Lurker > ctesjbuvf

I'm not saying it's not, but it's still a big difference, the match with the most goals in the tournament along with England/Panama and Belgium/Tunesia, both because big teams played some of the worst.

In another universe, Argentina doesn't give the penalty and Mbappe doesn't reach the ball, Argentina's goalkeeper used legs and not arms to save the third etc. Could've gone the other way too.

We agree, but it's still a crazy high amount.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Exact same starting line ups from both teams as in the semis.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

No, I just don't think anybody expected Di Maria to shoot there. He had looked s*** all tournament and it didn't look at something that could be scored from. It was such a good shot out of the blue.

The third goal happened when France was leading 4-2 with minutes to go. They were there, if anything, they were just not going all in to prevent that one.

Argentina is a very strong offensive force that had things working for them that game, but fell due to their extremely exploitable defense.

It was three goals. That's not only due to a change of tactics.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

But none of the three goals happened because of that.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Really glad Belgium gets medals for the first time ever. Very well deserved. It's a shame they met France in semis. They've been such a fantastic team to watch. I didn't care for them before the cup began, but they sure changed that. In an era where we see almost all teams play boring defensive play for most of the match, Belgium sure is inspiring. So many great names in the team and many of them are fairly young so we can probably get to witness more of this in four years, not to mention at UEFA in two years where they'll surely be among the favorites. If we had Golden Ball candidates revealed, I'm sure we'd see solid a Belgian representation.

I could go on praising them. Every year has had a team given me a positive surprise and that was Belgium this time.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

So is Hazard!
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

England has really upped themselves.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Alderweireld so damn good.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Well, Belgium doesn't really care for that reward themselves it seems.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

It's a shame Lukaku hasn't been able to get a propor finish up despite some close calls.

I like Kane and him getting the golden boot is cool and all, but I really wish it wasn't because of three PKs.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Meunier notes himself being back right away, such a shame he didn't play against France. Not as big a difference as Uruguay not having Cavani against them, but still a disadvantage.

Lukaku is so good. Cmon my Belgium, finish this WC looking great!
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Everything I have against Croatia aside. A team getting to the finals without winning any of the three knockout games in regular time should not win.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Well, and so it continues.

Knockout phase sumup:
Team I rooted for lost - 9
I did not favor either team - 3
Team I rooted for won - 2

Quarter-finals and semi-finals:
Team I rooted for lost - 5
I did not favor either team - 1
Team I rooted for won - Z to the E to the R to f***ing O.

And of those two matches that went as I wanted them to, one of them had Cavani getting injuries because nothing's so good it isn't bad for something.

Screw this World Cup.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Cmon England, do what Russia did.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

4 minutes!
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Could've closed the game there.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Whatever it is, it's often a really good match to watch.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

I love third place match.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

I hope France wins big time.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Man how it hurts so badly that we didn't beat Croatia back then.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Are you all still alive
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Rebic avoids the red once more by being subbed out.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

ExThaNemesis posted...

Just have to say fair play to an absolutely brilliant defensive header.

Also this.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Pokewars posted...

Someone needs to tell Sterling to try to kick

Well, shouldn't be top priority right now.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Rebic has been like that every single game, it's ridiculous how much he's gotten away with this tournament.

Got a yellow against Argentina, which was a clear red. That was it until now.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Good. That yellow card only came 4 matches too late.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Literally every game on the right side of bracket that didn't involve Sweden has gone to ET.

Soon we'll learn of ET can be replaced by PKs in that sentence because all the others did that.

Let's appreciate Sweden a bit lol.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Good thing Croatia can make some offensive mistakes.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Every attack looks dangerous.

And England looks pathetic in return.

They really need extra time to come, they're not gonna close the game like this.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

This defense looks so shaky, it's terrifying.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

oh s*** that was close
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Everything about Croatia aside, that was a good goal.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

jcgamer107 posted...

ouch. Ok Kyle Walker is probably in legitimate pain lol.

Loved that he got up, headed the ball away, and continued all while that pain was real.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Kane is having a pretty rough time, they're really going at him.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

ShatteredElysium posted...

Rebic must have made like 5 fouls by now without being carded

He should've been carded many times this tournament where he wasn't tbh.

Lovren probably also should've been carded by now.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

jcgamer107 posted...

I love PKs as a neutral spectator. When you're watching a team you're emotionally invested in, though, it's agony.

Yeah, I feel the same.

I just haven't been neutral at any of them.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland made it to the qualification play offs though, losing to Switzerland and Denmark respectively. It's not that bad.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

So looking at the knockout phase after two rounds...

Results that went as I wanted them to:

Uruguay beating Portugal
Sweden beating Switzerland

And results I didn't want:

Argentina losing to France
Spain losing to Russia
Denmark losing to Croatia
Colombia losing to England
Uruguay losing to France
Sweden losing to England
Russia losing to Croatia

The rest I didn't really have an opinion.

So yeah, screw this cup. Especially all the penalty kick shootouts.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

The matches where I've rooted for the winning team continues to be extremely few.

Subasic leaves the line every goddamn tkick. And I know most keepers do that, but he does it a lot more. After two shootouts of that, I absolutely root for England in a match I otherwise wouldn't have cared about the winner in. Sorry if that means you're losing, England.

DeathChicken posted...

Annnnnnnd penalties with one team's goalie half dead

It was very clear during all of extra time that only his kicking abilities were that. Subasic was in fine shape for PKs.

Hardcore_Adult posted...

Rebound! Nice one, Luka!

While I consider him the best player of the match pretty easily, but that shot was luck more than skill.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

I'm rooting for Russia, screw everyone
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

He doesn't look to be in too bad shape, but I suppose that's hard to tell.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Okay, I did not expect Cheryshev to be subbed out.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Those two are different though. Lukaku was highly responsible for DeBruynes goal.

Cheryshev did so much work there there himself leading up to it and finishes so brilliantly that Subasic doesn't even move.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

I know everyone was like "Croatia got this for sure", but everyone thought the same about Spain. Russia can just as well win this.

Croatia's excellent results on paper really overhyped them. They're pretty good and they might very well win this, but they should've never been clear favorites, and it's even so far too. Even in their most convincing victory they weren't even the best team until the opposition's goalkeeper.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

For the record I don't think it's something they purposely turned on. There wasn't any "hey, time to show what we can do" moment or anything. They just began havign better luck doing what they wanted to.

I don't even think we really disagree that much and I didn't mean to call you arrogant. Saying England comprehensively outplayed Colombia and acting like England was in control of things the whole regular time is.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

I mean it sounds like what you're saying is that after playing a way that didn't let Colombia get a chance to score a goal for most of the regular, England changed to a more defensive playstyle that allowed Colombia to get chances including one that eventually lead to a goal, which seems... contradicting, unless Colombia themselves started making things work. I think I'm mostly just trying to say that Colombia didn't just start getting chances because England allowed them too, that's arrogant.

I'm not disagreeing England played better for most of that match, I'm saying Colombia's level has a higher bar, which they struggled to find in that game, though they did also have some key players suspended. England played better, but they didn't comprehensively outplay Colombia, then they have won in regular time. Yes, the ref sucked big time, but even so, England would've gotten more than a PK goal if they were comprehensively outplaying for 75 minutes.

KommunistKoala posted...

problem is Cavani got hurt in the last game, and might not be 100% or even start, which gives France a huge advantage

I had actually forgotten about this. I really do hope he can play well for the sake of the match.

France has Matuidi suspended, which isn't as bad relatively speaking, but a slight disadvantage too.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

I think I slightly favor Uruguay in that match, but neither result would surprise me. It's quite annoying the two meet already.

I really like Brazil aside from Neymar, but can't stand him, so I don't really know who I'm rooting for there. I suppose Belgium actually getting far for once would be alright. Brazil are probably favorites, but Belgium sure showed they don't give up under pressure.

Croatia are favorites for sure, but I'm all on the Russia clutch victory train. The gap between them are not as big as most people seem to think. Denmark played their best match by far when they played them and they were the better team in that match overall. That's not because Croatia wasn't playing as well as usual, because they were. Croatia simply looked amazing on paper, but in reality, they weren't a title threat. The Nigeria game wasn't too convincing, the Argentina game is what overhyped them, but Argentina were the better team there (and they weren't too good) until the goalkeeper gave Croatia a goal. From there Argentina threw it all away. The second goal looked good, but most keeper would've saved it. The third was a free gift from a furious Argentina. The Iceland game was not at all convincing either.

England are probably favorites in that match yeah, but I don't think they've looked that convincing at any point, it's pretty much just bracket placement that has made them a topic of interest when discussing potential winners. Colombia played dirty the first 75 minutes yesterday, but as soon as they stopped doing that, Colombia were clearly the better team. If Colombia had their act and play together from the beginning, England likely doesn't even get to PKs. But I don't know, Sweden is the most unpredictable team left by far. Against South Korea they looked like a team that got a lucky goal and just really wanted to hold on to the only victory they might get. At their best they look like a team that can beat England. We'll see how it goes.

On a side note: Kane is a clear favorite for golden boot and I don't mind him getting it except it's really boring when half your goals are PKs. I mean, not really something you can do anything about, it's just... meh.
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Zylothewolf posted...

So are the rest of you guys even going to bother to watch Sweden VS Switzerland? I think ot will be a really boring match to watch if you don't root for any of the teams.

Really gonna root for Sweden!
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

That comeback is incredible. Belgium's defense is shaky, but man are they dangerous. What a match!
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.

Japan has had 3 shots on goal, lol
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Guinness Book of World Records is the name of the diary that belongs to BKSheikah, the winner of the Best Year in Gaming contest.