Group B Discussion

Spain
Portugal
Morocco
Iran

Morocco 0-1 Iran

Nacho trips Ronaldo in the box. Ronny converts the pen. 1-0 Portugal

Why would you have 8 different topics instead of one discussion topic.

Great game though

What a goal, Diego

"don't know why Pepes gone over"

Have you ever seen him play before

Guedes messing up that 1 on 1 at 1-0 might prove costly, Spain are starting to tear Portugal apart

Reason why De Gea isn’t loved in Spain. Horror last week, now tonight

Howler klaxon

Portugal have conceded from a long ball and a set piece routine. Spain have been brilliant going forward but that doesn't sit well.

3-2 Nacho

Spain look phenomenal against the European champs

It’s time for West Ham to really influence this World Cup. On comes Joao Mario.

I’ve gone for multiple discussions to spread out chat based on each group so it’s localised and easy to continue from before. Thus, chat from this game isn’t then lost and never seen again when we are talking Spain vs Morocco days later.

It’s not really a big deal, all things considered, so isn’t worth debate.

Ronaldoooooooo!!!!!!!!

If there's a game better than this one at this WC I hope I'm watching

What a game. Ronaldo putting on one of the best individual performances in a World Cup game

The highlights suggested Spain were the better team while Ronaldo carried Portugal to a draw with his attacking threat, and De Gea made a mistake for one of the goals.  Ronaldo's free kick goal was perfect - one of those where it's so close to goal it is difficult to get it up and over the wall and then back down under the crossbar - but he easily did it with the deftest of touches and with a lot of side spin.

GSC wrote:Why would you have 8 different topics instead of one discussion topic.

Great game though

I was hoping Bertie would have a separate Relegation Prediction Thread for each group as well.

guildfordbat wrote:

GSC wrote:Why would you have 8 different topics instead of one discussion topic.

Great game though

I was hoping Bertie would have a separate Relegation Prediction Thread for each group as well.

So far I think Spain look to be the most solid team (I hope De Gea's mistake will be a one off).  Brazil and Germany have yet to play.  Still early days. I thought Uruguay could be dark horses for the Cup, but they were not quite firing on all cylinders in their first match against Egypt.

Portugal 1 up, Ronaldo of course.

Morocco are playing quite well, just a lack of something in the final 3rd.

Portugal 1-0 Morocco FT

No style awards for Portugal, but got the job done. Fully expect Spain will outdo them on GD to win the group

It's a carry on from the 2016 Euro's.And given how successful it was there, why change.

In a way it's a shame as they have some very talented players.
But as you say, it's all about the results as they showed in 2016.

Portugal got a friendly draw to the final 2 years ago, suspect the same will be required, or Ronaldo playing out of his skin for 4 consecutive games

Portugal are going to scumbag their way to the final, aren't they?

Queiroz decided to take his chances with Portugal in the last game rather than go for this. Possibly wrong call, Spain are brilliant going forwards but equally fragile. Portugal will happily get dragged down into a scrap.

Iran deserved more

Spain virtually through, level with Portugal atop the group. 1 game shootout for first place on goal difference, Iran have to beat Portugal.

Be great if a group came down to fair play points or FIFA drawing lots though

Despite Spain losing their manager two days before the start of the tournament - they are looking very strong - except De Gea doesn't look too convincing. Iran look very good and are perhaps the strongest of the minnows. Can they beat Portugal? I am not so sure. Portugal were quite lucky against Spain and Spain should have won that match except for a soft penalty and a De Gea mistake.

Morocco 1-1 Spain

So if Spain lose 2-0 and Iran draw with Portugal, Portugal will finish top and Iran second.

I thought Spain looked really solid - they should have beaten Portugal - apart from a defensive mistake and a goal-keeping howler.

Just John wrote:Morocco 1-1 Spain

Hmmm Morocco's lead didn't last long.  Maybe Morocco have just gone and stirred up a hornet's nest.

Quaresma magic

Stunner from Quaresma aided by some questionable keeping to gloss over a very ordinary Portugal

Morocco have had two one on one's with the goal-keeper. De Gea  was able to stop one but not the other.  It seems that Spain tend to push up high and then occasionally get caught out completely - leaving a Morocco player a free run and shot at goal.

That's a pretty generous penalty

Ronaldo misses

And duly saved from Ronaldo

Iran aren't going to finish with 11.

Basically shout loud, make a TV gesture, and you get a VAR review. Shame about the constant abuse of the VAR. Glad the PL have rejected it.

Spain - just not good enough defensively.  They are letting in too many goals.  They are likely going to finish second and I think Uruguay are getting stronger as the tournament progresses and will be favorites to beat Spain in the R16.

Portugal v Russia
Spain v Uruguay

Funny game Portugal v Iran. A laugh a minute.

In Group B Spain has conceded the most goals: 5
Portugal & Morocco have conceded 3 goals.
Iran has conceded 2 goals.

VAR wasted about 10 minutes of this game. Constant abuse of the system, for penalties that are never penalties in a million years. Embarrassing

Beyond a joke

An absolute farce is VAR

Iran penalty.

Spain equalise 2 - 2

Spain v Russia
Portugal v Uruguay

Thanks to VAR

No name Bertie wrote:Spain - just not good enough defensively.  They are letting in too many goals.  They are likely going to finish second and I think Uruguay are getting stronger as the tournament progresses and will be favorites to beat Spain in the R16.

Spain are bloody tap, tap, tap, tap, pass, tap, pass, tap, tap, tap, tap, pass, pass, tap, tap, tap, tap, pass, tap, pass, tap, pass, tap, tap, tap, tap marvellous!