The sixteen chair challege has begun. And four of them are already taken. A chastened Russia team sits alongside a chastened Spain, a chastened Portugal and increasingly menacing Uruguay.
Not winning matches seems to be very much in Vogue, with good teams either out of form or expertly pacing themselves, depending upon who you believe. And second seems to be the new first, as all of the expert/out-of-form teams all allegedly want to come second in their groups to avoid the 'tricky side of the draw'.
Russia, surely aided by Putin's presence in the VAR studio for Iran's battle with Portugal almost stole a last 16 clash with Iran. What a game that was, though I was ready to call conspiracy if Iran had somehow won, topped the group, and then gifted Russia a bye to the quarters. Amongst the swinging of fists, managerial strops, playacting and refereeing meltdown, the group finally settled into an as you were state and Russia instead face a brutal clash with Spain on so said easy side of the draw.
Today we look forward to Messi in tears (either way) after the game with Nigeria, France and Denmark facing off, which could be a super tense game. Australia this afternoon and then Iceland tonight both are in with a shout, potentially able to sneak into one of those sixteen seats if results go their way. I think they'll both be beaten, leaving it as a straight race for second for everyone else.
Not winning matches seems to be very much in Vogue, with good teams either out of form or expertly pacing themselves, depending upon who you believe. And second seems to be the new first, as all of the expert/out-of-form teams all allegedly want to come second in their groups to avoid the 'tricky side of the draw'.
Russia, surely aided by Putin's presence in the VAR studio for Iran's battle with Portugal almost stole a last 16 clash with Iran. What a game that was, though I was ready to call conspiracy if Iran had somehow won, topped the group, and then gifted Russia a bye to the quarters. Amongst the swinging of fists, managerial strops, playacting and refereeing meltdown, the group finally settled into an as you were state and Russia instead face a brutal clash with Spain on so said easy side of the draw.
Today we look forward to Messi in tears (either way) after the game with Nigeria, France and Denmark facing off, which could be a super tense game. Australia this afternoon and then Iceland tonight both are in with a shout, potentially able to sneak into one of those sixteen seats if results go their way. I think they'll both be beaten, leaving it as a straight race for second for everyone else.
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