World Cup 2022 - Team and Match Discussion

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 3:54pm

De Bruyne with 2 back-to-back ineffective games. Not my best midfielder in the world.

Deserved win for Morocco. They are tough to break down and wouldn't be an easy opponent. Great chance to qualify for them.

yerwanthere123 · 27-11-2022 3:56pm

Beaten by Morocco and outplayed by Canada, what a world cup Belgium are having.

gormdubhgorm · 27-11-2022 3:57pm

Fair fecks to Morocco, fans and players in tears of joy That is what it is all about, no fluke either. And the Moroccan fans must be in the running for fans of the tournament?

gormdubhgorm · 27-11-2022 4:00pm

I was thinking of the Japan v Costa Rica. Japan got caught out by complacency and making a load of changes. Like what Italy did in Euro 96 v the Czech Republic and underestimated the Czech team.

irishguitarlad · 27-11-2022 4:08pm

Delighted Belgium lost, they absolutely deserved zero from the Canada game as well. A team of spoofers.

BorneTobyWilde · 27-11-2022 4:08pm

Only once has a team lost their opening WC game, but then went on to win WC.

Spain 2010

theoneeyedman · 27-11-2022 4:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927817#Comment_119927817

.... led by another spoofer.

Plenty of talented players there, but too of the likes of Hazard and Witsel and even Lukaku who seem happy enough to take the big paycheck without putting in the hard yards off the field.

Bobby Martinez is lucky to be in a well paid job like that, not an elite level coach, would he get a top Championship job at this stage?

breezy1985 · 27-11-2022 4:15pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927652#Comment_119927652

No.

gormdubhgorm · 27-11-2022 4:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927779#Comment_119927779

Martinez could be next Irish manager at this rate because no one else would take him.

castletownman · 27-11-2022 4:17pm

Witsel has some amount of caps for a fella with a 'meh' career.

De Bruyne has every right to be frustrated though with Hazard looking like he couldn't care less, and a coach completely out of his depth.

Belgium could have attracted an out of work big name at any stage over the last few years and won a tournament.

breezy1985 · 27-11-2022 4:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927836#Comment_119927836

I wouldn't put Lukaku in that list. Didn't always work for him in the Premier League but he went looking for a club where he could start any time it didn't.

He ain't happy to sit on benches like Hazard.

MisterAnarchy · 27-11-2022 4:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927646#Comment_119927646

De Bruyne doesnt deliver when the chips are down.

Always goes awol for Belgium and City in the Champions league.

He is grossly overatted.

gormdubhgorm · 27-11-2022 4:28pm

Peter Collins has gotten even worse as a presenter. Talk about an awkward sign off after the Moroccan match. Informed us Mick Meagan died - sad passing. Then really awkwardly tried to shoehorn it in again at the end when signing off.

After summarising the previous match and throwing in the Meagan news again, with loads of ems and really awkward pauses. Really poor presenting.

castletownman · 27-11-2022 4:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927867#Comment_119927867

I don't agree. After half a decade of hearing about the Belgian golden generation, how many playing today are regularly playing champions league?

Courtouis yeah, but he made two massive boo-boos today (one goal scratched off), two ageing, former great centre-backs, Hazard is not worth talking about and Bishuyai has had more clubs than Tiger Woods.

I'd cut a frustrated figure if I was him too

sligeach · 27-11-2022 5:02pm

What a start for Canada. Great cross, great header. 1-0. 1 minute and 5 seconds on the clock.

citytillidie · 27-11-2022 5:02pm

Go Canada go

ShamoBuc · 27-11-2022 5:04pm

Exactly what the game needed.

Mr.Crinklewood · 27-11-2022 5:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927977#Comment_119927977

Martin Keown just referred to them as "USA":-)

Damien360 · 27-11-2022 5:14pm

Can’t see Canada holding out. Very poor passing out of the back line.

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 5:27pm

Beautiful move from Croatia. Just offside.

ShamoBuc · 27-11-2022 5:36pm

Nicely taken goal.

Damien360 · 27-11-2022 5:36pm

Finally. Well deserved

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 5:37pm

That's been coming. Croatia have responded well.

sligeach · 27-11-2022 5:37pm

Probably a just about deserved equaliser.

theoneeyedman · 27-11-2022 5:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928061#Comment_119928061

Brilliant finish - didn't he also score the disallowed goal in the corner with his right foot a few minutes ago?

dastardly00 · 27-11-2022 5:41pm

After Canada took the lead they sat back and invited Croatia on to them. It'll be interesting to see what shape the game will take now

sligeach · 27-11-2022 5:44pm

A Canada, what have ye done?

ShamoBuc · 27-11-2022 5:44pm

Another fine goal, their passing has been very good,

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 5:44pm

Croatia turn it around. Nice finish by Livaja.

yerwanthere123 · 27-11-2022 5:47pm

Great start by Canada but they're getting outplayed now, Croatia have really upped the ante. Would still like them to get a point out of this though.

fyfe79 · 27-11-2022 5:52pm

Canada's captain needs to come off if they are to have any hope. I think he's 39? Absolutely no legs left and Croatia are strolling past him in midfield.

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 6:13pm

Gvardiol has done well.

Nearly 3-1. Lovely move by Modric.

ShamoBuc · 27-11-2022 6:31pm

That's Canada gone.

sligeach · 27-11-2022 6:31pm

That's probably the end of this match and Canada. 3-1.

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 6:32pm

Kramaric with a nice finish. Another lovely goal from Croatia. I've been impressed by them.

gormdubhgorm · 27-11-2022 6:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928219#Comment_119928219

A football team can win without 'legs' apparently! 😁

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 6:56pm

Majer makes it 4. Pleased for him. Unselfish by Orsic.

Good performance by Croatia, particularly impressed by Gvardiol, Modric and Kovacic.

Bluebb993 · 27-11-2022 7:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119927867#Comment_119927867

There's a stat out there(can't find it) but KDB has won 75% MOTM awards in games he's played for City in the champions leauge since he joined.

Mr.Nice Guy · 27-11-2022 7:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119928412#Comment_119928412

Wouldn't pay much notice to that. He got one after the Canada game as well and this is what he said:

https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1595538697260244999

Spain vs Germany should be a good game. Germany need a response after the poor opener. I'll go for 2-2.

martyos121 · 27-11-2022 8:12pm

This Spain side are a joy to watch, a breath of fresh air from their teams over the last 8 years or so. They have all the control of those teams, but now there's a proper willingness to attack as well. The monotonous recycling of possession has been coached out by Enrique it seems.

Never thought I'd find myself supporting them in a tournament again, especially after 2018, but I'd be quite happy for them to go all the way here.