazil letting off the pressure). Round of 16 is respectable enough, although I am gutted that, if anything, Uijo will be remembered for missing that sitter in the first game. It is what it is though!

 

Anyone else think Switzerland might upend Portugal today? I can't realistically see Morocco stopping Spain unless Spain have an absolute stinker of a performance, but the later game looks less predictable to me.

 

I think maybe, but Portugal are weirdly good as long as they avoid Ronaldo. I don't know why but it seems that they have big tournament vibes. Feeling a bit like Euro 2016

I will say, the gap between the big teams and the smaller teams in the knockouts is not something I expected after the tight group stage. Most of the underdogs have been handily beaten. Wonder if it's just because they expended so much to get out of the group. And in turn with that, would the 3 team groups for the next world cup provide more chances for knockout upsets

 

Squad depth is 100% the main factor, I think. Brazil have used all 26 players already. Once you get past the first XI for most nations, quality majorly dips.

 

Wasn’t even bad I thought. A few misplaced passed, etc, but he was fine. Hopefully a week or two will help him feel better about it.

 

Arsenal gearing up for the new year collapse... hopefully

 

Yeah, both Portugal and Croatia seem to be able make themselves incredibly hard to beat, even if they don't look all that on paper.

 

I think Portugal will be even better once Ronaldo leaves the squad. Like. Much better.

 

weird how that keeps happening

 

Spain starting Ferran Torres means they’re on upset alert

 

Honestly, with Jesus out for a while, White going through personal issues, and Tomiyasu being this affected by Japan’s exit, it feels like this world cup has totally derailed a lot for us.

Can’t wait for City to win again lol.

 

This Spain kit is... not it.

 

We just need this and we'll be fine!

 

honest odds that Morocco causes an upset here? I'm feeling that they make it happen or at least keep it competitive.

And yea, Spain in this blue is a bit weird. Not attractive kits at all.

 

"With today's start for Spain, 18-year-old Gavi becomes the youngest player to start a knockout stage game at a men's FIFA World Cup since Pelé in 1958."

 

Boufal was a joke player at Southampton, right? He's been amazing at this World Cup. At 29 he's probably too old for another Premier League move but who knows?

 

what happened White?

 

Left the squad last week (or maybe tail end of the previous) for personal reasons. I don't think anything more than that has been publicly released. I thought he'd previously had some family stuff that had affected him at Arsenal too, but unsure if I'm mixing him up with someone else.

 

wow I completely missed that. Hope all is ok.

 

Look, I generally have pretty bad takes and this will probably come back to haunt me. But I just don’t see it with Dani Olmo.

 

I used to see it during the Euros. I don't see it anymore. Completely different player post-injury.

 

That was almost pure magical by Sarabia

 

so the Muslim reconquest comes down to pens