Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

[Rook]

France will eat Poland alive. Yes, Lewandowski might do something special - that's always a risk - but Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud, and Dembele have way too much for the mediocre Poles. Their performance tonight shows them to be second round fodder. Argentina aren't even that good, but they were worth a four or five goal hiding tonight. The goalkeeper kept the score down - and the Poles in.

Argentina will get a game off the Australians, but really, the Saudi shocker should mean they don't fall victim to hubris. The Dutch will probably squeeze past the Americans, but that's arguably the tightest of the four pairings we know so far. England will huff and puff and eventually blow down Senegal, I suspect. Mane is a massive loss now.

Netherlands win if they attack us, right from the start.

If the Netherlands play defensive the US will win or at least take it to pens. Though I suppose Holland can gamble and lucky w/ a late goal in regulation if we pull all our attackers like against Iran. Yes the US has no goal scorers but they are due to break through w/ a 2-3 goal match w/ some of the excellent chances they've gotten.

Argentina suddenly one of the favs as they were gifted w/ this corner of the bracket.

If Poland plays to win they have a shot. you aren't sitting deep for 7-10 min of stoppage time + perhaps ET and taking out france.

 

[Rook]

Mexico finally discovered that scoring goals is possible if you actually try to score goals.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Bemused to see Ramiro Funes Mori on a Mexico shirt... before I realised its his twin ?

 

[wm02]

It is goals scored before discipline. Discipline is the 6th tie breaker. The tie-breakers are:

1) Overall group goal difference
2) Overall group goals scored
3) Head to head (H2H) result
4) H2H goal difference in all matches between the teams still level
5) H2H goals scored in all matches between the teams still level
6) Fair play points
7) Drawing of lots

Points 4 and 5 only apply if more than two teams are tied on the previous criteria.

After getting to #5 rather than fair play points or drawing of lots, I’d say have a penalty shootout between the two countries the following day

 

[Wizard]

After getting to #5 rather than fair play points or drawing of lots, I’d say have a penalty shootout between the two countries the following day

That would work in a place like Qatar given it's basically taking place in a small city. But say in Russia or Brazil, you could be talking thousands of miles between stadiums/bases.

 

[PITA]

Just seen the highlights. The absolute state of that penalty decision given to Argentina.

 

[Huyton Layne]

Bemused to see Ramiro Funes Mori on a Mexico shirt... before I realised its his twin ?

Seen brothers play for different countries before but twin brothers has to be a first

 

[4737carlin]

Seen brothers play for different countries before but twin brothers has to be a first

Actually I convinced myself it was really the same guy who played for us when he made a ridiculous erratic pass at the end

 

[4737carlin]

Seen brothers play for different countries before but twin brothers has to be a first

Actually I convinced myself it was really the same guy who played for us when he made a ridiculous erratic pass at the end

 

[carolinablue232]

Marginally better than lots, I suppose.

Idk if it is actually. Fortunately didn’t matter in the end.

 

[Drico]

Idk if it is actually. Fortunately didn’t matter in the end.

Well, you have some control over your behaviour. You have none over lots. One is utterly random, the other is at least partially controllable. I mean, I criticise refs like any fan, but without the late Saudi goal last night the Mexicans would have been out of the World Cup not because of some spurious rule, but because they behaved like thugs against the Argentinians. So, the rule isn't great - but it's still better than the random nonsense of lots.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

That would work in a place like Qatar given it's basically taking place in a small city. But say in Russia or Brazil, you could be talking thousands of miles between stadiums/bases.

Play station penalty shoot out then.

 

[EFC78]

What goes against Messi for me is that he's only ever done it in a fantastic Barca side and a pub league with PSG.

Ronaldo has smashed it in England, Spain, Italy and achieved more on the international stage.

Not true. Portugal were extremely lucky to get through the groups when they won the Euros and he went off in the final. Hes won the Euros, Messi the Cops America. But Messis played in World Cup Final winning player of the tournament.

 

[Connor]

Revenge tour