sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Nice first elimination match between Canada and South Africa. South Africa looked like a disaster against Mexico, but against Canada they showed some quality, just not quite enough.

Canada had some new players I had not seen before. They have lots and lots of speed, very modern. The ease with which South Africa beat them with line breaking passes is an indictment of their coaching. American coach Jesse Marsch is nuts. He thought he would get the USMNT job over Berhalter and had a public meltdown when he did not get it. Going to Canada is very Jesse Marsch and good for the rivalry. I see them going out next match either to the Netherlands or Morocco, which will be a good game.

Very excited to see the rest of the tournament.

---

It's cool that Canada finally decided to take soccer seriously and put an actual competitive team on the field. Makes CONCACAF more interesting. That said, the current team seems to have decent front-line talent but little depth or cohesion as compared to the top teams.

---

Did they start taking soccer seriously, which they kind of don't, or did they have an influx of the type of immigrants needed in the modern game? Like France? Which, I repeat, I am all in favor of. I believe immigration to stable countries is almost all positive.

Interestingly, the same immigrant populations have made Canada and France in the top 3 in basketball along with the United States.

Cal88 said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Cal88 said:

---

concordtom said:

---

UPDATED RANKING NUMBERS OFF FIFA COCA-COLA WEBSITE:

Great now that I have your exact 32 teams and your official FIFA rankings, here is the fully rebuilt bracket using your rankings only, organized into the same four quadrants you confirmed earlier.

This is now 100% aligned with the rankings you pasted.

---

QUADRANT 1 TopLeft
Team FIFA Rank
Germany 12
Paraguay 37
France 2
Sweden 36
South Africa 54
Canada 32
Netherlands 7
Morocco 6
Mean: 23.25
Median: 24.5

---

QUADRANT 2 BottomLeft
Team FIFA Rank
Portugal 8
Croatia 13
Spain 3
Austria 22
USA 15
Bosnia & Herzegovina 61
Belgium 10
Senegal 18
Mean: 18.75
Median: 16.5

---

QUADRANT 3 TopRight
Team FIFA Rank
Brazil 5
Japan 17
Cte d'Ivoire 30
Norway 23
Mexico 9
Ecuador 24
England 4
DR Congo 41
Mean: 19.125
Median: 20.0

---

QUADRANT 4 BottomRight
Team FIFA Rank
Argentina 1
Cape Verde 64
Australia 28
Egypt 26
Switzerland 16
Algeria 29
Colombia 11
Ghana 65
Mean: 30.0
Median: 27.5

---

Zero top 10 opponents in Argentina's bracket.

---

Switzerland ranked 16th is absurd. They have been good for awhile and clobbered us in friendly. Their players are all at top clubs, although I know this squad less than I have known previous ones. Colombia is strong and I think anyone should fear them. The rest of the teams are probably not so good.

---

No, if anything Switzerland is slightly overrated at 16. Which top 15 is the Swiss team better than?

The Swiss have had their golden generation last decade with their Albanian star Shaqiri, world class goalie Sommer, and Xhaka today is past his prime at 33 for a midfielder. They're still good and haven't really dropped off that much, but still a bit down from their previous teams and are not underrated at #16. I would also put them in the 16 to 20 range among the remaining 32 teams.

I doubt the Argies are looking at their bracket and thinking that the Swiss are going to bother them.

---

USA and Croatia among the teams I see listed. Xhaka is still in his prime despite Arsenal choosing Declan Rice. They are strong and play well together. Just watch.

Cal88 said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Nice first elimination match between Canada and South Africa. South Africa looked like a disaster against Mexico, but against Canada they showed some quality, just not quite enough.

Canada had some new players I had not seen before. They have lots and lots of speed, very modern. The ease with which South Africa beat them with line breaking passes is an indictment of their coaching. American coach Jesse Marsch is nuts. He thought he would get the USMNT job over Berhalter and had a public meltdown when he did not get it. Going to Canada is very Jesse Marsch and good for the rivalry. I see them going out next match either to the Netherlands or Morocco, which will be a good game.

Very excited to see the rest of the tournament.

---

Agree about Marsch, rah-rah coaching and motivation is OK as long as there is a sound tactical structure in place, which is not a sure thing on this Canada squad. As well this high-intensity pressing strategy will not work in hot weather, which the Canadian team has yet to encounter having played in Toronto, Vancouver and LA.

The game turned when Davies came in, immediately lifted their team's morale and intensity. If they can have him for a full game next round, they're not going to be a pushover.

---

I think Canada has the talent to compete against their next opponent but not the coaching. Should be a good game anyway, Marsch plays what my favorite podcaster calls "murderball." Which might be called going for it no matter the consequences.

Big C said:

---

Every day I have at least one Dumb Semi-Beginners Soccer Question. Usually, I don't post them, as I try to hide my ignorance.

Today, what the heck!

China and India each have over a billion people. Do they play soccer over there, or what? (no AI, please)

---

The Chinese would LOVE to host a world cup, they would be a shoo-in as the world's biggest real economy today and the largest market. The thing is, they would get embarrassed on the field, that is the reason they haven't hosted yet, and aren't planning. The worst aspect about this is that they would get beat not just by their archrival Japan, but also by local small neighbor South Korea. Xi Jinping is a huge soccer fan but he's not going to host a WC for this reason.

In theory if Japan and SK can put together competitive teams, so can China, but weirdly enough this is a country that can climb the tech and manufacturing ladder in every industry but they don't know how to put together a national soccer program.

They could though, by building a competitive elementary and middle school program as a feeder to local youth club system, along with shoring up their domestic pro league and sending many of their top players to play in Europe. They have the same cultural inclinations as Japan and could develop a program where they could become to top Asian power in a decade or two.

They can however do well earlier in women's soccer and be a consistent top 3 team, as women's soccer is a lot less competitive than men's, the gender gap in soccer is enormous, unlike in say tennis where the women compete at a very high technical level.

India is a whole different world. It is basically a dysfunctional nation, the worst of both worlds, worst aspects of a democracy with an inefficient and corrupt third world political system, run by a local elite that hates their people, it is the most socially stratified culture in the world.

India for example could easily clean their cities and slums with open sewers by investing into their infrastructure, but their elite doesn't care, and their government inefficient and corrupt. You're going to see most of Africa develop faster and better than India in the next couple of decades. You're not going to see India qualify to a World Cup anytime soon, Asian teams that are getting crushed like Jordan, Uzbekistan or Qatar are leaps and bounds better than India at soccer.

sluggo said:

---

Cal88 said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Nice first elimination match between Canada and South Africa. South Africa looked like a disaster against Mexico, but against Canada they showed some quality, just not quite enough.

Canada had some new players I had not seen before. They have lots and lots of speed, very modern. The ease with which South Africa beat them with line breaking passes is an indictment of their coaching. American coach Jesse Marsch is nuts. He thought he would get the USMNT job over Berhalter and had a public meltdown when he did not get it. Going to Canada is very Jesse Marsch and good for the rivalry. I see them going out next match either to the Netherlands or Morocco, which will be a good game.

Very excited to see the rest of the tournament.

---

Agree about Marsch, rah-rah coaching and motivation is OK as long as there is a sound tactical structure in place, which is not a sure thing on this Canada squad. As well this high-intensity pressing strategy will not work in hot weather, which the Canadian team has yet to encounter having played in Toronto, Vancouver and LA.

The game turned when Davies came in, immediately lifted their team's morale and intensity. If they can have him for a full game next round, they're not going to be a pushover.

---

I think Canada has the talent to compete against their next opponent but not the coaching. Should be a good game anyway, Marsch plays what my favorite podcaster calls "murderball." Which might be called going for it no matter the consequences.

---

Agreed. It would be a big upset if they get by Morocco/Holland.

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Nice first elimination match between Canada and South Africa. South Africa looked like a disaster against Mexico, but against Canada they showed some quality, just not quite enough.

Canada had some new players I had not seen before. They have lots and lots of speed, very modern. The ease with which South Africa beat them with line breaking passes is an indictment of their coaching. American coach Jesse Marsch is nuts. He thought he would get the USMNT job over Berhalter and had a public meltdown when he did not get it. Going to Canada is very Jesse Marsch and good for the rivalry. I see them going out next match either to the Netherlands or Morocco, which will be a good game.

Very excited to see the rest of the tournament.

---

It's cool that Canada finally decided to take soccer seriously and put an actual competitive team on the field. Makes CONCACAF more interesting. That said, the current team seems to have decent front-line talent but little depth or cohesion as compared to the top teams.

---

Did they start taking soccer seriously, which they kind of don't, or did they have an influx of the type of immigrants needed in the modern game? Like France? Which, I repeat, I am all in favor of. I believe immigration to stable countries is almost all positive.

Interestingly, the same immigrant populations have made Canada and France in the top 3 in basketball along with the United States.

---

I mean, it seems like they as a country and/or national association actually started developing talent. I dunno, is it just a stroke of luck that they have gotten good in time to host the World Cup?

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Nice first elimination match between Canada and South Africa. South Africa looked like a disaster against Mexico, but against Canada they showed some quality, just not quite enough.

Canada had some new players I had not seen before. They have lots and lots of speed, very modern. The ease with which South Africa beat them with line breaking passes is an indictment of their coaching. American coach Jesse Marsch is nuts. He thought he would get the USMNT job over Berhalter and had a public meltdown when he did not get it. Going to Canada is very Jesse Marsch and good for the rivalry. I see them going out next match either to the Netherlands or Morocco, which will be a good game.

Very excited to see the rest of the tournament.

---

It's cool that Canada finally decided to take soccer seriously and put an actual competitive team on the field. Makes CONCACAF more interesting. That said, the current team seems to have decent front-line talent but little depth or cohesion as compared to the top teams.

---

Did they start taking soccer seriously, which they kind of don't, or did they have an influx of the type of immigrants needed in the modern game? Like France? Which, I repeat, I am all in favor of. I believe immigration to stable countries is almost all positive.

Interestingly, the same immigrant populations have made Canada and France in the top 3 in basketball along with the United States.

---

The soccer culture in Canada is still a bit marginal, basketball is further ahead, because of the urban culture and winter/indoors nature, as well as the recent success of the Raptors. Soccer culture there is mostly centered in Toronto and Montreal. It is however fairly limited owing to the fact that the largest immigrant communities in Canada are Asian (Indian subcontinent, China, Philippines). Their African and Latin American immigration is more recent and smaller than the former.

One telling point about the limits of Canadian soccer culture is that Canada has a large Haitian minority, more than twice as large as the French Haitian diaspora, but almost all the Haitians now playing for Haiti are from the much smaller France Haitian diaspora.

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Nice first elimination match between Canada and South Africa. South Africa looked like a disaster against Mexico, but against Canada they showed some quality, just not quite enough.

Canada had some new players I had not seen before. They have lots and lots of speed, very modern. The ease with which South Africa beat them with line breaking passes is an indictment of their coaching. American coach Jesse Marsch is nuts. He thought he would get the USMNT job over Berhalter and had a public meltdown when he did not get it. Going to Canada is very Jesse Marsch and good for the rivalry. I see them going out next match either to the Netherlands or Morocco, which will be a good game.

Very excited to see the rest of the tournament.

---

It's cool that Canada finally decided to take soccer seriously and put an actual competitive team on the field. Makes CONCACAF more interesting. That said, the current team seems to have decent front-line talent but little depth or cohesion as compared to the top teams.

---

Did they start taking soccer seriously, which they kind of don't, or did they have an influx of the type of immigrants needed in the modern game? Like France? Which, I repeat, I am all in favor of. I believe immigration to stable countries is almost all positive.

Interestingly, the same immigrant populations have made Canada and France in the top 3 in basketball along with the United States.

---

I mean, it seems like they as a country and/or national association actually started developing talent. I dunno, is it just a stroke of luck that they have gotten good in time to host the World Cup?

---

If you don't like my purely racial explanation, which I think explains a lot, I have more. First, Canada punches hugely above their weight as a sporting nation, sort of like Australia. But their best athletes did not play soccer. Then Juergen Klinnsman (I think) retooled the US soccer development system in the 2010s. This included the Canadian cities that have MLS teams that I think still includes Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. The great Alphoso Davies was bought by Bayern Munich from the Vancouver Whitecaps when he was 16, and many of their other top players have MLS development histories and some even still play in MLS. The timing proved fortunate for a World Cup in 2026 for Canada (and the United States).

A year or two ago Canadian soccer was begging for money to hold camps and stuff, and Marsch was a low budget hire. I think they have succeeded in spite of themselves.

They are quite good at hockey.

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Big C said:

---

Every day I have at least one Dumb Semi-Beginners Soccer Question. Usually, I don't post them, as I try to hide my ignorance.

Today, what the heck!

China and India each have over a billion people. Do they play soccer over there, or what? (no AI, please)

---

China seems to have a policy of steering athletes towards more niche sports that they can dominate at the Olympics, hence ping-pong and whatnot. Sports that require a large team and where other countries are already super competitive are not good bang for your buck.

India only seems to take one sport seriously, and that's cricket. I dunno what's going on there. They should be better at athletics.

---

It is a very interesting question. China is much better than India, I remember seeing them play at a World Cup some years ago. One thing I have read is the sport is very corrupt at the top level in China, thus discouraging participation. Soccer is a game of both talent and culture, and I don't understand the cultural reasons they are failing. We were failing culturally until we were not failing as much, although I still think culturally we cannot break into the top 5 for a long time.

I agree that India is more interested in cricket. I wonder about their field situation as well. It is cool to learn on dirt but that is not how the game is played at higher levels. I once saw a documentary that took place in India that included a female player who was discouraged by her family but had the will to get somewhere in the game.

---

Bottom line, I suppose both China and India would develop better soccer teams if it were something that they really valued.

Big C said:

---

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Big C said:

---

Every day I have at least one Dumb Semi-Beginners Soccer Question. Usually, I don't post them, as I try to hide my ignorance.

Today, what the heck!

China and India each have over a billion people. Do they play soccer over there, or what? (no AI, please)

---

China seems to have a policy of steering athletes towards more niche sports that they can dominate at the Olympics, hence ping-pong and whatnot. Sports that require a large team and where other countries are already super competitive are not good bang for your buck.

India only seems to take one sport seriously, and that's cricket. I dunno what's going on there. They should be better at athletics.

---

It is a very interesting question. China is much better than India, I remember seeing them play at a World Cup some years ago. One thing I have read is the sport is very corrupt at the top level in China, thus discouraging participation. Soccer is a game of both talent and culture, and I don't understand the cultural reasons they are failing. We were failing culturally until we were not failing as much, although I still think culturally we cannot break into the top 5 for a long time.

I agree that India is more interested in cricket. I wonder about their field situation as well. It is cool to learn on dirt but that is not how the game is played at higher levels. I once saw a documentary that took place in India that included a female player who was discouraged by her family but had the will to get somewhere in the game.

---

Bottom line, I suppose both China and India would develop better soccer teams if it were something that they really valued.

---

My bottom line is that soccer requires a culture that is difficult to build. We are still not quite there. If China cared more they would buy 200 coaches from a good soccer culture country like Germany and just copy that country. I think it would work. India is too dysfunctional to buy the culture.

I googled that China is 16th in women's soccer. Agreeing with Cal88, women's soccer is not very technical or tactical. It is mostly about athletic ability, so China can compete purely on demographics. Like the US, who win tournaments playing borderline unwatchable soccer but have the best athletes in the women's game.

sluggo said:

---

About half the good young players play with the Philadelphia Union.

---

I set up the owners internet when he had his place on park Ave west overlooking the park. My fine work helped me advance in that co. Super smart guy, really dedicated to the development of these feeder programs that he talks about a lot. Sick brag I know

McKennie is a beast. Most Americans think Pulisic is the best player but they don't know. I will be in my McKennie jersey watching on tv on Wednesday.

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is done, so we've had a whirl at picking a best XI for the tournament so far.

Which players stood out for you? pic.twitter.com/slFiXyT3fW

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 28, 2026

^Olise should be in there.

Meanwhile, this is funny:

pic.twitter.com/FBPSWfovIx

— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) June 29, 2026

oski003 said:

---

Big C said:

---

Every day I have at least one Dumb Semi-Beginners Soccer Question. Usually, I don't post them, as I try to hide my ignorance.

Today, what the heck!

China and India each have over a billion people. Do they play soccer over there, or what? (no AI, please)

---

Crickets?

---

In India yes, but not in China.

Why don't you tell us about your trip to Europe. And I thought we'd get something more, local reporting, from the Seattle game.

Are you back states side now? And where is that?

What a difference it was,

A)
watching England pass the ball around forever, never really looking threatening because they hardly ever shoot. They seem to want to construct perfectly schemed goals

B)
Canada vs South Africa
Tons of back and forth, turnovers galore. Long ball attempts at fast breaks, or just throw it in the box and see what happens.
Disorganized.

Contrasting styles.
England is going to choke itself out of this tournament. Canada is going to get caught out. South Africa did.

By the way, I call a PK:



You can't go through the backside of someone to get the ball. The slow motion showed the SA guy (barely) touched the ball first, but he also (barely) touched Laryea before that, and afterwards totally bundled through. Foul!

The refs in this tournament are allowing in general to much jersey pulling, arms grabbing, and full on physical play. It takes away from the athletic artistry.

How did the pistons beat Jordan? They put him on the floor. That led to ny Knicks physicality of the 90's. The league decided they liked more scoring and clamped down.

Well, I'd prefer giving talent more space to run free. Call the game tighter, more cards, and this would also cause winning teams to utilize depth more since accumulation suspensions would increase.

But I digress…

Went to World Cup game in Kansas between the Orange and Tunisia with Addison . We had more fun than we should have allowed to have. Seats were great and pre and during game atmosphere was incredible. Let's see how the Dutch do tomorrow against Morocco. This game will be intense as there are players on Morocco who could have also played for the Dutch…

sluggo said:

---

Big C said:

---

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Big C said:

---

Every day I have at least one Dumb Semi-Beginners Soccer Question. Usually, I don't post them, as I try to hide my ignorance.

Today, what the heck!

China and India each have over a billion people. Do they play soccer over there, or what? (no AI, please)

---

China seems to have a policy of steering athletes towards more niche sports that they can dominate at the Olympics, hence ping-pong and whatnot. Sports that require a large team and where other countries are already super competitive are not good bang for your buck.

India only seems to take one sport seriously, and that's cricket. I dunno what's going on there. They should be better at athletics.

---

It is a very interesting question. China is much better than India, I remember seeing them play at a World Cup some years ago. One thing I have read is the sport is very corrupt at the top level in China, thus discouraging participation. Soccer is a game of both talent and culture, and I don't understand the cultural reasons they are failing. We were failing culturally until we were not failing as much, although I still think culturally we cannot break into the top 5 for a long time.

I agree that India is more interested in cricket. I wonder about their field situation as well. It is cool to learn on dirt but that is not how the game is played at higher levels. I once saw a documentary that took place in India that included a female player who was discouraged by her family but had the will to get somewhere in the game.

---

Bottom line, I suppose both China and India would develop better soccer teams if it were something that they really valued.

---

My bottom line is that soccer requires a culture that is difficult to build. We are still not quite there. If China cared more they would buy 200 coaches from a good soccer culture country like Germany and just copy that country. I think it would work. India is too dysfunctional to buy the culture.

---

I think it requires a culture to win at the highest level but China competes out of Asia and it wouldn't take much for them to develop talent and at least become like a Top 30 soccer team and regularly qualify for the World Cup. They could at least be as good as Australia. Kinda seems like they don't care about doing it.

As a symbol of friendship and appreciation, Ambassador Sabri Boukadoum presented Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas with an Algerian National Team jersey 🇩🇿🤝🇺🇸

This special gesture reflects the strong ties between Algeria and Kansas City and expresses our sincere gratitude for the… pic.twitter.com/Mjc9wze9BE

— Algerian Embassy in the USA (@Ambalgindc) June 28, 2026

Algeria and Kansas is one of the better stories

Banzai!

concordtom said:

---

Why don't you tell us about your trip to Europe. And I thought we'd get something more, local reporting, from the Seattle game.

Are you back states side now? And where is that?

---

Maybe I will talk about my trip to Europe at some point in relation to the World Cup. I don't know what else to say about Seattle. It feels like the ancient past. I will be back in the States sometime after BH and before the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I live on the Peninsula.

Cal88 said:

---

Banzai!

---

Japan is everything that is right about the World Cup and Brazil is everything that is wrong. Which makes me sad, I grew up watching Brazil in the 80s and 90s and they did not always win but they always played with style and were fun to watch.

I always pick Japan as my dark horse team because of their cohesiveness and selflessness. But they get in trouble because they don't have a top, top player and they are too short. Maybe this time will be different.

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Big C said:

---

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Big C said:

---

Every day I have at least one Dumb Semi-Beginners Soccer Question. Usually, I don't post them, as I try to hide my ignorance.

Today, what the heck!

China and India each have over a billion people. Do they play soccer over there, or what? (no AI, please)

---

China seems to have a policy of steering athletes towards more niche sports that they can dominate at the Olympics, hence ping-pong and whatnot. Sports that require a large team and where other countries are already super competitive are not good bang for your buck.

India only seems to take one sport seriously, and that's cricket. I dunno what's going on there. They should be better at athletics.

---

It is a very interesting question. China is much better than India, I remember seeing them play at a World Cup some years ago. One thing I have read is the sport is very corrupt at the top level in China, thus discouraging participation. Soccer is a game of both talent and culture, and I don't understand the cultural reasons they are failing. We were failing culturally until we were not failing as much, although I still think culturally we cannot break into the top 5 for a long time.

I agree that India is more interested in cricket. I wonder about their field situation as well. It is cool to learn on dirt but that is not how the game is played at higher levels. I once saw a documentary that took place in India that included a female player who was discouraged by her family but had the will to get somewhere in the game.

---

Bottom line, I suppose both China and India would develop better soccer teams if it were something that they really valued.

---

My bottom line is that soccer requires a culture that is difficult to build. We are still not quite there. If China cared more they would buy 200 coaches from a good soccer culture country like Germany and just copy that country. I think it would work. India is too dysfunctional to buy the culture.

---

I think it requires a culture to win at the highest level but China competes out of Asia and it wouldn't take much for them to develop talent and at least become like a Top 30 soccer team and regularly qualify for the World Cup. They could at least be as good as Australia. Kinda seems like they don't care about doing it.

---

Before the expansion qualifying out of Asia was tough.

Goobear said:

---

Went to World Cup game in Kansas between the Orange and Tunisia with Addison . We had more fun than we should have allowed to have. Seats were great and pre and during game atmosphere was incredible. Let's see how the Dutch do tomorrow against Morocco. This game will be intense as there are players on Morocco who could have also played for the Dutch…

---

It should be incredible. Two very good and evenly matched teams that play attractive soccer. I will root for the Dutch because in the 90s my closest soccer friend was from there.

Japan couldn't hold their lead and falls to Brazil (not too surprising there).

Paraguay giving Germany all they can handle! 1-1 in extra time.

sycasey said:

---

Paraguay giving Germany all they can handle! 1-1 in extra time.

---

On one hand I think overruling the German goal was ridiculous as there was little contact. On the other hand I think there should be a rule change to take away messing with the goalkeeper.

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Paraguay giving Germany all they can handle! 1-1 in extra time.

---

On one hand I think overruling the German goal was ridiculous as there was little contact. On the other hand I think there should be a rule change to take away messing with the goalkeeper.

---

Yeah seems like a soft call but apparently it's what the referees have been told to look for.

This is the kind of defensive effort many expected from Paraguay before the USA blew their doors off. Maybe that game actually was pretty impressive in hindsight!

sluggo said:

---

Cal88 said:

---

Banzai!

---

Japan is everything that is right about the World Cup and Brazil is everything that is wrong. Which makes me sad, I grew up watching Brazil in the 80s and 90s and they did not always win but they always played with style and were fun to watch.

I always pick Japan as my dark horse team because of their cohesiveness and selflessness. But they get in trouble because they don't have a top, top player and they are too short. Maybe this time will be different.

---

I didn't see today's game but Brazil was very fun to watch against Haiti. They struggled against Morocco.

In 1994 I remember the complaints from Brazilians that Romario and Bebeto weren't good enough. Rosario won player of the tournament. I think Brazil suffers from impossibly high expectations.

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Paraguay giving Germany all they can handle! 1-1 in extra time.

---

On one hand I think overruling the German goal was ridiculous as there was little contact. On the other hand I think there should be a rule change to take away messing with the goalkeeper.

---

In hockey it's goaltender interference- definitely that.

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Paraguay giving Germany all they can handle! 1-1 in extra time.

---

On one hand I think overruling the German goal was ridiculous as there was little contact. On the other hand I think there should be a rule change to take away messing with the goalkeeper.

---

Yeah seems like a soft call but apparently it's what the referees have been told to look for.

This is the kind of defensive effort many expected from Paraguay before the USA blew their doors off. Maybe that game actually was pretty impressive in hindsight!

---

I can't imagine what it would do to your legs to have your team's winning goal taken away in the 100th minute

Neuer is going to have to step up in the PKs. Generally speaking the Germans are good at taking penalties but the pressure will be on the favorites.

Cal88 said:

---

Neuer is going to have to step up in the PKs. Generally speaking the Germans are good at taking penalties but the pressure will be on the favorites.

---

Neuer is the best keeper I have seen in 40 years of watching soccer. (Which was right around when he was born.). It would be interesting to see him go out this way. But my money is always on him.

sycasey said:

---

sluggo said:

---

sycasey said:

---

Paraguay giving Germany all they can handle! 1-1 in extra time.

---

On one hand I think overruling the German goal was ridiculous as there was little contact. On the other hand I think there should be a rule change to take away messing with the goalkeeper.

---

Yeah seems like a soft call but apparently it's what the referees have been told to look for.

This is the kind of defensive effort many expected from Paraguay before the USA blew their doors off. Maybe that game actually was pretty impressive in hindsight!

---

It was impressive. Paraguay thought they could play with us, unlike how they have played Germany. They were mistaken!