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.

African & Asian Teams Shine (6/25)

DAHLGREN, VA -- B4-Iran nearly scored a stoppage time goal that would have eliminated B1-Portugal but had to settle for a hard-fought 1-1 tie that featured three VAR reviews.  Ronaldo missed an early PK after getting the benefit of a PK via VAR but had to settle for 2nd in Group B after Iran scored a PK in stoppage time.  B2-Spain had to rally twice against B3-Morocco (who had scored zero goals), the latter on a smart quick corner kick late in stoppage time that VAR review looked at and overruled the lineman's offside flag.  The 2-2 tie gave Spain the Group on goals scored over Portugal and still hasn't lost in 23 matches.  Due to goals scored, ESP still would've advanced with a 2-1 loss.

In the battle for first, A4-Uruguay scored

One Favorite Proves Its Might (6/18)

While the three odds-on favorites (BRA, GER, ESP) to win the Cup have gone 0-1-2, just on the outside is G1-Belgium, ranked #3 in the world and in the second half they exploded against newbie G2-Panama scoring 3 times in a 3-0 win.  Only top group seeds A1-Russia and C1-France have managed to pick up wins, and Russia was technically the fourth-best team in the group.  H1-Poland plays Tuesday.

Harry Kane scored early and in final stoppage time to give