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World Cup 2018 Round of 16

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Jordinho

Jordinho

Ron Henry
Staff member
Saturday:

France vs Argentina
Uruguay vs Portugal

Sunday:

Spain vs Russia
Croatia vs Denmark

Monday:

Brazil vs Mexico
Belgium vs Japan

Tuesday:

Sweden vs Switzerland
Colombia vs England
 
Question: Do you think that when the two biggest teams guilty of "simulation" (aka diving, cheating and feigning injury) in the world cup meet on Saturday (Portugal vs Uruguay), are going to get through handshakes at the beginning of the game without rolling around on the floor? That much physical contact will surely cause the Physio's on both sides to be really busy.
 
The knockout stage is so unbalanced in this World Cup. In one half, we will have all the strong teams like Uruguay, France, Argentina and Brazil whom have won 10 World Cups between them. In another half, we will have traditionally weak teams like Spain, Sweden, Croatia and maybe England whom have won only 2 World Cups between them. I think Argentina should have been in the second half instead of Croatia but their poor form cost them dearly. Hope hosts Russia will lift their game to make the second half knockout stage more exciting.
 
Briddo1882 said:
Question: Do you think that when the two biggest teams guilty of "simulation" (aka diving, cheating and feigning injury) in the world cup meet on Saturday (Portugal vs Uruguay), are going to get through handshakes at the beginning of the game without rolling around on the floor? That much physical contact will surely cause the Physio's on both sides to be really busy.
Click to expand...
 
So, after 15 days of action, all the 48 matches in the group stage is over and now the 16 matches in the knockout stages will start. I always enjoy the group matches more than the knockout matches in the World Cup. You can always relax and enjoy the group matches. But it is always full of tension as soon as the knockout stage starts especially if it goes to extra time and penalties.

Europeans teams tend to dominate the knockout stages whenever the World Cup is in Europe. That is the same in this World Cup with 10 European teams in Round of 16, the same as in Italy 1990, France 1998 and Germany 2006. The only European teams who failed to progress are Germany, Poland, Serbia and Iceland. South America have 4 of their 5 teams in Round of 16, with only Peru missing out. Mexico represents North America while Japan will kept the Asian flags flying. I think Asia can be proud of this World Cup as all the "real" Asian teams (Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Iran and Japan) getting at least 1 win each while the "fake" Asian team Australia getting 1 draw. Surely, African teams are the biggest losers of this World Cup as all 5 African teams failed to prdogress to the Second Round. This is the first time since 1982 that none of the African teams progressed to the Second Round.

So, the knockout stage is all about Europe V South America. Europe have won the last 3 World Cups and are now leading the total World Cup wins with 11 Cups compared to 9 Cups by South America. Let''s see if South America can stop Europe this time or not !
 
Seems a bit strange to have Argentina V France as the first knockout match in the World Cup. This would have been avoided if Argentina had won their group, meaning Croatia would be facing France instead. This is going to be a tense match for both teams. Both Argentina and France have not been very convincing and struggled for goals in the group matches. Won't be surprised if this match goes into extra time and penalty shootouts. Hope Messi will lift his game and lead Argentina to a win.

Uruguay have looked impressive in the group matches as they are the only team to have won all their matches without conceding any goals so far.Their defence have looked very tight even if they were not fully tested so far. Ronaldo has single handedly steered Portugal into the Second Round. Portugal has looked very poor apart from Ronaldo's goals. I think Uruguay would have won half the match if they stop Ronaldo in this match.
 
What a line up of legendary strikers in the BBC studio for today's match....

Lineker
Drogba
Shearer
Klinsmann
 
Messi as a lone striker and the slowest defense in the tournament. Genius management.

Then again, France have Pogba...
 
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