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.  

ARG vs FRA - Live!

PSG Rumble on FOX!

HOME - If I can wake up early, will try to capture thoughts as they happen - Will Messi get his first WC trophy in his swan song or will Mbappé get his 2nd trophy before he turns 24?

12:19 am PST - 3 goals were scored in the 3rd place match and this Final could add to that total which is our total goals tiebreaker.  Remember, penalty shootout (PSO) goals do not count if it is tied after 120 minutes.  Fernando B (Soccerbix) gets to relax after already clinching 1st place by building more than a 14-point (value for picking correct champion) lead over those who picked FRA.

Right now, if ARG wins, KevLo takes 2nd over SoccerWife (she needs 4+ goals in Final to switch this) and Unlucky and Merman take 4th and 5th with AC in Doha out of the money in 6th.  AC in Doha needs 5 goals scored in final to get 5th (knocking Unlucky out) and 6+ goals to finish 4th.

If FRA wins, currently 2 Goals 1 World Cup, Redhat Dave, and Kona Coast Uno will finish 2nd/3rd/4th.  If 3 goals are scored in final, then Redhat Dave and Kona Coast Duo finish tied for 2nd.  If 4+ goals are scored, Kona Coast Uno takes 2nd, Redhat Dave 3rd, and 2 Goals 1 World Cup 4th.  KevLo would take 5th over SoccerWife (but if 4+ goals are scored, it reverses).

For Bonus, if ARG and FRA are scoreless and go to PSO, then if ARG wins PSO, Union FC and Cisco split the Bonus.  If FRA wins PSO after scoreless tie, then MezLove wins Bonus.  But every goal scored in final will change who is in pole position.

5' - Woke up in time to see ARG get a long strike that was saved.  ARG being aggressive which is good to see.

Third Top 3 (12/17)

CERRITOS, CA - 2F-Croatia and 1F-Morocco played a very entertaining first half before wearing out in the second half as CRO held on to their 2-1 halftime lead to win their second 3rd place finish ('98) to go along with 2014's second-place finish.  A couple of header goals by each team before the ten-minute mark set the pace.  The final CRO goal was a perfectly placed strike that went off the right post and into the net.  The sad thing is we didn't get to see MAR's coach Walid Regragui get tossed in the air by his players one last time.  So it remains the only non-European/South American team to finish in the top 3 is --- USA in 1930 (only retroactively placed in 1986 by FIFA, with better GD over other semifinal loser YUG).

So the closest related jersey I had, to support MAR and Africa's first semifinalist, is my 2010 South Africa away jersey where I wore to take a pic of the pink sushi statue outside Magic Touch Bullet Train sushi restaurant, one of the very few places where the prices on Uber Eats (pickup) is the same as the menu price.  The only bad thing is that any specials do not show up in the app, but those are few and far between.

Slight Possibility Correction

 Slight correction to Unlucky's tiebreaker possibility below:

If ARGENTINA beats FRANCE in Final…
1st	Soccerbix	137
2nd-Tied	KevLo	134	Tie:	4.5	Wins 2nd if <=6, 3rd if >=7
2nd-Tied	SoccerWife	134	Tie:	8.0	Wins 3rd if <=6, 2nd if >=7
4th-Tied	Unlucky	133	Tie:	6.0	Wins 4th if <=7, 5th if 8
4th-Tied	Merman	133	Tie:	8.5	Wins 5th if <=7, 4th if =8, 5th if >=9
4th-Tied	AC in Doha	133	Tie:	9.0	Wins 5th if =8, 4th if >=9
If FRANCE beats ARGENTINA in Final…
1st	Soccerbix	123
2nd-Tied	2 Goals 1 World Cup	121	Tie:	5.0	Wins 2nd if <=5, 4th if >=6
2nd-Tied	Redhat Dave	121	Tie:	5.5	Wins 3rd if <=5, Tied 2nd if 6, 3rd if >=7
2nd-Tied	Kona Coast Uno	121	Tie:	6.5	Wins 4th if <=5, Tied 2nd if 6, 2nd if >=7
5th-Tied	KevLo	120	Tie:	4.5	Wins 5th if <=6
5th-Tied	SoccerWife	120	Tie:	8.0	Wins 5th if >=7

Issue #10.2.5 "I'm Condemned to Use the Tools of my Enemy to Defeat Them" (Finals Preview & History of Pool)

 Archive

Friday, December 16, 2022
2022 FIFA Men's World Cup Final - Lusail Iconic Stadium - Lusail
 

 
 
1978   |   1986
vs.
  
 

 
1998   |   2018

ARG - La Albiceleste
Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)
Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL)
 

FRA - Les Bleus
Fédération Française de Football (FFF)
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

#3 | C1 | Group C Winners | 4-1-1
6th Final ('30, '78, '86, '90, '14)
C1: Lost #53 Saudi Arabia 1-2
C4: Beat #13 Mexico 2-0
C5: Beat #26 Poland 2-0
R16: Beat #38 2D-Australia 2-1
QF: Beat #8 1A-Netherlands 2-2 (4-3 PSO)
SF: Beat #12 2F-Croatia 3-0
 

#4 | D1 | Group D Winners | 5-1-0
4th Finals ('98, '06, '18)
D1: Beat #38 Australia 4-1
D4: Beat #10 Denmark 2-1
D6: Lost #30 Tunisia 0-1
R16: Beat #26 2C-Poland 3-1
QF: Beat #5 1B-England 2-1
SF: Beat #22 1F-Morocco 2-0

 

FAVORITES OUTSMART UNDERDOGS

Which three will join Soccerbix, KevLo and/or SoccerWife in money

CYPRESS, CA (smt) -- Underdogs and Cinderellas were creating havoc in the tournament but then the favorites wised up and played their game, using the tools of their enemy to ultimately defeat them.  1F-Morocco had not had more than 37% possession in any of their five matches but 1D-France allowed MAR to have the ball (55% possession) and while MAR had excelled on counter-attacks in previous matches, this time it was FRA who  picked their spots to apply pressure in the box as deflected shots led to both goals in their 2-0 semifinal win.  1C-Argentina who had jumped to a 2-0 lead in their 5th straight match, did not want to give up goals like they did in the past two matches, and conceded possession to 2G-Croatia (54%), playing CRO's game, and eventually found a back-breaking 3rd goal to win 3-0.  Both MAR (who had defensive injuries which hampered them) and CRO should have been content to play for a 0-0 draw or an opportunistic goal here and there, but FRA and ARG turned the tables and baited them into taking the possession which FRA and ARG capitalized on.

Issue #9.2.4 "Power Doesn't Panic" (After Semifinals)

Archive

Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Dailies: 13-14 ]

SOCCER POWERS REMOVE DOUBT
Soccerbix wins the pool! 8 entries still alive for final 4 money spots; 32 can win Bonus

HOME (smt) -- The soccer powers have been threatened all tournament long, with E1-Germany and F1-Belgium exiting in the group stage and knockout round upsets of 1G-Brazil and 2E-Spain.  But power doesn't panic.  1C-Argentina built up their 5th straight 2-0 lead but this time they not only held on to it, but added the back-breaking 3rd goal to squash upstart 2F-Croatia, 3-0.  Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi were involved in all 3 goals (Alvarez drew PK & Messi converted PK; Messi touch (no official assist) & Alvarez long run for goal; Messi magic dribbling and pass to Alvarez for goal). 

1D-France quickly broke 1F-Morocco's impressive play of never trailing nor allowing an opponent to score in the 5th minute and did something they haven't done yet in the WC, pitch a shutout, winning 2-0.  The two soccer powers will face each other in the Final and will feature two superstars of Paris Saint-Germain - ARG's Messi and FRA's Kylian Mbappé.  Maybe a repeat of the wild 2018 Round of 16 match won by FRA 4-3 on 19-year old Mbappé's brace.

The crowd was very pro-MAR and they have gotten support from a lot of neutrals around the world including Israel, which had a great newspaper cover showing their support.  Interestingly, MAR played more attacking and fun soccer after giving up the goal but could not get the tying goal before FRA added a 2nd in the 79'.  For a team that never had more than 37% possession in any match (and less than 23% in the past two), MAR had 56% possession and took 15 shots (though just 1 on goal - the bicycle kick was tipped by GK but would've hit the left post anyway so not a shot on goal).

With FRA's win, this secured the pool for Soccerbix who leads with 123 points.  It's Soccerbix's 2nd title after winning the inaugural one in 1998 as Le Bix.  12 got both FRA and ARG and 8 of those are the top 8 in the standings (and all 8 have picked ARG as their champion).  Soccerbix has a 16-point cushion over those who have FRA as their champion (2 Goals 1 World Cup, Kona Coast Uno, and Redhat Dave (17th-Tied, 107)) so if FRA wins, the 14 points will not dethrone him.  Those 3, if FRA wins, will knock AC in Doha, Merman, and Unlucky (4th-T, 119) from the money spots.  KevLo and SoccerWife are tied for 2nd (120) but will fall for a tie for 5th if FRA wins (and 1 of those 2 will leave empty-handed).  For the final, 31 have ARG and 9 FRA as their champ (I wonder how many more would pick FRA if they did not have all those injuries prior to the start of the WC).

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.

FFB 6.2 - Foster's Futbol Brew 12.13.22.1

Foster's Futbol Brew 12.13.22.1

Argentines at home and abroad have their stomachs in knots this morning.  It's as if they drank this bad batch of Foster's Football Brew.

Google says Argentina has a 61% chance to win this semifinal game vs. Croatia.  Oddsmakers at various casinos and online sports betting sites are also leaning steadily toward La Albiceleste.  I have to scratch my head as to who should be favored; I think Croatia may have a slight edge.  Let's take look at the Pro's & Con's on why either team should advance to the finals or go home in defeat:

ARG Con's:

-Lost to SAUDI ARABIA.  That still sticks with every player on the pitch that took a shot or didn't clear the ball on defense when scored against by SAUDI ARABIA.

-Starting every game anxiously since losing to Saudi Arabia- they don't hold their nerve as well as CRO, and it's been evident in the first 25-30 minutes of the four games ARG won

-Knowing they lost bad to CRO in 2019

-Without regular starting left wingback Acuna due to two yellow cards.  That hurts on both offense and defense.

-Messi's Last Stand- did I mention the nerves?  Messi has had some uncharacteristically bad shots on free kicks and from open play whenever he tries to aim for the "top shelf"... sailing too many attempts over the bar (and in some cases wide)

-Unable to hold on to leads, giving up late goals vs. Saudi Arabia, Australia, and The Netherlands

CRO Con's:

-Only scored two goals thus far in 5 games against teams not named Canada

-Third oldest squad at the World Cup at 29.5 years of age, and thus far have played the most minutes of any team at the tourney. Although they could have tired legs, their lack of possession reduces the impact of these extra minutes.

-A poor run in 2020-2021 UEFA Nations League and not-so-great run at the 2020 Euro Finals (took place in 2021) reflects lackluster recent major tournament performance where the team "looked old"

Issue #8.2.3 "There Will Be Times When the Struggle Seems Impossible" (Semifinal Preview & Bonus Details)

Archive

Monday, December 12, 2022

First Semifinal - Lusail			Second Semifinal - Al Khor
ARG - La Albiceleste Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA)	CRO - Vatreni (Blazers) Hrvatski Nogometni Savez (HNS)		FRA - Les Blues Fédération Française de Football (FFF)	MAR - Ousud Al-atlas (The Atlas Lions) Fédérarion Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
#3 | C1 | Group C Winners | 3-1-1 6th Semifinals ('30, '78, '86, '90, '14) C1: Lost #53 Saudi Arabia 1-2 C4: Beat #13 Mexico 2-0 C5: Beat #26 Poland 2-0 R16: Beat #38 2D-Australia 2-1 QF: Beat #8 1A-Netherlands 2-2 (4-3 PSO)	#12 | F4 | Group F Runners-Up | 1-0-4 3rd Semifinals ('98, '18) F1: Tied #22 Morocco 0-0 F4: Beat #41 Canada 4-1 F5: Tied #2 Belgium 0-0 R16: Beat #24 1E-Japan 1-1 (3-1 PSO) QF: Beat #1 1G-Brazil 1-1 (4-2 PSO)		#4 | D1 | Group D Winners | 4-1-0 7th Semifinals ('58, '82, '86, '98, '06, '18) D1: Beat #38 Australia 4-1 D4: Beat #10 Denmark 2-1 D6: Lost #30 Tunisia 0-1 R16: Beat #26 2C-Poland 3-1 QF: Beat #5 1B-England 2-1	#22 | F3 | Group F Winners | 3-0-2 1st Semifinals F1: Tied #12 Croatia 0-0 F3: Beat #1 Belgium 2-0 F6: Beat #41 Canada 2-1 R16: Beat #7 2E-Spain 0-0 (3-0 PSO) QF: Beat #9 1H-Portugal 1-0

CROATIA IS RANKED #12 IN THE WORLD, YOU KNOW
16 entries fighting for remaining 4 money spots; Bonus keeps another 69 entries with hope

FISHBAR IN MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (smt) -- 2F-Croatia has less wins in this WC than teams like 1E-Japan and 2D-Australia and yet, thanks to four draws, are a step away from their second straight final.  They are the #12 team in the world and yet are lumped with 1F-Morocco as impossible party crashers.  Ironically, CRO and MAR are the only 2 semifinalists who have not lost a match yet (1A-Netherlands is the only other team without an official loss (lost in PSO)).  CRO have beaten the #1  (1G-Brazil) and #2 (F1-Belgium) teams in the world, and in order to win their first WC, they will have to beat #3 1C-Argentina and then potentially #4 1D-France.  Their struggle is real though, as they have played 2 scoreless draws and 4 of their 6 goals were against F2-Canada.

MAR is ranked decently at #22 (not #53 like C2-Saudi Arabia who beat ARG), are on a 10-match unbeaten streak (last loss to 2B-USA), and have only conceded one goal (an own goal) but are still huge underdogs (9:1 to win the WC).  FRA (~1:1 to win WC) could have underestimated MAR but close relations (several players born in France play for Morocco as well as their coach; several MAR players play in FRA's Ligue 1; as well as MAR was once a colony of FRA) should make FRA more cautious than #1 BEL (lost 2-0), #7 Spain (lost 3-0 in penalty shootout), and #9 Portugal (lost 1-0) who were all ousted by this team.  Morocco has also bid many times to host the WC (losing in '94, '98, '06, '10, and '26) and maybe winning the WC could give them a boost (I mean, if tiny Qatar can host one...). 

As an aside, Morocco used to have the abbreviation MOR (used for the 1998 World Cup) but around 2000, it changed to its French name (Maroc) and the abbreviation became MAR.  Same for Spain, which is ESP but not for its Spanish name España, but for its French (Espagne).  English and French are traditional languages for FIFA (whose acronym is based on French title) but its official language list just included Arabic, Portuguese, and Russian (in addition to German and Spanish) in June 2022.

Issue #7.2.2 "So Fat and Satisfied, They Can't Imagine It" (After Quarterfinals)

Archive

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Dailies: 9-10  

HEAVY FAVORITES BRAZIL & PORTUGAL STUNNED, ARGENTINA SURVIVES
Indy Ari leads but it's Soccerbix who has clinched money; 16 entries still alive and 6 can win the pool

HOME (smt) -- While nothing is a guarantee, 1G-Brazil and 1H-Portugal were coming off blow-outs where both teams were dancing and smiling heading into the quarterfinals as both thought they had the tourney now figured out (BRA just doing choreographed dances after every goal and POR benching Ronaldo).  When BRA went up 1-0 at the end of first half extra time on Neymar's beauty of a goal, BRA celebrated as if they had won and their second half of extra time was very disjointed.  2F-Croatia capitalized on their only shot on goal in the 117' to stop the dancing and in the penalty shootout, CRO made all 4 to win 4-2.

POR had lots of possession but was stunted by a stingy 1F-Morocco team and a late first half goal was all MAR needed to hold off Ronaldo (who came on as a sub) and team, 1-0.  What is cool is that MAR is now the de facto home team as the Arab powerhouse replacing host QAT, who finished #32 of 32 teams in this WC.

After Lionel Messi scored on on a PK in the 73' to put 1C-Argentina up 2-0 against a 1A-Netherlands team that didn't even have a shot on goal, ARG fans were celebrating.  But in a foul-marred match (18 yellows but only 12 in the field of play), NED pulled one back in the 78' and on potentially the very last play in the 90'+11', NED pulled a trick free kick play that was put in to tie it at 2.  Unlike BRA, ARG actually tried to win the game in extra time and when that was scoreless, came alive in the PSO to hold off NED 4-3. 

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.  

Issue #6.2.1 "That Would Be Me" (After Round of 16)

 Archive

Wednesday, December 7, 2022  ***NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY***

IT'S THE USUAL SUSPECTS BUT MOROCCO CUTS IN LINE
Five tied for 1st; 57 entries still alive and 21 can win the pool

HILTON AT THE BALLPARK, SAINT LOUIS, MO (smt) -- After a fun and crazy group stage that saw teams like 1E-Japan and 1F-Morocco win their groups and four-time champion E3-Germany,  two-time champion (4 if you include pre-WC Olympic titles) H3-Uruguay, and #2 F1-Belgium eliminated, the Round of 16 was shaping up to be a Europe/South America vs North America/Africa/Asia competition.  But the soccer powers rose in stature but there would be one team that defied the odds to make the Quarterfinals.  That would be MAR. 

While favorites 1A-Netherlands (3-1 over 2B-USA - where USA had more possession and shots, but couldn't finish while NED were precision strikes), 1G-Brazil (4-1 over 2H-Korea Rep - Neymar returning for a PK goal), 1B-England (3-0 over 2A-Senegal), 1D-France (3-1 over 2C-Poland - Kylian Mbappe getting his 2nd brace), and 1H-Portugal (6-1 over 2G-Swiss - Goncalo Ramos netting the tourney's 1st hat trick) all rode multi-goal easy victories and 1C-Argentina controlling a 2-1 win over 2D-Australia (where ARG scored for AUS, the tourney's 3rd own goal), you would expect 2E-Spain to have an easy time over MAR.  Even 2018 runner-up 2F-Croatia was able to keep European power in play easily winning in the penalty shootout 3-1 (1-1 draw) over JPN thanks to GK Dominik Lilakovic's three (3!) PK saves.

ESP nearly had 1,000 completed passes and yet just had one shot on goal as MAR battled them to a 0-0 tie after extra time, the tourney's 7th nil-nil draw.  In penalties, MAR GK Yassine Bounou saved 2 PKs and went the right way on another (where ESP hit the right post) to help his team seal a 3-0 PSO win, the last goal by Achraf Hakimi, born in Spain, with a hard panenka down the middle. 

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.