Shades of Brazil in 2014 about that performance. The steady decline in South American football is becoming more noticeable. Peru out, Argentina and Colombia struggling, and Brazil stuttering. Uruguay playing more like Stoke City every time I watch them. Is it because all their players leave for Europe at the first opportunity ? At one time they became established players first and then left. Now they leave at 19 or 20, after only a season of domestic football like our own Richarlison, or David Neres at Ajax. Getting a team together, and building a team spirit amongst so many journeymen from another continent must be a nightmare. In comparison European managers have it easy - from the German starting 11 at the last final, 8 had never played regularly outside of Germany - the same was even more true of the Spanish team in 2010.I've played in better pub teams judging by that performance. Shocking.
Well it took 190 minutes but Brazil 'Welcome to the world cup'. Hope we get a chance to play them![]()
They are rank rotten and have been for years. I refuse to watch them as I cannot abide all the fawning over them, the gushing as you say "Welcome To The World Cup", "The World Cup Has Started", "It's Samba Time Folks", "You Know The World Cup has started When The Yellow, Blue And White Appears".
Marvel as Neymar falls over his own feet and writhes on the ground in agony. Please refs protect this man, he'll do himself an injury with all that rolling around!! God how I loved 4 years ago when Germany wiped the floor with them. The only annoyance was that Germany took their foot off the pedal after the seventh went in, I was praying for at least 14 and it should have been!!
Thing is they haven't really played that kind of "samba" football since about 1986! Would be funny if Serbia lost to Switzerland and then went and beat Brazil.
I'm not sure if Croatia will rest players. Because goal difference has precedence over the head to head result against Nigeria (if they finish equal on points) they haven't won the group yet, and may want to avoid France in the next round.Argentina vs Nigeria all of a sudden will be a hot hot game. And Iceland can still get 3 points against a Croatian side (giving them 4 in all) who may not be willing to risk injuries and who may rest a few. And the games are in parallel. Bring it on![]()