2018 FIFA World Cup Megathread

[Esternial]

Latest memes are out

[Chan Island]

Latest memes are out

(Image)

Glorious

[HC Eredivisie]

I like that Brasil is out of the wC, but on the other hand I don't want Belgium to win.

And who said that UEFA is overrepresented in the WC?

[Omerica]

Football is the Europeans' game.
Fifth World Cup in a row.

*cough* fourth *cough*

Funnily enough, none of the top four from the last tournament have reached the semifinals this time. The last time that happened: 1966. Yet more proof that football is indeed coming home.

2018: (none)
2014: Germany, Netherlands
2010: Germany
2006: Germany
2002: Brazil
1998: Brazil
1994: Italy
1990: West Germany
1986: West Germany, France
1982: Italy
1978: Netherlands, Brazil
1974: West Germany, Brazil
1970: West Germany
1966: (none)
1962: Brazil
1958: West Germany
1954: Uruguay
1950: Brazil
1938: Italy
1934: (none)

[Fartsniffage]

Belgium 2K18
Coming home status: it’s not

Don't worry, we'll put the cup on display so the other, lesser, home nations can come and look at it.

[Geisenfried]

When we reconvene in Qatar in 4 years' time, it will have been 20 years since a South American team last won a World Cup.

Much as I'm enjoying this version, I'm not remotely convinced that's a good thing.

To be fair, the only non-European team to win a European World Cup featured Pelé, so... it's not exactly unexpected for there to be struggles.

[Minoa]

I think it is going to be a toss-up for Russia vs. Croatia: based on the Elo and FIFA rankings, Croatia may have an advantage, but any host nations (e.g. South Korea in 2002 and France in 1998) tend to perform well.

[The Archregimancy]

When we reconvene in Qatar in 4 years' time, it will have been 20 years since a South American team last won a World Cup.

Much as I'm enjoying this version, I'm not remotely convinced that's a good thing.

To be fair, the only non-European team to win a European World Cup featured Pelé, so... it's not exactly unexpected for there to be struggles.

I know; but the same principle didn't apply to South Africa or Brazil.

[Geisenfried]

To be fair, the only non-European team to win a European World Cup featured Pelé, so... it's not exactly unexpected for there to be struggles.

I know; but the same principle didn't apply to South Africa or Brazil.

Well, there'd never been an African cup, and Spain was probably the best team in the world at the time.

Brazil was a surprise, but I don't think anyone expected 7-1. Argentina still was basically 5 minutes from a tossup penalty shootout at the end.

[Scottish Socialists]

Belgium 2K18
Coming home status: it’s not

Don't worry, we'll put the cup on display so the other, lesser, home nations can come and look at it.

Why would we want to travel to England to see a cup that’s in Belgium?

[Yaana Noore]

I think it is going to be a toss-up for Russia vs. Croatia: based on the Elo and FIFA rankings, Croatia may have an advantage, but any host nations (e.g. South Korea in 2002 and France in 1998) tend to perform well.

FIFA rankings aren't a very good measure of how good a team really is, Croatia are rated worse than the Netherlands, Chile and Wales for some reason. Russia is also rated lower than they should be because they'd only played 3 competitive games in the past 2 years prior to the World Cup.

I think it is going to be a toss-up for Russia vs. Croatia: based on the Elo and FIFA rankings, Croatia may have an advantage, but any host nations (e.g. South Korea in 2002 and France in 1998) tend to perform well.

France were a really good side anyway to be fair. Home advantage helped them for sure but they were really strong anyway.
I'm not going to comment on Korea as I'm of the tinfoil belief that their run to the semis was rigged by FIFA to encourage the popularity of the WC in Asia.

Don't worry, we'll put the cup on display so the other, lesser, home nations can come and look at it.

Why would we want to travel to England to see a cup that’s in Belgium?

If you guys gave your own team anywhere near the level of support you give the team playing England you may be able to watch them at a tournament at some point.

[Scottish Socialists]

If you guys gave your own team anywhere near the level of support you give the team playing England you may be able to watch them at a tournament at some point.

We gave up supporting our own team a while ago.
At least we’ve qualified more than Finland, though.

[Yaana Noore]

If you guys gave your own team anywhere near the level of support you give the team playing England you may be able to watch them at a tournament at some point.

We gave up supporting our own team a while ago.
At least we’ve qualified more than Finland, though.

Done just as well as Finland at them though.

[Riemstagrad]

Again a game on the edge for Belgium!

To be honest, i always believed in it, but the closer to the kick-off, the less certain i was...
Probably having to do with reading loads of comments about how Martinez can't organise a defense or how a 3-4-3 would be a terrible idea against Brazil, or De Bruyne playing too deep, or Belgium never been tested in a real game or whatever...

But damn, we did it! We pulled it off!

Next is France-Belgium. I expect another nailbiter. France flooded with talent, but not at their top as a team yet. Can crush everyone on a good day, but so can Belgium.
Whoever wins that semi will be favourite in the final. But the final is quite another story. Half the world is watching, the stakes are high, the nerves are breaking... Anything can happen in a final.

[Bombadil]

Well.. unless some miracle happens..

I've gone out on a limb to say Belgium will beat Brazil.. to be honest they're not off France in that they don't have a good coach. De Bruyne is too far back generally given their system but I don't know exactly how they should play - I'd like to think a 3-4-1-2 system might work but I think they play 4-3-3.. and might go 5-3-2 for this game..

..none particularly works against Brazil but I think Brazil are nervous.. maybe an early goal for Belgium and they'd crack.. but it's a 2am game for me so I'll just wake up and see what happened. If I was Belgium I'd go classic 4-4-2 but who knows.. football eh?

No chance Belgium will play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, they've played a three-man defence throughout.

Seems they played 4-3-3 then switched to 4-4-2.. though technically I am wrong in that they won the first half with 4-3-3 but lost the second with 4-4-2.

..oh it was Brazil that switched to 4-4-2.. seems Belgium played 4-3-3 throughout.. I didn't see the game so just going off the reports.

[Yaana Noore]

No chance Belgium will play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, they've played a three-man defence throughout.

Seems they played 4-3-3 then switched to 4-4-2.. though technically I am wrong in that they won the first half with 4-3-3 but lost the second with 4-4-2.

..oh it was Brazil that switched to 4-4-2.. seems Belgium played 4-3-3 throughout.. I didn't see the game so just going off the reports.

They played 3-4-3. Alderweireld-Kompany-Vertonghen backline, Meunier and Chadli as wing-backs. Witsel and Fellaini in the middle, Hazard and De Bruyne just ahead of them with Lukaku up top (but kept going onto the wings). Chadli went off for Vermaelen late on and I think Vertonghen then moved further left. At no point did they play a conventional back four.

[Bombadil]

Seems they played 4-3-3 then switched to 4-4-2.. though technically I am wrong in that they won the first half with 4-3-3 but lost the second with 4-4-2.

..oh it was Brazil that switched to 4-4-2.. seems Belgium played 4-3-3 throughout.. I didn't see the game so just going off the reports.

They played 3-4-3. Alderweireld-Kompany-Vertonghen backline, Meunier and Chadli as wing-backs. Witsel and Fellaini in the middle, Hazard and De Bruyne just ahead of them with Lukaku up top (but kept going onto the wings). Chadli went off for Vermaelen late on and I think Vertonghen then moved further left. At no point did they play a conventional back four.

Ah well I didn't watch so maybe.. I went off the report..

Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, heroes of that comeback, were included and the system was a surprising one: a 4-3-3 with De Bruyne deployed as a false nine and Romelu Lukaku pulling right, seemingly to try to attack the space between Miranda and Marcelo.

[Fartsniffage]

Seems they played 4-3-3 then switched to 4-4-2.. though technically I am wrong in that they won the first half with 4-3-3 but lost the second with 4-4-2.

..oh it was Brazil that switched to 4-4-2.. seems Belgium played 4-3-3 throughout.. I didn't see the game so just going off the reports.

They played 3-4-3. Alderweireld-Kompany-Vertonghen backline, Meunier and Chadli as wing-backs. Witsel and Fellaini in the middle, Hazard and De Bruyne just ahead of them with Lukaku up top (but kept going onto the wings). Chadli went off for Vermaelen late on and I think Vertonghen then moved further left. At no point did they play a conventional back four.

Not sure about that. They seemed to switch formations in the first half depending on whether they had the ball. A back 3 with wingbacks when in possession and a back 4 with fullbacks without, with Kompany stepping forward out of the line to protect the back 4.

[Risottia]

When we reconvene in Qatar in 4 years' time, it will have been 20 years since a South American team last won a World Cup.

Much as I'm enjoying this version, I'm not remotely convinced that's a good thing.

Idk.
Anyway, if the Cup must leave the UEFA eventually, I'd prefer it to go to Africa rather than South America. African football is more fun.

[Great Minarchistan]

>We lost to a non-country
TrIGGeREd, now I'll have to study for a history exam and a biology exam (both will happen in tuesday) because my country won't be playing anymore

[Risottia]

Latest memes are out

(Image)

Quit it with the memes, it's not a pissing contest...

...oh wait...

[Risottia]

Seems they played 4-3-3 then switched to 4-4-2.. though technically I am wrong in that they won the first half with 4-3-3 but lost the second with 4-4-2.

..oh it was Brazil that switched to 4-4-2.. seems Belgium played 4-3-3 throughout.. I didn't see the game so just going off the reports.

They played 3-4-3. Alderweireld-Kompany-Vertonghen backline, Meunier and Chadli as wing-backs. Witsel and Fellaini in the middle, Hazard and De Bruyne just ahead of them with Lukaku up top (but kept going onto the wings). Chadli went off for Vermaelen late on and I think Vertonghen then moved further left. At no point did they play a conventional back four.

I think I saw them going WM during the second half sometimes.

[MERIZoC]

>We lost to a non-country
TrIGGeREd, now I'll have to study for a history exam and a biology exam (both will happen in tuesday) because my country won't be playing anymore

fuck me, I have to agree with you

thats almost as bad as this loss

[Risottia]

Anyway, Brazil put, Argentina out, Uruguay out, Spain out, Portugal out... If it weren't for the minor facts that Germany's out too and Italy didn't even qualify, it would be my dreams coming true.

[Yaana Noore]

They played 3-4-3. Alderweireld-Kompany-Vertonghen backline, Meunier and Chadli as wing-backs. Witsel and Fellaini in the middle, Hazard and De Bruyne just ahead of them with Lukaku up top (but kept going onto the wings). Chadli went off for Vermaelen late on and I think Vertonghen then moved further left. At no point did they play a conventional back four.

Ah well I didn't watch so maybe.. I went off the report..

Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli, heroes of that comeback, were included and the system was a surprising one: a 4-3-3 with De Bruyne deployed as a false nine and Romelu Lukaku pulling right, seemingly to try to attack the space between Miranda and Marcelo.

Dunno where that is but it's incorrect, if you watch the game back you can see Chadli is the LWB. World Cup twitter has them lining up like so.

Could easily be wrong but Martinez has literally had them playing the back-three for whole time he has been there. No chance was he playing a regular back four with Vertonghen the left-back for a whole game.

Not sure about that. They seemed to switch formations in the first half depending on whether they had the ball. A back 3 with wingbacks when in possession and a back 4 with fullbacks without, with Kompany stepping forward out of the line to protect the back 4.

The three/five at the back is pretty fluid which is one of its main advantages. Kompany just advances further without the ball as the covering defender for the other two and then falls back in once they have got the ball. He's going forwards yes but his actual position is a CB in-between A and V there. If you look at their line they are always looking to stay co-ordinated he is just closing in faster with the one who has the ball allowing the other two to watch the movement of the Brazil's other attacking players. It's a back three just working together not a change in formation, Meunier and Chadli never tracked back far enough or for long enough for one of them to slot into a back four anyway.

I give him a lot of flak for his poor defensive tactics but Martinez got this one almost spot on, fair play.