The "Bracket" or The "Second Phase"

[st.domingo]

They failed to get out of the group stage 3 times and were knocked out at the round of 16 three times....oh, and failed to qualify for 3 world cups

One SF and one final reached in 19 tournaments. They're not very good at this are they?

i think what you meant to say is that they got out of the group at 12/15 WC’s lol

 

[Toffeeslam]

They failed to get out of the group stage 3 times and were knocked out at the round of 16 three times....oh, and failed to qualify for 3 world cups

One SF and one final reached in 19 tournaments. They're not very good at this are they?

3 semi finals

1966, 1990 and 2018

Dave if you going to contribute or provide your anti English bile then at least get you facts right

Mind you got the same relationship with facts as Rafael Benitez

 

[stipe]

It would be nice if Cameroon shock Brazil today and Swiss pump Serbia and finish 1st, Brazil then follow Spain in your side of bracket.

Speaking as Croat it would be ideal, we evading Brazil in (possible) quarters and of course Serbs out, two birds with one stone

 

[Yarrgh]

Back when I was a lad, circa 1982, we referred to the later rounds of a World Cup as "the second phase". That was probably because it wasn't a straight knockout but a hybrid system of groups and semi-finals. But the term stuck and, frankly, it still sounds grander than "the bracket" or "pelvic contusion" or whatever euphemism is in vogue today.

So, the bracket then.

View attachment 194174

I normally only get interested once the pelvic contusions start.

Up the Fierce!

 

[Yarrgh]

I always called it 'the England-less stage'.

Button it Taff.








lollollol

 

[davek]

3 semi finals

1966, 1990 and 2018

Dave if you going to contribute or provide your anti English bile then at least get you facts right

Mind you got the same relationship with facts as Rafael Benitez

Sorry, yes you're correct. It's 3 SFs in 72 years.

 

[Wizard]

Not ideal for the Dutch with the game less than 24 hours away

 

[Drico]

An entertaining end to the first phase with some big names out, but now it's time to pay the bill. Whisper it: the second round doesn't look like much cop. There isn't one game there that you could reasonably describe as mouthwatering.

This tournament will be defined by the last eight onwards. If I was a betting man, I would plump for USA v. Argentina (yes, I think we could see another shock tomorrow), Brazil v. Croatia (I think the Japanese fairytale ends here and the Koreans will be fodder), Portugal v. Spain (both to struggle past Switzerland and Morocco), and France v. England (with the hype going nuclear in Blighty).

From there, Argentina v. Brazil is anyone's, while I'd favour the French to squeeze past all-comers on the other side, but not with any comfort. FIFA's dream Messi-Ronaldo final is very much on. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but VAR's interventions in their games will be very instructive.

 

[allen]

Not ideal for the Dutch with the game less than 24 hours away

It’s not like the Dutch to fall apart at a major tournament…

 

[Drico]

The last 16 looks a little underwhelming to me. Sure, interesting matches, but nothing that really screams "World Cup classic" - and no heavyweight confrontations.

I think the Americans might do the Dutch on penalties. Certainly, if they can take it to penalties, the Dutch rarely win those. So, nip and tuck this one as Van Gaal's boys haven't really impressed me so far. The Americans look an honest, organised bunch. That won't win you a World Cup, but it could win you a knockout match at this stage...

I can't see Australia beating Argentina. I think the South Americans have had their shock and will be vigilant. Australia have done tremendously, but this should be a step too far.

Sunday's matches appear straightforward. France have too much firepower for a craven Poland who were dreadful when it mattered against Argentina. Goalkeeper aside, the Poles were rabbits caught in headlights. Now it's Mbappe and Co driving the car. Will the Poles free themselves now they have escaped the group? If they do, and shock the champs, start putting your pounds on England who will overpower a Senegal missing too many key players. As a devout ABE (hey, I'm Irish), I always say: "It's coming home"...until it isn't.

 

[degsy]

I always called it 'the England-less stage'.

Or when 'the only here to make up the numbers' duffers are...mostly...all on their way home and the real world cup actually starts

 

[Drico]

Or when 'the only here to make up the numbers' duffers are...mostly...all on their way home and the real world cup actually starts

Let's be fair: that's the quarter-finals onwards in this tournament.

 

[degsy]

Let's be fair: that's the quarter-finals onwards in this tournament.

Nah I'm OK with the16 thing, the odd over achiever is allowed to have their chance at glory...it's the International equivalent of being the last League One or Two team in the 5th round of the FA Cup...it's about the glory