2018 FIFA World Cup Megathread

[The South Falls]

Final. You then truly know you are second.

If we really want to know then I suppose we should just ask the Dutch, who have experienced both in recent years.

The Dutch are the Carolina Panthers of Fifa.

[Nimzonia]

Losing in the final is better, because then you don't have to play in the third place playoff, the most pointless and miserable game in all of sport.

[The Blaatschapen]

Final. You then truly know you are second.

If we really want to know then I suppose we should just ask the Dutch, who have experienced both in recent years.

Not qualifying is the worst.

Well, except for out in the group phase. We haven't done that since last millennium in the world cup.

[Yaana Noore]

If we really want to know then I suppose we should just ask the Dutch, who have experienced both in recent years.

Not qualifying is the worst.

Well, except for out in the group phase. We haven't done that since last millennium in the world cup.

Yeah, I get that. Remember the feeling from 2008, it's like watching a party you're not invited to through a window.

I hope the Netherlands qualify in 2020, I miss you guys! One of my favourite teams to watch, or at least you used to be.

[San Regada]

Thinking about putting money on Uruguay-France, but on who? As much as I want to root for Uruguay out of a ethno-patriotism side (la Raza Española/Hispanidad), I dont think Suarez & Co can stop the devastating Mbappe-Griezmann-Pavard-Giroud wombo combo in their tracks. Brazil still doesn't look like they are playing at their full potential, and Neymars recent theatrics means has put a sour taste in my mouth. Welp, there goes la Raza Iberoamericana lol.

Well that, and I personally want to see France vs Russia. A brilliant test to see just how good this Russian team is. Since they drew out and then beat Spain, I'm assuming Croatia will be a slight downgrade, then again, Croatia was much stronger than Spain in the group stages imo. Belgium/Brazil-Russia/Croatia, for me, would be both an unexpected appearance and hopefully a brilliant match up. Squeezing Sweden into there somewhere also could be fun but they lack that attacking flare they'd have with... Zlatan. Oh, England vs Croatia would be brilliant too. Euro 2008 anyone?

[Relikai]

Perhaps a shocker if the underdogs Sweden actually manage to knock England out the next round. This English team lacks the inter-team rivalry of the past teams it seems, and perhaps a more compatible midfield than a Gerrard-Lampard attempt. Finally they win something in penalties, at least there's an achievement!

Rooting for Belgium when they play against the Hollywood of Brazil. Maybe Neymar's tears would be real by the end of 120 minutes of game time at Kazan. Does he cry more, or sweat more, that is the question. De Bruyne and Hazard to carry on their form, and Lukaku to finally grab a goal hopefully. Brazil would be seeking to attack, so catching them on the counter would create more chances.

Although Mbappe has stolen the show so far, the main playmakers of the French team so far would have been Pogba and Hernandez combining for space on the left to distribute into the center-right. Lloris would have to step up his game against a more united and cohesive Uruguay compared to Argentina.

Modric & Co to continue their fine play against a physical and dogged Russia. Now that most of the 'boring teams' are out (Eyes Spain and Germany), the sieve would be finished with a heartbreak for the home side after a fine run.

[Bombadil]

Round of Sixteen:
Uruguay over Portugal - I think Uruguay have a strong chance to take this with a better overall team
France over Argentina - given France finally step up and Messi doesn't have a blistering game
Brazil over Mexico - fair enough
Belgium over Japan - sure
Spain over Russia - yup
Croatia over Denmark - I quite like Croatia
Sweden over Switzerland - I suspect Sweden's long ball hoofing tactics will work
England over Colombia - eesh.. I just haven't seen Colombia play so merely out of patriotism I'll let this stand

Ok so I went 7 from 8 for the 4th round, with Spain as a fair miscall but that does change my quarters, which I predicted as..

Quarterfinals:
France over Uruguay - though could be an upset
Belgium over Brazil - I think Belgium could do this
Spain over Croatia - game of this round for me
England over Sweden - or Colombia depending..

I'll stick with France.. I'm thinking to twist with Belgium given their performance against Japan and Brazil's against Mexico but what the hell.. the way this WC has been going I might as well look at this as the major upset of the round. Then it's Russia not Spain.. so I'm going to go for Croatia because if Russia win again I think questions will be asked, I actually think it better for Russia to bravely go out in the quarters.. then I guess I have to stay with England over Sweden.

Then to semi's..

Well here I go into fantasy land to make up for last night's snooze fest..

Semifinals:
Belgium over France
England over Croatia

Yeah well.. it's fantasy land isn't it..

Third Place Playoff:
Spain over France

Final:
England vs. Belgium - two teams enter, one team leaves..

This could still stand and might be fitting given they both rested so many players in their final group game. I don't really care about third place playoff..

[Forsher]

I don't really care about third place playoff..

You mean, you don't care about some of the tournament's best teams playing a match under conditions where they don't care about losing but find winning still has its attractions? This is like the holy grail of incentive designs in sports.

[Bombadil]

I don't really care about third place playoff..

You mean, you don't care about some of the tournament's best teams playing a match under conditions where they don't care about losing but find winning still has its attractions? This is like the holy grail of incentive designs in sports.

I mean I don't care who wins, I'll watch the game but there's not much riding on it.

[Forsher]

You mean, you don't care about some of the tournament's best teams playing a match under conditions where they don't care about losing but find winning still has its attractions? This is like the holy grail of incentive designs in sports.

I mean I don't care who wins, I'll watch the game but there's not much riding on it.

First the worst, second the best and third the Golden Eagle. That's like the coolest thing in that whole rhyme listicle.

(Also, Italy and the Netherlands' failing to qualify is probably a key reason this world cup has been so topsy turvy, so I guess they get to demonstrate Zero the Hero.)

[MERIZoC]

My last round of predictions did not go so well (though could have been even worse if not for the endings of England/Colombia and Japan/Belgium lol), but here goes for this round.

France-Uruguay
Brazil-Belgium
Croatia-Russia
Sweden-England

Brazil-France
Croatia-Sweden

Brazil-Croatia (!!!)

3rd—France-Sweden

this'll probably be wrong too but oh well. O hexa is coming, baby.

[San Regada]

Here's what I want to happen...

Uruguay will beat France
Brazil will beat Belgium
Russia will beat Croatia
Sweden will beat England

Uruguay will beat Brazil
Russia will beat Sweden

Russia will beat Uruguay and win the World Cup
Sweden will beat Brazil and finish third place

Here's what I think will happen...

France will beat Uruguay
Belgium will beat Brazil
Croatia will beat Russia
England will beat Sweden

France will beat Belgium
Croatia will beat England

France will beat Croatia to win the World Cup
England will beat Belgium and finish third place

Can't wait to see how horribly wrong I got this...

[Riemstagrad]

Predictions:

Uruguay over France
Belgium over Brazil
Croatia over Russia
England over Sweden



Belgium over Uruguay
England over Croatia

Belgium A over England A

[Chan Island]

My sole prediction right now is to happily sing "It's coming home."

[Bendicion]

France will be WC 2018 Champions.

[Risottia]

I'd guess:
France beat Uruguay
Belgium beat Brazil
Russia beat Croatia
Sweden beat England

[The Blaatschapen]

My guess, alireza faghani as ref for the final.

[Skarten]

Wait,there are actual people who are saying that belgium will beat brazil?
Pathetic.

[Skarten]

My last round of predictions did not go so well (though could have been even worse if not for the endings of England/Colombia and Japan/Belgium lol), but here goes for this round.

France-Uruguay
Brazil-Belgium
Croatia-Russia
Sweden-England

Brazil-France
Croatia-Sweden

Brazil-Croatia (!!!)

3rd—France-Sweden

this'll probably be wrong too but oh well. O hexa is coming, baby.

Menino Ney Vay trazer o Hexa

[Freezic Vast]

Wait,there are actual people who are saying that belgium will beat brazil?
Pathetic.

Well excuse me but I am quite sick of Brazil getting all the attention.

[Skarten]

Wait,there are actual people who are saying that belgium will beat brazil?
Pathetic.

Well excuse me but I am quite sick of Brazil getting all the attention.

Well it's not my fault that brazil is the best at Football.

[Bombadil]

Wait,there are actual people who are saying that belgium will beat brazil?
Pathetic.

Wait there are actual people who are saying that [insert unfancied team that beat fancied team]..

South Korea beat Germany, Russia beat Spain.. and those were actual shocks, not a team with Hazard, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Kompany, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Courtois, Batshu.. ah well stretching on that last one.

Perhaps Brazil should win, they have the heritage, a good team and certainly a desire to wipe away the memories of a 7-1 crushing last time round but to express shock that a European team playing in Europe might beat a South American team looking at how it matches up..

..I have to think you're one of these people who run on team brand over the actual odds.

Well it's not my fault that brazil is the best at Football.

Oh.. now I know you are.

[Yaana Noore]

Seem pretty overrated to me. They're good but not great, haven't been playing tht well either.

[Vassenor]

Well excuse me but I am quite sick of Brazil getting all the attention.

Well it's not my fault that brazil is the best at Football.

-insert Neymar theatrics here-

[Skarten]

Wait,there are actual people who are saying that belgium will beat brazil?
Pathetic.

Wait there are actual people who are saying that [insert unfancied team that beat fancied team]..

South Korea beat Germany, Russia beat Spain.. and those were actual shocks, not a team with Hazard, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Kompany, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Courtois, Batshu.. ah well stretching on that last one.

Perhaps Brazil should win, they have the heritage, a good team and certainly a desire to wipe away the memories of a 7-1 crushing last time round but to express shock that a European team playing in Europe might beat a South American team looking at how it matches up..

..I have to think you're one of these people who run on team brand over the actual odds.

Well it's not my fault that brazil is the best at Football.

Oh.. now I know you are.

Well, now here's the thing, we're doing pretty good this WC. And i'm pretty sure that we have good odds of beating Belgium.
Also, that's what you do. You say "My team is better."
As long as you're not starting a riot, there's no problem in cheering for your team.