World Cup Quarterfinal Day 2: Morocco/Portugal & England/France

[DJnVa]

There's no way these games can live up to the ones we just watched right? It's like during March Madness when there's a set of games with buzzer beaters and upsets and then the evening set of games comes on and it's just Kansas drilling someone from the MEAC 75-49. But we shall see!

10 am: Morocco vs. Portugal--no one is rooting for Portugal right? If Ronaldo is on the bench even he is probably pulling for Morocco. Portugal is a favorite here (-140 to win, -320 to advance) but screw that, it's Morocco all the way. The Atlas Lions aren't just here to get a participation trophy. Morocco 2-1.

2 pm: England vs. France--I mean, I guess this is a pretty big game. France is the favorite here (+150, -130) but man, that's pretty effing close. France has been pretty amazing so far, and England has been pretty good, outside of the US game. These teams have been scoring goals and though I love him, Lloris can be shaky at times. England is going to press and press this game and I hate to say it, but I think Lloris bungles one early, England gets out in front, and holds off a late French charge. Kane gets one, Callum Wilson another, Mbappe pulls one back, but that's all, it'll be 2-1 to the Three Lions.

 

[Kliq]

Everyone seems to know the score
They've seen it all before
They just know
They're so sure

 

[OCST]

Portugal is not even going to try to accommodate CR7 which will free them of their emotional burden. We will see Portugal’s best performance of the tournament.

I think Morocco *can* hang with them but it’s going to be tough. Heard a good piece on NPR about the whole Arab world getting behind Morocco. It’s a huge huge deal. Will that be more inspirational or is it crushing pressure?

 

[singaporesoxfan]

Portugal is not even going to try to accommodate CR7 which will free them of their emotional burden. We will see Portugal’s best performance of the tournament.

I think Morocco *can* hang with them but it’s going to be tough. Heard a good piece on NPR about the whole Arab world getting behind Morocco. It’s a huge huge deal. Will that be more inspirational or is it crushing pressure?

I don’t doubt Portugal has a good shot but you think they will outdo that beat down of Switzerland?

 

[OCST]

I don’t doubt Portugal has a good shot but you think they will outdo that beat down of Switzerland?

You know, that was one of the few games that I didn't really see; guess I wasn't thinking about that one.

 

[OCST]

I know I'm going to be doing a triple-take all through this one on the kits. I keep thinking Morocco is Portugal.

 

[ifmanis5]

I know I'm going to be doing a triple-take all through this one on the kits. I keep thinking Morocco is Portugal.

Same. They also have a long sleeve #7 player.

 

[cshea]

I just realized Portugal was in white.

 

[ifmanis5]

Gotta do better with that header.

 

[McBride11]

I know I'm going to be doing a triple-take all through this one on the kits. I keep thinking Morocco is Portugal.

Haha. I was just about to type this.

How, at this stage, do they determine who gets primary kits?

 

[ifmanis5]

Haha. I was just about to type this.

How, at this stage, do they determine who gets primary kits?

The designated home team gets to choose the kit. Good article here: https://theathletic.com/3934239/2022/11/25/england-usa-usmnt-blue-kits-world-cup/

 

[McBride11]

The designated home team gets to choose the kit. Good article here: https://theathletic.com/3934239/2022/11/25/england-usa-usmnt-blue-kits-world-cup/

Right. Okay. But how are they determining ‘home team’ at this stage? Both Mar and Por won group stage. Same with Eng Fra. Im guessing the latter wont be red - blue due to color blindness concerns.

 

[67YAZ]

Ziyech snatched at a half chance. He needs to be more patient or incisive.

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

Same. They also have a long sleeve #7 player.

And their #7 actually makes it onto the pitch.

 

[Ed Hillel]

That was clearly a corner, not sure what the refs saw

 

[teddykgb]

I’ve been critical of Santos but he’s played a really attacking team here and benched Ronaldo which is the right move but a risk. I’m still not happy with how much of a 433 this is — Felix is too wide left and Fernandes wide right but I can’t complain he was too defensive.

Morocco seem content to leave Guerreiro as the free man. Santos really should bring Cancelo into that position if that’s how they want to play

 

[McBride11]

Mar is playing really well

 

[Ed Hillel]

Wtf is this crowd doing?

 

[DJnVa]

Right. Okay. But how are they determining ‘home team’ at this stage? Both Mar and Por won group stage. Same with Eng Fra. Im guessing the latter wont be red - blue due to color blindness concerns.

It's all done before the tourney I believe. Winner of R16 Game 8 is home team in Quarterfinal 2, etc.

 

[67YAZ]

Felix hit that one sweetly.

 

[67YAZ]

Too eager there. Lean over it!

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

Morocco is so disciplined and great at keeping their shape so far. They’ve gotten some chances but the finishing hasn’t been there.

 

[67YAZ]

Morocco have grown into this match. They know they can go to toe to toe right now.

 

[ifmanis5]

It's all done before the tourney I believe. Winner of R16 Game 8 is home team in Quarterfinal 2, etc.

Exactly, FIFA sets up the brackets in advance and the winners slot into the predetermined designations.

 

[ifmanis5]

OMG it went in!

 

[speedracer]

looooool

 

[canderson]

Wow that came out of nowhere!

 

[67YAZ]

Oh my my!!!!!

 

[Ed Hillel]

Lololol

 

[blueguitar322]

MOROCCO!!

 

[67YAZ]

He was a mile up in the air. What a leap!

 

[ypioca]

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[HowBoutDemSox]

He got sky high there and just headed it down, wow!

 

[Ed Hillel]

I thought everyone missed it live and it just bounced in.

 

[67YAZ]

I don’t think Bruno was shooting that but close.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Oh wow

 

[speedracer]

just boot the ball into the stands lads, you don’t want to concede now

 

[candylandriots]

You know, that was one of the few games that I didn't really see; guess I wasn't thinking about that one.

Lucky you.

 

[67YAZ]

Oh he was going at goal! Cheeky

 

[ifmanis5]

Bad hit, should have done better there.

 

[Ed Hillel]

That might be a PK

 

[blueguitar322]

Portugal starting to go to ground easily...

 

[McBride11]

It's all done before the tourney I believe. Winner of R16 Game 8 is home team in Quarterfinal 2, etc.

Exactly, FIFA sets up the brackets in advance and the winners slot into the predetermined designations.

great thanks. The 1a vs 2b is clear. Once you get qf less clear.

ooofff great counter with bad miss

 

[67YAZ]

That was so wasteful. Get it on frame man!

 

[Ed Hillel]

That shoulda been a PK, that’s clear as day.

 

[shawnrbu]

Bruno fouled in the box. No call.

 

[Ed Hillel]

How is there no review?

 

[McBride11]

Also great respect to the Mar team. Arent gooning up or having frequent dives.
The goalie got crushed around 20 min and rollled over and checked on the Por guy.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I mean he was probably going to score and got blatantly tripped.

 

[speedracer]

few shaky moments at the end there, but by and large it’s pretty awesome that Morocco are inviting Portugal to press them because they are confident that they can break it and be off to the races on the other end