GoN_

Don't want to be that guy, but is this project dead?

The rumour is Modric, Mbappé and... Varane. 

So Barcelona just crushed Real with a 5-1 win at Camp Nou. And if there were any doubts, Lopetegui is pretty much finished.

It sure seems like it was worth it to ruin Spain's World Cup for this.

I think Croatia might be trying to emulate Portugal's run in Euro 2016 and draw their way up to the World Cup.

England could and should have been able to kill their hopes before the 1-1. They seemed to have this pretty much in the bag and then they concede a goal from nowhere and completely lose control of the match.

After those last 5 minutes by France, I sure hope whoever wins the second semi final takes this.

I think I'll be happy with any possible outcome for this World Cup, now. I would clearly prefer either Croatia or Belgium to take it, but I think the only team that would leave a poor taste in my mouth if they won would be Russia.

If instead of it being a fair play advantage, if it was a goal advantage that had Japan go through, would you think any different of what happened? While I did not like to see that, they did play according to the rules, and they played a "calculated risk". They did nothing in their match, but if by any chance there was a Senegal equalizer they would be gone in pretty ridiculous fashion.

Against who? We have never played against Japan in any world cup (we have played against both Koreas and Iran, but never against Japan). Hell, I have no recollection of we ever playing against Japan at all.

This Korea team looked pretty bad in their first two matches but they looked like a million bucks in this match. I just don't get how unbalanced this german team looks all around in this world cup. I had them as the clear cut favorites just like four years ago, but I've seen nothing from them in any of the three matches that makes me think they can win this.

It is quite shocking seeing this German team play and comparing it to the team from four years ago. The team itself hasn't changed that much to justify such a drastic decline in their game.

33 minutes ago, Chris2K said:

Case in point right there.

Oh, and again.

@GoN_ just out of interest, what's the national opinion of the Portuguese players like Pepe and Quaresma being such complete dicks?

I think pretty much the same as the rest of the world, really... They are dickheads, but Pepe is by far our best center-back (even if most of the time we are horrified by the sight of him possibly losing his head and getting sent off). As for Quaresma, people just think of him as an idiot with a butt-load of talent. Now if you ask a Porto fan, chances are he will simply tell you that they are awesome. 

4 minutes ago, Liam Mk2 said:

How has the referee given a penalty there?! 

He has lost total control of this game. Totally.

I think the missed penalty was a good call, but he lost control of the game there. From that moment on, Iran only tried to get a penalty or a red. I think Ronaldo could have been sent off, even though I don't think he wanted to really elbow the other guy. I think there should have been a penalty on a William charge over one of Iran's players and I totally don't think that last penalty should have been called.

Can't say I pity Iran after that second half. They tried their best to play the ref. 

Oh here's something a Portuguese "meme maker" did after the shit Pepe pulled with Morocco:

I can never stop thinking how good Quaresma could have been if he had Cristiano's drive. That man is pure talent.

Probably a tactical change for Portugal, I think this means we play more of a 4-4-2 today.

It's the FIFA World cup anyway. 

But the rest of the Brazil team kinda does.

I would say that unless Neymar takes Brazil to their 6th world cup with massive performances, or what now seems like a miracle for Argentina, Ronaldo is surely taking his sixth ballon d'or home, no?

11 minutes ago, Arjen Robben said:

Really don't like this Portugal team, and I think about 50% of it is down to Pepe. Hope Iran somehow beat them and Queiroz goes full Sgt. Slaughter against Portugal.

I would say after today's match is not hard to not like it. We had what? 2 shots at goal?

2 minutes ago, Chris2K said:

Portugal have now won more games within the standard 90 minutes in this World Cup than they did when they won Euro 2016.

 

(3 draws, 2 extra time wins, 1 win on penalties and within 90 minutes)

Same number of games. 1 win today and 1 win on Euro 2016 (Wales).

8 minutes ago, Naitch said:

I hope they start booking petulant claims which are very clearly disproven by the VAR. Things like the Japan keeper claiming that the ball hadn't crossed the line yesterday and Ronaldo's dive after that free kick are just so pointless and unnecessary.

On the portuguese league any request for the VAR, by players or coaches is an instant yellow card, regardless if you are right or wrong on the claim.

We are playing pretty badly. Our back 4 is just dreadful.