BFTD Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 Spoiler Match 49 - France 1 Nigeria 2 Another big surprise for France after their defeat to Peru; they have most of the play but just can't convert it into chances. John Obi Mikel scores at around the half-hour mark, and there's that air of inevitability that this just isn't going to be France's day. When Antoine Griezmann finally manages to convert an equaliser, there's the notion that perhaps Nigeria have missed their chance, but Ahmed Musa thunders home a cracking header with quarter of an hour to go, and France can have no excuses for missing out. They only just made it through their group by a single goal, but Nigeria are into the quarter-finals to face either Uruguay or Iran. Only the fourth African quarter-finalist, and the first since Ghana in 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 A tie that had to be replayed, after an initial abandonment with the match level at 1-1 approaching half-time. Some might say the game crashed; I'm personally putting it down to a life-threatening outbreak of skitters affecting both teams. With the players recovered, and the strips/pitch dry-cleaned, we start again from scratch... Spoiler Match 50 - Uruguay 3 Iran 0 Not quite as straightforward as the scoreline would imply; Iran put in a good shift and have some decent chances of their own, but Uruguay are just far too sharp going forward. Uruguay now with four wins from four, scoring eleven goals without conceding. Intimidating stuff. Nigeria lie ahead in the quarter-finals, two sides who've never met before at a World Cup. It's hard to see past a Uruguay win; despite already putting out Argentina and France, the African side have blown hot and cold overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 3, 2018 Author Share Posted July 3, 2018 Spoiler Match 51 - Spain 2 Egypt 1 An early goal from Thiago puts Spain's noses in front, which has been enough for them to win every game so far, and there's practically nothing in the way of goalmouth action in the first half after that. Egypt manage to impose themselves a bit more in the second 45, but it's still a surprise when Mo Salah manages to convert a volley into an equaliser, the first goal conceded by Spain in the tournament. There's always the feeling that Spain could score more if they wanted to, however, and they're ahead again through Isco within ten minutes, a quality strike from the edge of the box. It's a solid performance from Egypt but, despite a couple of late chances, they can't get back on terms. Spain go on to face a quarter-final against either Peru or Iceland, only the former of whom have ever reached the stage before. Spain surely the favourites...but, then again, so were France in the group stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 Can this be the real World Cup please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 On 7/3/2018 at 23:05, RosspCfc said: Can this be the real World Cup please? I'm genuinely worried that, during future discussions of this World Cup, I'll be reminiscing about England putting six past Belgium and still going out in the first round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Spoiler Match 52 - Iceland 1 Peru 1 A very close match, with Peru proving the attacking flair, and Iceland bringing the organisation and close teamwork. Few chances, and it takes a rocket from Cueva on the hour to break the deadlock in Peru's favour, which looks as though it might be enough 'til Iceland strike on the break, Hallfredsson levelling with a simple tap-in. Once back on level terms, the game becomes a cagey affair, and extra-time is inevitable... Spoiler Extra-Time: Iceland 1 Peru 1 Few chances in the final half-hour, with both sides well aware of the consequences of conceding at this late stage. So, we're off to the first penalty shoot-out of the tournament... Spoiler Iceland will go first...Finnbogason steps up... Spoiler Wide to the keeper's right! Terrible miss! Guerrero steps up for Peru... Spoiler Simple pass to the bottom-left! 1-0 to Peru! Sigurdsson's turn...he runs up and batters it straight down the middle! Spoiler Saved by the keeper! Iceland in big trouble already! Cueva makes a casual run-up... Spoiler Oh, he's skied it! Two rounds in and Peru still lead 1-0. Sigurdarsson makes a long run up and slams it! Spoiler Back off the post! What do Iceland have to do to score? Advincula jogs up the the ball... Spoiler ...and sidefoots wide! Still 1-0 to Peru with three rounds gone! Sigurdsson makes a stuttering run... Spoiler ...and sidefoots past the keeper! Finally, Iceland score, and it's 1-1! Flores starts and stops, trying to fake the keeper out... Spoiler A terrible miss, chipping the ball and giving the keeper plenty of time to get to it! Four rounds in, and we're still tied at 1-1! Skulason takes a long run, and skips at the last minute! Spoiler Simple sidefoot to the keeper's left, and it's 2-1 to Iceland! Sudden death now - Peru must score or it's all over! Aquino's the man to take it...a long run-up, and he strikes it hard! Spoiler The keeper goes the wrong way - we're level again at 2-2! Bodvarsson for Iceland...a strange shimmying run, and he's watching for the keeper to blink first... Spoiler Horrible indecision; he put it straight down the middle and it's easy for the keeper to save. Peru go through if Cartagena can put this away...he looks nervous as he steps up... Spoiler ...and slams the ball into the keeper's legs! Still 2-2 after six rounds of penalties, and neither side look like they've put in a lot of practice. Gudmundsson's turn...another unsure approach... Spoiler He's beaten the keeper...but it hits the bar! Once again, Peru can finish this with their next shot! Trauco looks confident as he runs up... Spoiler He's pulled it well wide! It's like nobody actually wants to win this! Gunnarsson calmly steps up to break the run of misses... Spoiler Well saved by the keeper! Still no scoring, this is incredible. Yet again, Peru have progression in their own hands. Polo sets himself, then decides on a longer run-up...he makes for the ball... Spoiler A casual sidefoot with little power, but it's enough to get past Halldorsson! Peru win 2-3 on penalties and the team can't believe the torture is finally over! Peru go on to face Spain, and they'd better not be relying on scoring any penalties after that fiasco. It's the first World Cup meeting between the sides, and Spain will be heavy favourites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Spoiler Match 53 - Brazil 3 Germany 1 A dominant performance from Brazil, and it only takes five minutes for Gabriel Jesus to put them ahead. It takes every inch of Germany's Germanyness to stay with them, but they somehow manage to carve out an equaliser on the half-hour, Marco Reus making the most of a rare chance. The sides go in level at half-time after an extended period with Brazil virtually camped out in their opponents' penalty area. Brazil come out with extra determination, and are ahead within minutes through a thumping finish from Willian, and it's game over when Neymar buries a free-kick only a few minutes later. The Germans have little left in the tank to respond with and, one attempt hitting the post aside, most of the second half is spent keeping the score respectable. A fitting revenge for Brazil's humiliation four years prior. Belgium or Colombia lie in wait for Brazil in the quarter-finals, and either will have to be on their best form to have a chance. Brazil may have made a slow start to the tournament, but they're certainly firing on all cylinders now. Edit: Germany out without winning a game. Fancy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Spoiler Match 54 - Belgium 0 Colombia 2 Belgium start the way they finished against England, going two down within ten minutes, the first a free-kick dropped by Philippe Courtois and tapped in by Matheus Uribe. Before the Belgians can sort themselves out, Juan Cuadrado strikes from the edge of the box, with Courtois not getting a sniff of it. Belgium rally, but can't do any real damage, and there's always the suspicion that Colombia could step up a gear again if needed. An ignominious exit for the lowlanders; after such a promising start to their campaign, they completely fell apart. Brazil v Colombia still to come, then, with the sides meeting at the same stage in the last tournament. Brazil won through that game, which was their only prior encounter at a World Cup; it'll be an even trickier tie for Colombia this time out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Spoiler Match 55 - Mexico 1 Switzerland 1 An even game between two sides of similar ability, it takes a quick counter for the Swiss to take the lead with a beautiful finish from Drmic making the difference. Chances are scarce thereafter and, just when it starts to look like a single goal will be enough to send the Swiss through, a long ball from back to front falls to Javier Hernandez, who takes the opportunity with twenty minutes to go. The Swiss have the better of the final act, but poor finishing means that the game goes to extra-time. Spoiler Extra Time: Mexico 1 Switzerland 1 More action than in the prior 90 minutes, but neither side can hit the target, never mind score. Which doesn't bode well for the penalty shoot-out... Spoiler Fabian steps up...a pause during his approach... Spoiler Into the roof of the net! The keeper doesn't move. 1-0 to Mexico. Rodriguez jogs up... Spoiler It's low, but the keeper saves at a stretch! Mexico ahead already! Hernandez takes a long run... Spoiler Meekly chipped into the keeper's arms! Terrible penalty. Seferovic takes a casual run... Spoiler The keeper dives the wrong way, and he sidefoots into the opposite corner! 1-1 after two rounds, and Switzerland back in it! Vela pauses before he strikes... Spoiler ...and the keeper guesses the right way! Two saved in a row. Shaqiri steps up... Spoiler Poor penalty, but the keeper doesn't react! 1-2 to Switzerland, and Mexico behind for the first time! Corona watches the keeper as he approaches... Spoiler ...and sends him the wrong way! Mexico back at 2-2. Freuler sidefoots low to the keeper's left... Spoiler ...and it's poorly place, but goes in anyway! 2-3 to the Swiss, and Mexico go out if they miss this next one! Gutierrez makes a nervous, jittery approach... Spoiler ...but sends the keeper the wrong way! 3-3, and he's done his part. Now it's up to Ochoa to make a save, or it's all over for the Central Americans. Xhaka jogs up with confidence... Spoiler ...and powers it past the keeper! 3-4 to Switzerland, and it's all over! The players go...well, not mad, but they certainly seem very happy. The Swiss will play either Senegal or Panama in the Quarter-Finals, which they'd surely be happy with. It'll be their first time in the last eight since 1954. It'll be their first meeting with either team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Spoiler Match 56 - Senegal 0 Panama 0 Senegal very much the side in control, but struggle to make clear-cut chances against a massed Panama defence, and the few opportunities they have are thwarted by the woodwork or an in-form Penedo in goal. The longer the game remains level, the more there's the niggling worry that Panama might get one golden chance that could put them through, but Senegal keep them under control enough that the game slips into extra-time. Spoiler Extra-Time - Senegal 1 Panama 0 Senegal's nightmare must have been for this to go to penalties, so they come out fighting early and manage to stretch Panama's defence enough on the counter for Sadio Mane to be presented with a glorious scoring chance, which he takes with gusto. Panama put caution to the wind and go for it in the final fifteen minutes, during which they hit the bar and endure a variety of other near misses from excellent opportunities, but N'Diaye stays strong enough in the Senegal goal to keep them out. A valiant attempt from Panama, almost enough to improbably put them into the last eight, but it's fellow outsiders Senegal who make their second Quarter-Final in only two attempts. The winner of their tie against Switzerland will make it to the semi-finals for the first time ever, and both teams will fancy their chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 ...and then there were eight, half of whom are South American sides, with two from Africa and only two Europeans, one of whom are shit Switzerland. We only have three previous winners left, so there's a reasonable chance of a new champion, and even the outside chance of an all-African final. Not much change in the Golden Boot; Luis is still running away with it, and most of his challengers are on the plane home. Still, there's always the chance that Moussa Sow will score two hat-tricks against the Swiss. Golden Boot Suarez - Uruguay - 7Griezmann - France - 3Jahanbakhsh - Iran - 2 Sow - Senegal - 2El Said - Egypt - 2Mitrovic - Serbia - 2 Mertens - Belgium - 2 Lewandowski - Poland - 2 Nabbout - Australia - 2 Alli - England - 2 Osako - Japan - 2 Kane - England - 2 Cavani - Uruguay - 2Salah - Egypt - 2 Isco - Spain - 2 Jesus - Brazil - 2Reus - Germany - 2 Neymar - Brazil - 2Hernandez - Mexico - 2 Oh, and we're still waiting for a real dirty bassa to get himself sent off. What's the point of a World Cup without at least one team of cloggers attempting to perform surgery with their footwear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Minertaur Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 My predictions? Peru v Colombia final with Peru winning 12-11 on pens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanius Mullarkey Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 This is far preferable to the proper shite that’s going on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Spoiler Match 57 - Uruguay 2 Nigeria 0 A game that settled into the expected pattern of Uruguay having all the possession and pressure, with Nigeria looking dangerous on the counter attack, and very dangerous they look too, getting themselves into some tasty positions. Unfortunately, their forwards make some baffling decisions all through the game, and almost all their attacks peter out into nothing before a shot is even made. Uruguay take the lead after 25 minutes, with Suarez bursting through the defence to add to his sackful of goals, and it takes until the last fifteen minutes before Edinson Cavani puts the game to bed with a deadly strike to the bottom corner. For all Nigeria's good approach play, Uruguay could have still ended up with four or five themselves, and are well worth the victory against a decent side. Uruguay still to concede here, with five straight wins and a haul of fourteen goals; they're undoubtedly contenders to win this, and might even be favourites to win their semi-final against either Brazil or Colombia. This win means they'll at least finish fourth, which would be the fourth time they'd have done so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Spoiler Match 58 - Brazil 2 Colombia 0 A real stern test for the favourites, and it's Colombia who have the best of the first half, keeping Brazil from having a single attempt on goal while pushing them back into their own half, and getting the occasional chance of their own. The second half is still a very even affair, but Brazil begin to carve out the odd opportunity, although Colombia have the closest attempt of the game on the hour, with Cuadrado striking the post with the keeper beaten. Just as it starts to look as though nothing will be able to seperate the sides, some lightning-fast reactions from Willian sees his toe-poke make it into the Colombian net, and that's all there is between the teams. As Colombia push forward for the equaliser, a defensive error in injury time sees Fernandinho bury a deflected shot past Ospina, but it's academic by that point anyway. Brazil are through, and it's a cruel end for a Colombian side who've demonstrated that the five-time winners can be contained. Uruguay in the semis for Brazil, who've played each other twice before at World Cups, with both matches at this stage, and with the winner lifting the trophy on each occasion. Hard to argue that the new World Champions won't come from this match, as both sides have easily looked the most impressive so far. A mouthwatering challenge awaits for both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Spoiler Match 59 - Switzerland 2 Senegal 0 A frantic, end-to-end opening, and it's Switzerland who open the scoring within twenty minutes with a point-blank header from Zuber, left completely unmarked in the penalty area. Senegal's sloppy play in defence continues, and Drmic scores less than ten minutes later, with the West Africans unable to clear the ball from their box and the Swiss cutting straight through the centre like a hot knife. Switzerland are in control for the rest of the game, with Senegal managing only a single shot on goal from then on, and even that wasn't on target. This is now officially Switzerland's best ever World Cup, and it's remarkable that such a mediocre side have made it so far, winning only two games to reach their first semi-final. Spain or Peru next for them; you'd imagine their chances of making the final hinge hugely on the result of that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Spoiler Match 60 - Spain 1 Peru 1 An end-to-end thriller, with chances for both teams to win, with Peru perhaps a tad unfortunate not to get the result in regulation time. They give as good as they get for the first half-hour, until Asensio fires home a quality strike to put Spain ahead, after which they push hard for an equaliser before the break. It's Peru who dominate after kick-off too, pushing the Spaniards back time and again as they search for a goal, until Renato Tapia finds space to run into on the hour, and slots home a low cross from close range. Afterwards, it's still Peru with the attacking imperative, taking the ball from Spain and pushing up for the winner. Cueva hits the post from a placed drive with ten minutes to go, and Spain look on the ropes. However, they manage to create an excellent chance themselves with five minutes left on the clock, Diego Costa cracking a powerful volley at the goal from close range, which Gallese gets enough on to keep the ball out. Both sides possibly a little relieved to reach full-time on terms, but Spain certainly haven't dominated in the manner they'd have been expected to. Spoiler Extra Time: Spain 1 Peru 1 A chance or two for both sides in extra-time, but nothing too dangerous, and nothing converted. So, a surprisingly close encounter ends with the penalty lottery... Spoiler Isco will start us off for Spain...a slight jitter in his run-up to try and put the keeper off... Spoiler Top corner! A quality penalty to put Spain 1-0 up! Casual approach by Guerrero... Spoiler 1-1! He sent the keeper the wrong way! Diego Costa makes a nervy, jittery approach... Spoiler ...it's close to the keeper...but he lets it by! 2-1 to Spain now! Long run up by Cueva... Spoiler A careful pass into the bottom corner! 2-2! Thiago takes a long run and sprints at the ball... Spoiler 3-2 to Spain! Straight down the middle! Another long run, this time by Advincula... Spoiler Passed to the keeper's right...and he's guessed the right way! Oh, but it's squirmed under his body! 3-3, and a let-off for Peru! Spoiler Iniesta jogs up...a limp chip down the middle! The keeper dives out of the way! Lucky finish from Iniesta, and it's 4-3 to Spain now! Flores makes a long, jinking run-up... Spoiler ...and he's pulled it wide! Spain will win if this next penalty goes in! Tragedy for Flores! Pique looks like he knows where he's putting it... Spoiler Bottom-left, and Spain have won! A 5-3 victory on penalties, and it's a cruel, cruel defeat for the South Americans. Only Spain's third semi-final, but they obviously know their way around a tournament these days. This will be their fourth clash with Switzerland at World Cups, having won two and lost their last encounter, after which Spain went on to lift the trophy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 One massive semi between two titanic South American champions, and one-time winners Spain against...erm...Switzerland. We're guaranteed a South America v Europe final, and Spain will have to be at their best to win that one. Or Switzerland, obviously. They could be there too. Just a matter of how many Luis the maneater can score now; he's level with Fat Ronaldo, Ademir, and Guillermo Stabile as joint 5th highest scorer at a World Cup, but another would take him up level with Eusebio in 4th. Just Fontaine famously managed thirteen goals in 1958, which seems an unlikely target, but... Golden Boot Suarez - Uruguay - 8Griezmann - France - 3 Cavani - Uruguay - 3Jahanbakhsh - Iran - 2 Sow - Senegal - 2 El Said - Egypt - 2 Mitrovic - Serbia - 2 Mertens - Belgium - 2 Lewandowski - Poland - 2 Nabbout - Australia - 2 Alli - England - 2 Osako - Japan - 2 Kane - England - 2 Salah - Egypt - 2 Isco - Spain - 2 Jesus - Brazil - 2Reus - Germany - 2 Neymar - Brazil - 2Hernandez - Mexico - 2 Willian - Brazil - 2 Drmic - Switzerland - 2 I'm done waiting for a red card; it's not happening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 A wee break now until the next real-life games, which has left me wondering... Cast your mind back to the 8th of October...a portentous evening in Ljubljana. Outermost digit lookalike Leigh Griffiths scores to put Scotland ahead in the final World Cup qualifier, a win in which will see Scotland qualify for the play-offs to reach the final tournament. Supposing the score had finished 1-0...what would have happened next? (TBC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Victory against Slovenia would have left us finishing second in UEFA Qualifying Group F, ahead of Slovakia, who didn't qualify for the play-offs due to finishing bottom of the second-place rankings on 12 points (results against Malta being subtracted). We'd have finished on 14 points, leaving us 4th in the second-place rankings, and dropping Eire out of the play-offs. So who would we have played? Well, the play-offs were seeded, with the eight countries ranked by their places in the FIFA World Rankings as of the 16th of October, which were as follows: 11. Switzerland 14. Italy 18. Croatia 19. Denmark 23. Northern Ireland 25. Sweden 26. Eire 47. Greece Scotland were ranked 42nd in the world, leaving us replacing Eire perfectly in the draw, so it's fair to say that we'd have ended up playing their opponents (Denmark). We may have climbed a place or two in the rankings due to the victory against Slovenia, but considering the next highest-ranked side were seventeen places above us, it surely wouldn't have made any difference. So, how does FIFA 18 say we'd have performed against the Danes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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