Lived up to the Hype (12/18)

HOME - On paper, it was a great story for a few days talking about Messi vs Mbappe, two PSG teammates with different legacies on the line.  But for the first 75 minutes or so, 1C-Argentina came out firing on all cylinders while 1D-France, whether due to the flu bug that was spreading or just unprepared how ARG would attack this match, was always playing catch-up.  ARG buzzed and scored twice (Messi his 3rd PK) and blew chances for more in the first half.  ARG kept the pressure in the 2nd half as well.

I mean it took FRA 67 minutes to get their first official shot.  But a couple of key subs in the 71' and speed kills as a FRA player was pulled down in the box.  Mbappe just snuck the PK past the GK and 93 seconds later, a give-and-go and first-time strike by Mbappe tied the match at 2 in the 81'.  ARG was in survival mode but made it to the end of regulation.

In extra time, after some caution play, things opened up for some end-to-end action.  Messi put in a rebound with his right foot in the 108' but never count FRA out.  Pressure and off a CK, a shot hit an ARG defender in the arm for a clear PK.  Unlike Harry Kane, who had 2 PKs and missed the second, Mbappe went the same direction to tie the game at 3.  

Deflected, Goal! (12/14)

HOME - 1F-Morocco had not allowed an opponent to score (own goal was their only goal allowed) and never trailed in this WC, but 5 minutes in, 1D-France ended that with a high-kick strike off a deflected Kylian Mbappé shot.  MAR tried to go with their defensive players but a kickoff-scratch and a replacement (after what could've easily been 2-0) early in the 21' shuffled things around.  MAR had to play more attacking style forcing a couple of hard saves.  However, FRA ended Arab hopes with a 79' goal off another blocked Mbappé shot and FRA ended with their first clean sheet, 2-0, to advance to their 4th final (all in the last 7 WCs).

In the end MAR, the first African team to make the semis, can now win 3rd place on Saturday which, if the pro-MAR fans in the stadium can attest, will be a big deal for the Arab and African regions and Qatar.  They will play 2F-Croatia, another fellow Group F team and both these teams kicked off their group play with a scoreless draw with each other... hopefully, they'll let loose in the 3rd place match.

So we get an aging superstar for Paris Saint-Germain in Lionel Messi, who will be the record holder in WC matches played with 26 on Sunday, against the up and coming superstar for PSG in Mbappé.  Both have 5 goals but Messi has one more assist for the tiebreaker for the Golden Boot.  The odds are nearly 50/50 with very slight edge to FRA (5:6 vs 1:1).

Dynamic Duo (12/13)

HOME -- With 2F-Croatia keeping most possession, 1C-Argentina used a burst of energy from Julian Alvarez and a careless GK challenge was called for a PK which Lionel Messi, who was not involved up until then, buried his 3rd PK of the tournament (ARG has earned 4 PKs, all taken by Messi).  Then all it took was a CRO corner kick a few minutes later that went awry, a slight touch by Messi before he was fouled (the refs have been doing a good job playing advantage) found Alvarez before midfield and he ran and duked and ran past some poor defending with the ball popping up for an easy tap in past the GK.

A second-half third goal as Messi awed the audience and the defender, somehow the 35-year old getting around and giving a perfect pass for a tap in for Alvarez's second goal.  The 3-0 win in front of 88,966 fans sent ARG to its 6th final (2-3).  So the dynamic duo officially had 3 goals and 2 assists between them (Messi's touch on Alvarez's first goal not an assist since it did ping pong off a couple of CRO defenders - dumb rule but it is consistent so all assists are the same and FIFA does not even list assists on their match center).

With no ARG jersey (thought I had a replica blue one) or CRO (really need to get a red/white checkerboard one), figured I would pull out the official Ted Lasso jersey for AFC Richmond since it has "DubaiAir" as a sponsor (no spoiler for Season 2).  Also funny that with the Apple TV logo on the left sleeve (its a promo jersey), all MLS teams will have one on their left sleeve as well (as part of Apple TV's 10-year deal with MLS)- life imitating art.

African Breakthrough (12/10)

HOME -- For the first time, an African nation is advancing to the semi-finals as 1F-Morocco got a leaping header (even over an outstretched POR GK) late in the first half that held up to stun 1H-Portugal, 1-0, to join fellow Group F team 2F-Croatia.  After scoring 6 in the Round of 16, POR had lots of possession but could not break through a MAR defense that has not allowed a goal yet (their only goal allowed was an own goal for CAN).  MAR also doubles as the de facto host nation representing the Arab nation of Qatar (who finished #32 of 32 teams).  MAR is 7-0-3 in their last 10 matches, their last loss -- to USA on June 1.  MAR has also not allowed a goal (except for the own goal) in their last 9 matches.  

In a clash of giants, one heck of an entertaining match with 1D-France prevailing 2-1 over 1B-England where FRA's GK was busy for the first time (he didn't play in the loss vTUN).  FRA converted early on a very long strike from outside before ENG tied it on Harry Kane's PK in the 54'.  FRA went ahead in the 78' but then FRA committed an unnecessary push in the box where VAR had to get involved because it was so obvious.  But Harry Kane's second PK attempt was skied over the crossbar in the 84'.  

Whereas yesterday saw the underdog score on their only shots on goal, today's shot totals were more even in both matches (on goal: ENG 6-5, MAR & POR 3 each).  MAR has already won more games this tourney than in all previous tourneys (3 vs 2).  

While I was in St. Louis, I found out Panera Bread started out there as St. Louis Bread Company, but interestingly, except for the outside sign saying "St. Louis Bread Co." (all St. Louis stores have this sign), everything inside is Panera-branded.  So, while wearing my 2013 ENG home 150th anniversary jersey at my local Panera Bread to grab my free drink (Sip Club).

In the pool, no one had MAR in the semi-finals but 57 did pick FRA (and 52 got none).  Overall, Indy Ari and Free Merman (17th, 99 pts) got 3 of 4 SFs while 12 got none and can't get any more points.  Indy Ari still leads with 106 points with Soccerbix and The Gambler 1 behind with 105 each.  Meli clinched last place with 60 pts as Markofthebeast moved to 108th with FRA's win.

Soccerbix clinched at least 4th and has a 50/50 chance to win the pool for the second time ('98).  A total of 6 can still win the pool with 16 (!) that can still finish in the money.  Bwakewey 2 and Mimi are tied for 4th (104) but can't finish higher than 4th while Danish Dynamite is tied for 37th (92) but can still win the pool.  Mezlove is tied for 10th (101) but is eliminated while Kona Coast Uno is tied for 47th but can still finish 2nd.  The Final Four possibilities are also listed along with tiebreaker scenarios (some of the 16 may lose out on a tiebreaker for 5th and finish out of the money).

Eagle-eyed viewers will have already seen what the top 5 prize breakdowns are but will talk about it more tomorrow or Monday along with what this "$40 Bonus" is.

Late Comebacks & Heartache (12/9)

EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Two South American teams had leads late and both allowed European teams to rally and tie.  Only one overcame heartache to win.  

The #1 team in the world, 1G-Brazil, came off of dancing in the Round of 16 to struggle yet again on offense despite 20 shots.  In extra time, a couple of give-and-gos and great touch around the GK, provided a dramatic goal by Neymar as first half extra time expired.  Neymar's 77th goal for BRA tied him with Pele but the goal affected the team in the second half of extra time as they were confused, being passive, show-boating, and driving forward and that lack of defending focus allowed 2F-Croatia to counter with their first shot on goal slightly deflected and going into the net in the 117'.  

CRO's second straight comeback (third of this WC) sent the match to their second straight penalty shootout, a spot CRO is feeling comfortable having now played 4 in the last two WCs.  CRO's GK made another save (4th in the two PSOs) and with the PSO 4-2 in favor of CRO, BRA hit the left post, sending CRO to their second straight semifinal.  It'll be the "doink" heard around the world.  Neymar didn't even shoot as there was no fifth round of PSO.

6 of CRO's last 7 major tournament knockout matches have gone to extra time, and CRO is 4-0 if it goes to the PSO.  BRA has lost to a European team in the knockout stage in five straight WCs since their title in 2002.  

Ronaldo Who? (12/6)

SAINT LOUIS, MO -- How many TV shots were there on 1H-Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in the yellow sub jersey?  Well, his replacement Goncalo Ramos only scored a hat trick as POR routed 2G-Switzerland 6-1.  POR scored 6 goals on just 13 shots (9 were on goal) including some wicked strikes.  Ronaldo did come in as a sub but his future is uncertain if the team keeps playing well without him.

While favorites were dominating save 2018 runner-up 2F-Croatia who won in Penalty Shootout, 2E-Spain garnered 68% possession (with in-contest) and 13 shots, but just put one on goal.  1F-Morocco, surprise winners of Group F, were patient as ESP passed the ball around and had a good number of chances, but after 120 minutes, the match was the 7th 0-0 draw.  In PSO, MAR's GK saved 2 of 3 shots with the other hitting the right post as MAR hit 3 of 4, the latter game-winner right up the middle (a hard panenka, I guess) from a player born in Spain.

Flew out to St. Louis for a work technical information meeting and I allegedly have a view of the Arch, except it was rainy and foggy so you could only see some UFO lights in the sky.  But Busch Stadium is nearby and it was a good walk late at night.  Wore my replica 2012 ESP home jersey with the 2008 Euro champion patch.  I did not wear it at LAX's Delta Sky Club but watched as ESP took 3 tepid PKs.

58 got POR and two actually picked MAR (FTRxBigJim (22nd-Tied, 86 pts) and Inconceivable! (42nd-T, 80)) into the Quarters.  FTRxBigJim was the only one to get both MAR and POR while 50 got none.  Five are now tied for first with 91 points with 5 more tied with 90.  Markofthebeast is still last with 57 pts.

The Gambler 1 (1st-T) has the best chance to win the pool (14.1%) with Soccerbix (1st-T) the best chance to win money (34.4%).  21 can still win the pool and 57 can still finish in the top 5 money spots.  FTRxBigJim is tied for 22nd but can't win money while Kicking it Old School is tied for 88th (72) but can still win the pool.  Tiny Destroyer is tied for 6th but can't win the pool.

Depth (12/5)

CYPRESS, CA - One thing that separates the European and South American teams from the rest of the world is their depth.  2F-Croatia rallied to tie 1E-Japan early 1-1 in the second half and then subbed judiciously, even replacing their scorer, to wear down the JPN pressure in extra time.  JPN seemed to settle for the penalty kick shootout and that is not what should have happened, because the PSO is not a 50/50 chance, experience plays a big role.  Two of the 3 PSO scorers for CRO were substitutes and CRO's towering GK made not 1, not 2, but 3 saves to help CRO win another PSO, 3-1, to advance to the quarterfinals.

1G-Brazil which had the luxury of resting all their starters in their 3rd match (even their GK who had faced zero shots on goal in 2 matches) ran all over 2H-Korea Republic in the first half, scoring four goals, three of the pretty kind and one PK by Neymar, who returned from injury.  After each goal, BRA were dancing in choreographed moves, which after a bit, seemed like they were stomping on the dead, who hadn't died yet.  KOR did manage to get a goal in the 76' to prevent the shutout.

But just as you are ready to brand BRA the villains of this WC, they bring out a touching tribute and banner for Pele, who was hospitalized.  Great gesture.

Easy Peasey (12/4)

HOME - 1D-France and 1B-England cruised to victories with with FRA beating 2C-Poland 3-1 and ENG shutting out 2A-Senegal 3-0.  This sets up a European clash in the quarterfinal as the soccer giants regain control of this WC.

For the second time in this WC, Kylian Mbappe scored 2 goals with two precision strikes.  POL had a double-chance early but came out empty and five minutes later FRA scored.  A VAR review gave POL a PK and Robert Lewandowski's attempt was saved, but his stutter made the GK come off the line early and VAR confirmed a retake.  Lewy made no mistake this time in the 90'+9' putting POL on the board.

SEN came out strong like USA but couldn't put their chances away and ENG scored one and then the dagger in first-half stoppage (like what NED did to USA).  

Wore my authentic 2008 ENG home jersey, a Beckham #7.  Also, got a Douglas fir tree yesterday and my daughter and wife did a great job decorating it after my son and I struggled to get the thick trunk into the stand and then into the house!

I still have to work out some kinks in the possibilities (coming from Euro 2021 where there were just 36 matches instead of 48, it affected the point totals but won't really make a difference in who is alive).

Kankleiscious now has a 3-point lead with 84 points with DDubs and Swerveman tied for 2nd.  Markofthebeast is last with 52 pts.  91 had ENG and 83 had FRA.  72 got both FRA and ENG while 7 missed both.  Overall, 49 are 4-0 in the R16 while 16 are 2-2.

In the possibilities run, I had to adjust from Euro (36 group matches) to WC (48).  That meant 3 extra entries can win the pool and one more can win money.  So 77 can win money and 46 can still win the pool.  The Gambler (4th-T, 80) has the best chance for both (18.7% and 36.4%).

Dum-founded! (12/3)

WHITTIER, CA -- 1A-Netherland's Denzel Dumfries had two excellent low crosses that led to goals, one early (10') and a dagger before halftime (45'+1'), and then scored himself in the 81' on a wide open strike to lead NED to a 3-1 win over 2B-USA.  USA had a 54%-33% possession advantage, but that was by design as NED's first two shots on goal were goals.  Clinical finishing.  USA missed a point blank open shot in the 3', NED finished theirs.  USA did outshot NED 18-11 (7-6 on goal) but spent a lot of energy early.

NED was getting sloppy and USA finally capitalized on a Christian Pulisic cross that happened to hit the back of Haji Wright's foot and the ball leapt over the 6'-8" GK and into the goal to cut the deficit to 2-1.  But that only lasted five minutes as Dumfries scored to seal the victory.  NED is now unbeaten in their last 19 matches and USA is now 0-4 against UEFA teams in the R16.

Lionel Messi scored for 1C-Argentina early and an AUS GK gaffe extended the lead to 2-0 in the 57'.  But an own goal off a deflection pulled 2D-Australia within one in the 77' and unlike the USA, they didn't allow the killer 3rd goal.  While ARG blew some chances, AUS had a few of their own including at the end (point blank but straight at the GK) and ARG goes to the Quarters winning 2-1.

Wore my authentic 2002 USA Home jersey in hopes of rekindling USA's QF run in 2002.  I kept my thoughts on the blog:

USA v NED - Live!

as the match wore on.  Had to wash the loss down with one SoCal's iconic taco shop, Arturo's Puffy Taco in Whittier.  If you haven't been, the classic ground beef taco is excellent and has been featured on the Food Channel.  It's one of those foods that you cannot find anywhere else.  You would think someone would mimic the formula so I wouldn't have to drive there when I have the craving.  

98 had ARG and 88 had NED in their QF.  Two (Cicero (86th-Tied, 58 pts) (who was tied for 1st on Nov 29) and Ugh, as If! (67th-T, 60)) lost USA as their champ.  81 got both ARG & NED while 4 got none.  Kankleiscious still in 1st with 74 points while Markofthebeast is last with 42 pts.  

Stoppage Time Winner (12/2)

WORK FROM HOME --  H4-Korea Republic (South Korea) scored in first minute of stoppage time to pull off upset of H1-Portugal, 2-1, to become the 3rd Asian team to make the R16.  H3-Uruguay took an early 2-0 lead over H2-Ghana but could not add to the total, and just one more goal would have advanced them.  As such, they lose the goals for tiebreaker to KOR.  I'm sure GHA will relish eliminating URU after an intentional handball by Luis Suarez (who helped with 2 URU goals today but was subbed off in the 66' after picking up a yellow card) in 2010 Quarterfinal forced GHA into a PK which they missed and URU eventually prevailed.  

While G4-Cameroon and G1-Brazil's B-team battled scoreless for most of the day, G3-Switzerland and G2-Serbia exchanged plenty of goals.  SRB rallied to take a 2-1 lead (briefly taking 2nd place slot) but SUI scored twice more to win 3-2 and make the R16 for 4th time in last 5 WCs.  CMR actually got a stoppage time goal but still would need SUI to give up two goals so a moral victory.

BRA's 17-game unbeaten streak in group stage matches came to an end (yes, it was their B-team but that's a pretty good B-team).  No team won 3 games for the first time since 1994 with 1A-ENG #1 thus far (7 pts, +7 GD).  When KOR made the R16 in 2002 they need to beat -- POR in the 3rd group match.  KORvPOR was first non-scoreless tie at halftime (then followed by SRBvSUI 2:2 at half), after the first 23 halftime ties were 0-0.

One busy Friday working from home with several Zoom meetings but still enjoyed the endings of the matches.  Wore my 2020 POR Away jersey with Nations League champion patch.  But I was rooting for KOR so maybe I need to shell out for a KOR jersey.

As it happened:

Craziness at the Top (12/1)

LA MIRADA, CA --  So we all had F3-Morocco and E4-Japan winning Group E and F, right?  All goals in Group F were scored before halftime as MAR scored 3 (ok, one was an own goal to F2-Canada) in winning 2-1 while F1-Belgium and F4-Croatia would play to the WC's 6th scoreless draw.  With MAR handling CAN (started with mistake by CAN GK), #2 in the world BEL just needed one goal and they had many chances in the end (most by halftime sub Romelu Lukaku who was just unlucky and should've easily scored on at least 2 of his 5 shots) and the Golden Generation bows out of group stage for first time since 1998.  By holding on, CRO takes 2nd in Group F.

At halftime, Group E was reverting back to normal from chaos as 2-time champ E1-Spain and 4-time champ E3-Germany were sitting 1-2 in the standings.  But chaos returned as subs helped JPN net two goals in 4 minutes to lead ESP, 2-1.  The latter goal was initially called out of bounds before the great cross but VAR's super tech determined a sliver of the ball was still in play and the goal stood.  Sliver.  That sliver put JPN on top of the group with GER chasing.  GER ran into trouble giving up two goals to E2-Costa Rica in 6 minutes (the latter a GER own goal) and CRC took 2nd over ESP.  But GER scored 3 minutes later and though added two more goals to win 4-2, ESP had a massive GD advantage to keep 2nd.  In stoppage time after JPN made two key saves, ESP seemed content with 2nd place (while JPN fans were nervous of giving up tying goal which would have eliminated them) which I'm sure annoyed GER fans.

For the 2nd straight WC, GER fails to make the R16 while JPN has rallied twice to beat two WC champs in the same stadium (sandwiching a perplexing 1-0 loss to CRC).  Talk about the hardest path.  GER had 32 shots and would have needed to win by 8 to guarantee a spot but all they needed was ESP to tie. JPN had just 17.7% possession (14% if you include "in contest" possession) and that's the lowest for a winner of a WC match.  

JPN made the R16 in 2002 for the first time so wore my authentic 2002 JPN Home jersey while taking care of Dad.  My jersey is #7 Hidetoshi Nakata with JPNvTUR imprint for their R16 match (which JPN lost).  Was lucky today though and just as nerve-wrecking as USAvIRN match, but glad ESP took the pedal off the gas in the last two minutes of stoppage time.

As it happened:

Group Drama (11/30)

LA MIRADA, CA -- Yesterday, it was pretty straightforward towards the end with IRNvUSA and ECUvSEN being deciding matches.  Today, lots of drama in the final group matches of C and D as teams flip-flopped throughout the day until the final whistle.  D4-Tunisia shocked #4 D1-France's B team, 1-0, but it wasn't enough as D2-Australia shocked #10 D3-Denmark by the same score to take the 2nd place spot.  TUN was in 2nd spot for only minutes as AUS scored soon after.  DEN, needing two goals for any chance, tried to play spoiler to AUS but could not score.

C1-Argentina sat in 2nd after losing their first match and peppered C4-Poland but had their controversial PK saved in the first half.  POL was content with their superhuman GK (11 saves) even after ARG scored a couple of goals and needed to hold the line as they got outshot 25-4 and 13-0 on goal.  C3-Mexico need to make up at least four goals against POL or hope for ARG to lose.  After ARG scored to reduce the GD (goal differential) deficit to 3, MEX scored two goals (including a long FK golazo) in 6 minutes, their first goals of this WC, to cut the GD deficit to 1.  ARG scored again making MEX and POL even on GD, GF (goals for), and head-to-head (they tied).  The next tiebreaker was Fair Play (FP) points which POL started the day +2 but an early MEX yellow card increased it to +3. MEX needed a 3rd goal (almost got it in the 87' but auto-bot ruled offsides) to win on GF since POL wasn't trying to score.  But they came up short and missed the R16 for the first time since 1978 (8 straight when qualified, missed 1990 due to ban) and POL made their first R16 since 1986.

Two teams that won didn't make the R16 (TUN, MEX) and both teams also scored their first goals in their 3rd match..  Thus far, two teams with 4 points (ECU, TUN) and two teams that won their first match (ECU, KSA) failed to qualify.  AUS and ARG joined SEN as teams who lost their first match and made the R16.  All 4 matches were scoreless at the half (22 of 40 have been). 

I didn't have a MEX jersey so I wore my authentic 2022 MLS All-Star Liga MX jersey and pondered how far CONCACAF has fallen (save USA).

As it happened:

+9 (11/29)

WORK, EL SEGUNDO, CA -- While A4-Netherlands and B1-England had easy victories over A1-Qatar (2-0) and B4-Wales (3-0), respectively, to win their groups and qualify for the Round of 16, the second-place slots were nerve-wrecking.  Each game had a high 9 minutes of stoppage time as A3-Senegal and B3-USA had to protect one-goal leads to advance.  A2-Ecuador had tied it before SEN went back up three minutes later in the 70'.  With ECU needing only a draw, SEN's defense held up for those long 9-10 minutes.  

USA's only option was to win (no dependency on ENGvWAL) and although they didn't get an early goal they did get a late first half goal thanks to future star finally showing up and putting his body and soul into the play giving USA a 1-0 lead in the 38'.  But Christian Pulisic suffered a bad injury (either he getting kneed in the stomach/groin area by GK while he braced himself on the GK's groin) and left the match at halftime.  

All of USA's effort was marred by poor touches and bad decisions, especially in the last 15 +9 (actually ten) minutes, and while you can blame fatigue considering how hard USA played, a good number of these misfires were coming from subs Shaq Moore and Haji Wright.  Luckily, like E2-Costa Rica did against E4-Japan, they constantly challenged IRN players just inside midfield (not letting them get too deep in USA's end) forcing IRN to play backwards at times. But going into a defensive shell does mean lots of IRN possession and when IRN did break through, strong shots not on frame hurt them (USA GK Matt Turner was only credited with one save (FIFA updated: 2) though several shots got past him).  

There were two instances in the +9 stoppage time where IRN wanted a handball and a foul, but luckily both plays weren't 50/50 calls so no call was the obvious correct call.  Add to that this ref let a lot of physical play happen (there were 4 yellow cards ( with 1 to a IRN bench player and 1 to IRN for shirt pulling not a tackle) but could have easily been 8 or more), no way he would call those fouls.  Boy the stress though!  

Goals & Golazos (11/28)

CYPRESS, CA -- The day (or night here on the Left Coast) started off with a banger with G4-Cameroon scoring first before G2-Serbia scored two first-half stoppage time goals.  SRB added a third before CMR's Vincent Aboubakar looped a ball high over the GK to the lead to one in the 63'... or so they thought.  Offsides.  But wait, VAR intervened and CMR added the game-tying third goal three minutes later.  Great goals in this one as both teams exchanged flicks on direct kicks (CK for CMR, FK for SRB) and the other four all came from the run of play.

Five more goals would be found in the next match as H2-Ghana jumped to a 2-0 first half lead before H4-Korea Rep's Guesung Cho scored twice in 4 minutes in the second half to level it at 2, the latter a leaping golazo header past the GK.  But Kudos Mohammed scored his second goal 10 minutes later to give GHA the 3-2 win.  African teams went 3-1-1 this round after going 0-3-2.

G1-Brazil got a late half-volley golazo to beat G3-Swiss 1-0 and H1-Portugal got two goals from Bruno Fernandes, the first a pass just missing the head of Cristiano Ronaldo that went into the net, to defeat H3-Uruguay, 2-0.  Both winners joined D1-France into the Round of 16.

Didn't have a Serbia jersey but Slovakia has good relations with them and is one of the few countries I have visited (Bratislava).  So I wore the authentic 2016 home jersey, which as a white jersey is pretty slick with two badges on either side of the Puma logo.  Good enough to wear at a Boy Scout meeting to prepare mistletoe presents for over 300 people.  

In the pool, The Gambler was the only one to get all 4 matches correct to jump into a tie for first with DDubs, Kankileiscious, and The Gambler 1 (also him) with 20 points.  Four went 0-4 as Chris 1, Markofthebeast, and Meli are tied for last with 10 pts.  107 picked BRA, 102 POR, 24 GHA, and 18 picked the CMR-SRB tie.  

We now head into the final round of games.  16 points are up for grabs for four straight days (12 points for getting 4 R16 teams and 4 points for 4 matches).  For the 109 who picked FRA and BRA and 101 who picked POR won't get those 3 points each until their group matches are complete.

Not as Expected (11/27)

CUCINA ALESSÁ, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA -- F2-Canada scored in the 2' but it was all F4-Croatia after that in losing 4-1 and becoming the second team eliminated from the Knockout Stage.  For a CAN team that outplayed #2 F1-Belgium and won the CONCACAF qualifying group, this was a disappointing outcome heading into co-hosting in 2026.  Speaking of #2 BEL, F3-Morocco scored two late goals to shock BEL, 2-0 and take the group lead.

E4-Japan, who rallied and beat E3-Germany, overthought the game against E2-Costa Rica, who got blown out 7-0 by E1-Spain, by changing their lineup and keeping CRC in the match.  A spirited CRC defense fought for every through ball and took their one chance with an off-speed lob that fooled JPN's GK into jumping a tad early for the game-winner in the 81'.  Who would have thought CRC would give CONCACAF their first win of the tourney.

ESP was in control leading 1-0 but power doesn't panic and GER, although with JPN losing they would not have been eliminated with a loss, got the equalizer in the 83'.  GER has one of the more unique direct qualification path in that if they beat CRC by 8 goals, they will qualify.  But most scenarios need help even with a win.  

With Asian Football Confed's C2-Saudi Arabia and JPN losing, they are on the verge to be one of the 16% to fail to make the Round of 16 after winning their first game.  

So waking up at 3:30 am just in time to see CRC score was demoralizing and went out with my family to a very good Italian restaurant (yes, I had an Italian sausage omelet but the kids had pasta which was really good) in Huntington Beach to drown my sorrows in my authentic 2021 Anniversary JPN jersey, one of my favorite jerseys.

While 74 picked CRO, just 29 picked the ESP-GER draw, 13 CRC, and Party Brigade (104th-Tied, 10 pts) was the only one to pick MAR.  26 went 2-2 while 18 went 0-4.  CDOG, DDubs, Kankleiscious, and The Gambler 1 are tied for first with 17 pts while Meli is now alone in last (8).

The Stars Shine (11/26)

SLEEPY @ HOME - World stars woke up as C4-Poland's Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) scored his first WC goal, D1-France's Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) scored a brace (to tie Zinedine Zidane for most goals for FRA (31)), and C1-Argentina's Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), in his last WC, scored on a long strike to keep ARG alive.  POL leapfrogged #53 C2-Saudi Arabia by winning 2-0 while ARG stayed alive by defeating C3-Mexico by the same score.  FRA became the first team to qualify for the Round of 16 beating C3-Denmark, 2-1, in the only matchup between two top 10 teams in the Group Stage.  

An early goal was enough to keep D2-Australia alive in beating D4-Tunisia, 1-0.  TUN has been shutout twice but is technically still alive but will need to beat FRA and a positive result from AUS-DEN.  KSA had a chance to qualify with a win but missed a game-tying PK in first-half stoppage time and will try again against MEX.

So for TUNvAUS match, geez, these 2 am matches... just woke up at 3:35 am to see the last 10-15 min (plus stoppage time) and glad to see the Socceroos win.  Wore my authentic 2008 AUS home jersey for the day after a long night dealing with a family issue.  Now JPNvCRC is a 2 am match tomorrow.  Need my naps.

Half the group matches are done.  Three of the heavy favorites won (POL by 99, ARG 90, and FRA 66) with the most split match (34 TUN-36 AUS-39 TIE (match picked most to draw)) going to AUS.  17 went 4-0 for the day while S Rod 2 (95th-Tied, 10 pts) went 0-4.  CDOG and Kaneiscious (geez, painful to type this every time :-)) are tied for first with 16 pts with Markofthebeast and Meli still tied for last with 8 pts.

Just a reminder that no one will get the 3 points for FRA making the Round of 16 until after Group D finishes.  Everyone picked FRA so it won't make a difference.  Everyone also picked ARG and we all get a slight reprieve.  

High Kick (11/25)

NERVOUS @ HOME - It seemed like D3-USA was using E4-Japan's strategy of absorbing pressure and saving energy for the second half but midway through the first half, the D1-England dominant possession gave way and USA had the better of chances.  Unlike against D4-Wales, USA kept the possession and pressure in the second half but could not finish, settling for a 0-0 draw, USA's first-ever 0-0 WC draw (35 matches).  With D2-IR Iran's two stoppage time goals against 10-men WAL, USA controls their destiny and need a win against IRN.  If you can't beat IRN, you don't deserve to be in the Knockout round.  

WAL had the first red card of the tourney as their GK came out and his high kick knocked the IRN player down way outside the box in the 86'.  IRN's second of two stoppage-time goals was in the 90'+11', the latest goal in regulation... of course, this WC, refs are putting all missing time back in resulting in unusually high added minutes (this match had +9 officially).  With the free-flowing injury-free ENG-USA second half, just +4 was put up, one of the lowest this WC (for 2nd half).  The first half was just +1.

ENG had one last chance in stoppage time thanks to another errant pass by Walker Zimmerman (the same one who dumbly committed the foul in the box to allow WAL to tie USA) but Harry Kane's clear header went wide left.  You could have a drinking game whenever there is a missed pass towards midfield, and if it was Zimmerman, take a shot.  You may get drunk quickly.  Luckily, Zimmerman plays well when defending to stay a starter.

A2-Ecuador got a second-half equalizer to tie A4-Netherlands 1-1 as both sit atop Group A with 4 points while host A1-Qatar got their first goal but A3-Senegal scored 3 and eliminated QAT for the Round of 16.  QAT is the second host to not make the Round of 16 (South Africa in 2010) and will try to not become the first host to finish the group stage with zero points.

I guess my 2010 home USA jersey worked as this jersey was the same type worn in USA 1-1 tie with ENG in 2010.  Since USA needs a win in their last match like 2010 (they somehow fell into 1st in 2014), I guess it'll be the 2010 away USA jersey on Tuesday.

In the pool, only SEN's win was picked by more than 19 entries (73).  19 picked IRN, 17 had ENG-USA draw, and only 6 had NED-ECU draw.  Eggman (30th-T, 10 pts) was the only one to go 3-1 while 23 went 0-4.  This left three at the top with 13 points (Cicero, Kankleiscious, and Walloon) with Markofthebeast and Meli tied for last with 6 pts.

Scissor Kick (11/24)

FAMILY TURKEY DINNER @ HOME - G1-Brazil's Richarlison got one heck of a golazo scissor kick, his second goal of the match, to lead the #1 team to a 2-0 victory over G2-Serbia after a scoreless first half.  In fact, all four matches were scoreless in the first half with H1-Portugal and H2-Ghana putting up 5 total in the second half (3-2 win for POR), G3-Switzerland getting an early second half goal for a 1-0 win over G4-Cameroon, and H3-Uruguay and H4-Korea Republic playing to the tourney's 4th nil-nil draw.  In fact, neither URU nor KOR had a shot on goal!

Ronaldo scored a PK meaning he is the only player to score in 5 different World Cups (BRA's Marta has done the same for the Women's WC). KOR's tie meant that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) went 2-0-1 in their last three games after losing their first three.  Both CAF (Africa) (0-3-2) and CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean) (0-2-2) were winless (excluding Oceania who didn't place any teams).  UEFA (Europe) went 7-2-4 while CONMEBOL (South America) went 2-1-1.

Wore my 100th anniversary POR jersey (2014 Home) as we hosted the family dinner this year.  Our oven was great, zipping past the 170F for turkey but with an injector using my wife's unique seasoning, everyone loved the turkey.  Whew.  

In the pool, nine entries are tied for 1st with 11 points (though not the same 9 from yesterday).  Ten went 4-0 today while 4 went 1-3.  85 picked SUI, 107 BRA, 102 POR, and 14 got the surprising URU-KOR tie.

As the second matches for teams kick off tomorrow, if a team qualifies for the Round of 16, you won't get the 3 points until after each team plays their 3rd match of the group.  

Asian Shocker Redux! (11/23)

LA MIRADA, CA - For the third straight major tournament, E3-Germany loses their first group match, this time to #24 E4-Japan, 2-1.  GER lost to France in Euro 2020 and was upset 1-0 by Mexico in 2018 where they eventually missed the 2018 Knockout Stage after getting upset by another Asian team, Korea Republic, in their 3rd match.  GER dominated for the first 2/3rds of the match with possession and shots but JPN got two late goals nine minutes apart (75', 83'), the latter a laser up past the GK near post at close range.  This reminded me of Landon Donovan's "aim for the head" laser shot in the 2010 World Cup vs Slovenia.  

E1-Spain, GER's next opponent, showed their dominance putting up 7 goals against E2-Costa Rica.  If GER were to lose against ESP, they would need CRC to beat JPN to have any chance of advancing.  CRC has no shots at all and had just 17% possession (they did have more offsides than ESP with 7).  

#2 in the world F1-Belgium struggled against F2-Canada (getting outshot 21-9) but saved an early PK in holding on, 1-0.  #12 F4-Croatia and #22 F3-Morocco played to the tourney's 3rd scoreless draw.

It was well worth getting up at 6:30 am (after going to sleep near 3 am after watching the satisfying season finale of Star Wars: Andor) to see JPN turn it on and get rewarded with two goals.  Wore my authentic 2020-21 home JPN jersey afterwards when taking my mom to get her car a smog check.  But JPN's WC jersey looks great as well.

Kona Coast Uno (10th-Tied, 7 pts) was the only one to pick JPN while 14 picked the MAR-CRO tie.  101 picked ESP and 96 picked BEL.  12 entries went 3-1 while Firewire (69th-T, 5) and Young Bloods (69th-T) went 0-4 today.  This left nine in a tie for first with 8 pts while Meli (108th-T) joins Markofthebeast in last with 3 pts.

NOTE: Unlucky (1st-T) and What Would Pep Do (69th-T) were inadvertently swapped in points (corrected 11/23).  Thanks for Keith J for finding this error.  I now have an additional check when Excel decides to outsmart me.  

Asian Shocker! (11/22)

EL SEGUNDO, CA - Well, #3 C1-Argentina scored four goals in the first 35 minutes, but three were called back (including one goal overturned by VAR) and one that they did score (a Messi PK) was possible because VAR overturned the ref and called for a PK.  Once C2-Saudi Arabia, ranked 53rd in the world, weathered this initial onslaught, they struck with 2 goals in six minutes early in the second half and held on to a 2-1 win.  The game-winner was a golazo strike by Salem Al-Dawsari in the 53' over the GK's outstretched hands in what some call the biggest upset in WC history.

But maybe ARG meant for this to happen so they could finish 2nd in the group and get to play G1-Brazil in the final instead of the semifinals?  I guess USA fans should not be disappointed anymore.  ARG had a 36-match unbeaten streak, had won their last 27 WC matches when leading at the half (1-0 today), and had not lost in their last 40 when scoring first.  Not sure what their record is when they were called offsides TEN (10) times.

ARG was not the only top team to struggle against lesser opponents as #10 D3-Denmark drew nil-nil to #30 D4-Tunisia and #13 C3-Mexico was held to a scoreless draw with #26 C4-Poland.  #38 D2-Australia scored first against #4 D1-France but Les Blues scored the next four (outshooting AUS 22-4) to sit comfortably on top of Group D.  While the MEX-POL draw was a positive for ARG, if ARG loses their next match against MEX, ARG are eliminated.  Same for AUS (lose next match vTUN and they are out).  Interestingly, both teams that scored first, lost.

Wore my 100th anniversary FRA jersey but was working so didn't get to watch the late game anywhere.  But that jersey will make an appearance again.

In the pool, no one picked KSA as this was the only one of 48 group matches where all 109 picked one team.  Luis (1st-Tied, 6 pts) was the one to correctly pick the DEN-TUN tie while 106 picked FRA and28 picked MEX-POL tie.  28 got two correct and Meli (103rd-T, 2) and Eggman2 (103rd-T) went 0-4.  Five are tied for first with 6 points while Markofthebeast got his first win with FRA (was 0-7) to sit in last.