Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan

[davek]

They were going out of the tournament with like 20 minutes to go. I really don't think this was some clever plan.

During injury time, I take your point though. They could have definitely pressed on more

If Spain wanted to turn the talent on they'd have beaten Japan 5-2 or 6-2...even in the last 20 minutes.

That was a stitch up.

As soon as Croatia finished second in their group this afternoon the Spaniush wanted second place in theirs.

How could any adult football fan not see that?!?!

 

[Drico]

Ha Ha ha.

That Spanish team weren't even trying.

They'll reach the final at least if they avoid France in the SFs.

Perhaps they will. I'd doubt it, though.

 

[Street end man]

That ball was in Lark lane when the Jap pulled it back.

 

[davek]

Perhaps they will. I'd doubt it, though.

Joint favourites with France and Brazil for me...probably more so than Brazil.

 

[Wizard]

It's a competition. If that was Russia or China out there doign that there'd be loads here screaming like good little spoon fed sheep to throw them out the tournament.

What is the ultimate goal of a competition? To win it. They realised what the needed to do and did it.

 

[Nymzee]

If Spain wanted to turn the talent on they'd have beaten Japan 5-2 or 6-2...even in the last 20 minutes.

That was a stitch up.

As soon as Croatia finished second in their group this afternoon the Spaniush wanted second place in theirs.

How could any adult football fan not see that?!?!

This would make more sense if there wasn't the chance Spain could get knocked out.

 

[davek]

What is the ultimate goal of a competition? To win it. They realised what the needed to do and did it.

Yes...that's what i said - they tanked that game to get Morocco instead of Croatia.

 

[davek]

This would make more sense if there wasn't the chance Spain could get knocked out.

There was no chance Spain could get knocked out. They lost and knew that with a loss they went through.

Duh!

 

[Paris]

1. Dezember 2022, ein Tag, der in Schande leben wird.

 

[stipe]

Yes...that's what i said - they tanked that game to get Morocco instead of Croatia.

I think desire to evade Brazil (quarters) is more likely, Portugal, France (with injury crisis) and England are much more beatable

 

[Drico]

Joint favourites with France and Brazil for me...probably more so than Brazil.

Brazil are the big winners tonight. Spain have been taken out of their half of the draw. Only the Dutch and Argentinians are realistic threats to them now. Spain, meanwhile, are now over with France, Portugal, and England in the other half. All three of those could beat this Spanish outfit because they can all score goals. With Spain, you never quite know if they will remember to put the ball in the net. They'd be very strong with a striker, but they have a surfeit of show pony types and no forward unless they can get Morata doing it when it matters.

That said, no team is perfect. I thought Spain were a really good bet for the final, but I'm much less sure now. The Germans, in the end, should have beaten them - and that's no recommendation for any team these days.

 

[Wizard]

Yes...that's what i said - they tanked that game to get Morocco instead of Croatia.

So you agree the point of a competition is to win but you don’t think a team should do something to make that more likely?

I can’t believe I’ve been sucked into your nonsense again

 

[davek]

I think desire to evade Brazil (quarters) is more likely, Portugal, France (with injury crisis) and England are much more beatable

Yes, but whichever way you cut it that Spanish team tanked that game.


Anyone who knows a thing about football and how a game is being played can see that.

 

[MikeH72]

There was no chance Spain could get knocked out. They lost and knew that with a loss they went through.

Duh!

When Costa Rica were 2-1 up they were literally going out though?

 

[davek]

Brazil are the big winners tonight. Spain have been taken out of their half of the draw. Only the Dutch and Argentinians are realistic threats to them now. Spain, meanwhile, are now over with France, Portugal, and England in the other half. All three of those could beat this Spanish outfit because they can all score goals. With Spain, you never quite know if they will remember to put the ball in the net. They'd be very strong with a striker, but they have a surfeit of show pony types and no forward unless they can get Morata doing it when it matters.

That said, no team is perfect. I thought Spain were a really good bet for the final, but I'm much less sure now. The Germans, in the end, should have beaten them - and that's no recommendation for any team these days.

Only France can beat Spain. England and Portugal? Are you having a laugh? FFS!