2018 FIFA World Cup Megathread

[DesAnges]

Morocco play nice football.. how the hell did they lose to Iran?

Luck, luck, luck, and a decent goalkeeping performance.

[Bombadil]

Morocco play nice football.. how the hell did they lose to Iran?

Everybody who's seen the Morocco / Iran match has asked the same thing.

They're certainly playing Portugal off the park right now, Ronaldo's early goal notwithstanding.

They seem to have a laser like focus on missing the goal..

[Bombadil]

They're basically Arsenal at a national level..

[Yaana Noore]

You miss my point.. it's not that penalties are wrongly given but that fouls are not being called.. better made here..

Video review isn’t just changing the way this sport is refereed. It’s changing officials’ decision-making.

Referees at this World Cup are swallowing their whistles and waiting to see if VAR helpers will advise them to review something.

The issue with that, of course, is VARs won’t page referees to review a decision unless a “clear and obvious” mistake is identified.

That’s an extremely high threshold to overturn an initial decision, meaning likely (but not “clear”) penalties are being denied teams that probably deserve them.

We’ve seen England, Brazil and Argentina denied penalties at this tournament because referees are deferring to video assistants to make decisions for them.

“It’s an interesting point and something we thought might happen,” ex-World Cup referee Howard Webb told the Toronto Sun last week.

“We were very keen to tell officials from the start that this is an additional tool that exists to assist them to avoid making clear errors.

“(We said), ‘Don’t think about the existence of the VAR. Referee the game normal. Make your call.’ You have to make a call. The job of the VAR is to decide if that call is a clear and obvious error.”

Through less than one full round of Matchday 1 fixtures, World Cup officials have utilized the video review process to award three penalties.

That tells me referees are hesitant to award them in the first place.

“You don’t want referees to change the way the game is officiated,” Webb added. “You want them to do the same job … We keep pushing that message on all the time.”

If that Webb is famous Manchester United supporter referee Howard Webb I'm inclined to dismiss that opinion out of hand.

The problem is the piece you add in here is not really relevant. VAR is only involved in the game-changing decisions - so, goals and penalties. It is not involved in many fouls outside of the box anyway as these are more minor so it has no bearing on the referees' decision making.

I take issue with this part " meaning likely (but not “clear”) penalties are being denied teams that probably deserve them." - because they can barely even give any examples! The referee missed the challenges on Kane in the box but it was difficult to see, he was not just waiting for VAR to let him know. The Brazil penalty incident was not a penalty anyway and I think the referee got that correct. I'll need a second look at the Argentina one but didn't think that was a penalty either when I saw it in real-time.

There have been errors in probably two games. Fouls on Harry Kane for England and Colombia cheated to win their FK which they scored from. One was difficult to see and the other VAR wasn't involved anyway and the ref got conned. There's been almost 16 games and I can name just two incorrect calls, how is that not a sign that the reffing has been good?

[Kohr]

Since I happen to live in Germany, it's clear which team I'm cheering for - that being said, that match on Mexico was disappointing for me, and I seriously hope they're gonna improve from now on. (Though, it appears to be some particularity that Germany never manages a good play after they became World Champion - someone has already posted according stats in this thread).

Since I also happen to be of Serbian origin, I'm also cheering for them. Of course I'm realistic, so I don't think they're gonna make it very far. Though, the game against Costa Rica was a nice watch - so was the Croatian match (Ex YU need to stick together in any international competition ).

And of course, I can't deny I also support the host nation to some degree - I generally like Russia (the country - we're not talking about the government, that's another story), and they've been a nice watch so far, too.

In case my favorites are out after the group stage, I'm gonna look for some underdog I'll support then (accepting suggestions ^^).

Support Iceland. They'll definitely make it out of the group stage!

[Relikai]

Underserved win by Portugal, who retained the strategy of keeping Ronaldo fresh at the front.

Joao Mario being a profligate waster of the ball during possession, as was Gelson Martins. Excellent play by Rui Patricio though, definitely given the chance to shine against a dogged Morrocan attack. Almost every shot on target during the last 20 minutes demanded a save worthy of the highlight reel.

Crunch match for Portugal next, as should Iran lose, would need to Draw in order to go through, otherwise they would be knocked down by Head to Head Goal Difference if they even lose by 1 goal.

Spain needs a win to match Portugal's standing at 4 points, and a loss would require them to win Morocco in their final game, AND hope Portugal loses to Iran by a large goal margin.

[The Archregimancy]

Suarez not up to his usual tricks so far; scoring goals, fine, but no cannibalism yet.

It must be because the Saudis have been fasting for Ramadan. They're still a bit stringy; lacking in flavour.

[San Regada]

Sorry for my earlier outburst, I did not handle the situation the right way.

Now, does anyone think there is any chance of Saudia forcing a draw with Uruguay? The fact they are only 1-0 down (they lost 5-0 to Russia, a worse team than Uruguay) is shocking. I'm not watching the match rn so I cant confirm this but apparently Saudia has had more possession and shots than Uruguay.

[The Archregimancy]

Sorry for my earlier outburst, I did not handle the situation the right way.

Apology accepted.

I suggest other thread participants give San Regada a second chance, and that everyone move forward accordingly.

[Eglaecia]

12/19 games predicted correctly. Rather boring world cup so far, Russia have provided some great football so I'm gonna be excited if they can go the whole way and win.

[The Alma Mater]

Morocco play nice football.. how the hell did they lose to Iran?

Finding personal glory more important than team performance.

[DesAnges]

12/19 games predicted correctly. Rather boring world cup so far, Russia have provided some great football so I'm gonna be excited if they can go the whole way and win.

Er what

[Ko-oren]

First WC in a while that I haven't filled out a prediction for and first WC in a while without my country in... gotta say, I thought it would've been more boring as a neutral fan. So far I'm supporting Australia and Belgium.

12/19 games predicted correctly. Rather boring world cup so far, Russia have provided some great football so I'm gonna be excited if they can go the whole way and win.

Why Russia? Apart from sheer number of goals versus a weak Saudi team?

[DesAnges]

First WC in a while that I haven't filled out a prediction for and first WC in a while without my country in... gotta say, I thought it would've been more boring as a neutral fan. So far I'm supporting Australia and Belgium.

American?

[Ko-oren]

First WC in a while that I haven't filled out a prediction for and first WC in a while without my country in... gotta say, I thought it would've been more boring as a neutral fan. So far I'm supporting Australia and Belgium.

American?

Dutch, which is also why I'm supporting Belgium this time around.

[Starblaydia]

Iran's fans have discovered vuvuzelas. My ears now have PTSD.

[Lillorainen]

Iran's fans have discovered vuvuzelas. My ears now have PTSD.

Congratulations, it only took them eight years.

[San Regada]

Iran's fans have discovered vuvuzelas. My ears now have PTSD.

Didn't FIFA ban those?

[San Regada]

Nevermind, it was just a proposal.

[Ko-oren]

I swear I've heard vuvuzelas in other games as well...

[The Archregimancy]

Let's hope that Iran and Iceland never play each other in international football.

Clearly they're both brilliantly drilled in defence, and all due credit; clearly they're also among the two most stultifyingly dull teams ever to take the pitch.

[San Regada]

An impressive half so far from Iran. They've had a few attacking chances, but most importantly, Spain has never managed to really break down that Iranian defence. Still another 45 minutes for Spain to try and break down the Iranian defence or for Iran to try and go on the offensive, however, I do think that Iran is playing for a draw here. Let's remember that just getting a point out of this match will be a massive, massive morale boost for Iran going into the final game against Portugal, and does raise their chances of getting into the Round of 16. Though it can be debated that Iran is only in this position because if Morocco's unfortunate own goal, one can not dispute that the way that Iran played against the Moroccans, it is undeniable that Iran was systematically the better side. A draw would put Iran on 4 points and put Spain on 2. Should there be a draw, Morocco could help Iran if they avoid defeat against Spain, which would mean Iran - if they play like how they have played in this half - could force a draw with Portugal, or potentially get away with losing. This World Cup has had a lot of twists and turns; Iran going through at the expense of Spain would be a massive upset. Massive respect to the Iranian national team, considering they came into this World Cup with nothing and expected to do nothing compared to their opposition.

[Riemstagrad]

It all becomes clear now. Trump dismissed the Iran deal because he wants Iran to build his wall. And pay for it.

[Fartsniffage]

England have had their major injury for this world cup. Thankfully it's the manager who has dislocated his shoulder.

[San Regada]

England have had their major injury for this world cup. Thankfully it's the manager who has dislocated his shoulder.

Ouch. How'd Southgate do that?