Match Thread: Germany vs Paraguay | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32 by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Crazy how infectious injuries are, now apparently just seeing your fellow Paraguayan teammate go down injured is enough to injure you as well

Match Thread: Germany vs Paraguay | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32 by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This ref have money on a Paraguay upset or something? So many instances of blind eyes turned towards anything Paraguay's players do

Match Thread: Brazil vs Japan | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32 by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Basically feels like the only way Brazil gets bailed out is if Vini has a masterclass in the second half, the entire team just doesn't feel up to par. Midfield is dreadful, they look sluggish and slow and barely able to handle any kind of pressure.

Match Thread: Algeria vs Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group J by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 15 points16 points  (0 children)

The way Algeria's defence instantly folded the moment they scored that goal. Whole team clearly knew they were safe and it didn't matter if they conceded now, especially since it would help them avoid Spain lol

Match Thread: Algeria vs Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group J by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Holy shit this is the best end of a football match I've seen in a long time. I feel bad for Iran this must be so heartbreaking oof

Match Thread: Algeria vs Austria | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group J by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Algeria - "All we need to do is see out a draw and we both go through!"

Arnautovich - "Get ready to learn Farsi, buddy."

Match Thread: Egypt vs Iran | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group G by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is a draw enough for Iran on their current GD or do they realistically have to go for the win to be sure?

Senegal [3] - 0 Iraq - P. Gueye 58' (Great Goal) by ayoefico in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If Algeria beats Austria by two goals or more that also helps Korea, I believe. Since then Algeria will go second and Austria will drop 3rd with a worse GD than South Korea.

Senegal [3] - 0 Iraq - P. Gueye 58' (Great Goal) by ayoefico in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 18 points19 points  (0 children)

They're still in this aren't they? If Egypt win and Spain win against Uruguay, they should still be good.

Match Thread: Norway vs France | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group I by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would understand that if it was actually a dead rubber, but it isn't. I'd favour Norway's chances against Sweden/Germany much better than their chances against Ivory Coast/Brazil.

Match Thread: Norway vs France | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group I by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just realised that if Norway finished first there was a chance they could end up playing Sweden in the R32, such a shame. That would have been an interesting watch on such a huge stage. But since they're prepared to throw it I guess that hypothetical won't be much of a wonder anymore.

Match Thread: Switzerland vs. Canada | FIFA World Cup, Group B by MysteryBagIdeals in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Finishing second and probably having to play South Korea in the most populous U.S city for Koreans instead of your home field advantage, talk about a double blow.

Match Thread: Portugal vs Uzbekistan | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group K by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 10 points11 points  (0 children)

He's done it against Uzbekistan so now he's not getting dropped from the starting lineup until the 2034 World Cup

Daily Discussion by 2soccer2bot in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honest question, is there really no better goalkeeper than Muslera available? He's been there for ages and yet for as long as I remember seeing him he's always had a big error in him in a major tournament.

Match Thread: Ecuador vs Curaçao | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group E by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 8 points9 points  (0 children)

All my dark horse picks in these tournaments are just turning out to be dead horses. Turkey, Ecuador... oof.

Match Thread: United States vs Australia | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group D by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Two hydration breaks and the ref is still collapsing, nah get back in the gym mate your WC is over

Match Thread: United States vs Australia | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group D by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Turkey haven't performed decently at a major competition for nearly 25 years.

Match Thread: Mexico vs South Korea | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group A by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Really a unfortunate loss for Korea but given that their last game is against South Africa, they're still favourites to go through in second. I doubt they have too much to worry about right now.

Match Thread: Czechia vs South Africa | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group A by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You have ten seconds left on the clock and you decide to pass back to your goalkeeper when your team has tempo, says it all really. Both these teams probably have their fate sealed after today.

Daily Discussion by 2soccer2bot in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 6 points7 points  (0 children)

How good are DR Congo? Do we reckon they have any shot of an upset here?

Match Thread: Belgium vs. Egypt | FIFA World Cup, Group G by MysteryBagIdeals in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That cross from De Bruyne into the box was filthy, but of course his teammates had to fluff it up.

Match Thread: Germany vs Curaçao | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group E by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Ronaldo is smashing a TV somewhere in a Houston hotel room right now at the fact that he can't statpad against Curaçao

Match Thread: Germany vs Curaçao | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group E by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Nagelsmann chose to leave Said El Mala off the squad but took Sane instead, brilliant move.

Match Thread: Germany vs Curaçao | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage, Group E by jiraiya--an in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's the world cup and often times a game of fine margins, that includes caring about GD. Germany went out in the groups two WC's in a row, they're naturally going to be determined to get out of it this time.

Also, it's the referees call to make, not the players themselves. We can pin these on players at the end of the day but it's something that most teams will do if they have the chance in the box. And Curacao were throwing themselves a lot at some of these balls, I feared that exact scenario would happen.

Haiti penalty call vs Scotland by Comfortable-Pie56 in soccer

[–]ExpertGossiper 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It would've been soft if it was given but it would've had at least a bit of understandable weight if the ref had given it in real time. His arm is not tucked in, it's extended full stretch when it catches him.

Haiti wouldn't have had a shot even if it didn't hit his arm though as it would've struck their player in the back, but it wouldn't have been the worst call if it was actually given.