GROUP A - Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

IMHO that Brazil team was the best at the 1998 tournament and may well have won if that thing had not happened to Ronaldo. The French team was obvs good but IMO not a standout team. I reckon it was on a similar level to the likes of Holland, Croatia, England and Argentina just below Brazil. I think the French win gave them the confidence to go on and really be the dominant side for the 200O Euros.

Agreed on Ronaldo, probably my favourite all time player. If not for injuries could've gone on to do what Messi and the other Ronaldo are doing now.

I don't think Brazil were the best to be honest

I think Holland were better and unlucky to get knocked out on penalties

They weren't overly popular back home either for their brand of football

 

[Billy Dean]

I don't think Brazil were the best to be honest

I think Holland were better and unlucky to get knocked out on penalties

They weren't overly popular back home either for their brand of football

Who Brazil?

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Who Brazil?

Oh yeah

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/08/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-ronaldo-france

Yet they had been heavily criticised throughout the tournament, a consequence of Zagallo’s caution, their rickety offence and their reliance on Ronaldo

 

[Billy Dean]

Oh yeah

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/08/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-ronaldo-france

Yet they had been heavily criticised throughout the tournament, a consequence of Zagallo’s caution, their rickety offence and their reliance on Ronaldo

I stand corrected. For some reason I remember them being really good.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I stand corrected. For some reason I remember them being really good.

They destroyed Chile I think, that was good, but yeah, aside from that they weren't great

I remember being disappointed as a kid after all the hype they'd got

 

[aazak]

Do Uruguay still have violent psychopaths for defenders?

 

[Rook]

Get the feeling that Salah is going to be Harry Kane levels of burned out for this.

 

[obc]

Do Uruguay still have violent psychopaths for defenders?

... and a cannibal striker?

 

[ChesterBlue]

Uruguay are smashing this - I fancy them to go far in this tourno

 

[Billy Dean]

Uruguay are smashing this - I fancy them to go far in this tourno

Potential qf against France could be a sticking point though

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Get the feeling that Salah is going to be Harry Kane levels of burned out for this.

If he makes it now

I hope he does, just for the tournament's sake

 

[deipnosophist]

Sadly, Ramos has robbed the Muslim world of its chance to win this group. I am not one for construing ultra-elaborate conspiracy theories, but the nefarious fingerprints of Putin are all over this as well. I would not be at all surprised to learn that Ramos and Vladimir hatched the scheme to deny Mo his moment of World Cup glory. We all know Putin is a dab hand at judo and you'd have to think that that is where Ramos learned that 'chicken wing' manoeuvre...it's the only rational conclusion.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

 

[Harryflashman]

Sadly, Ramos has robbed the Muslim world of its chance to win this group. I am not one for construing ultra-elaborate conspiracy theories, but the nefarious fingerprints of Putin are all over this as well. I would not be at all surprised to learn that Ramos and Vladimir hatched the scheme to deny Mo his moment of World Cup glory. We all know Putin is a dab hand at judo and you'd have to think that that is where Ramos learned that 'chicken wing' manoeuvre...it's the only rational conclusion.

He’s all better apparently

 

[deipnosophist]

He’s all better apparently

This news should effect sheer delight, and sunny optimism, across the entire Muslim world...