Tag: Portugal

  • World Cup Dispatch: The Past Weekend

    Out of my four predictions I made on Friday, I only got one right; Argentina. I honestly didn’t think Brazil would lose. And as for Morocco, I didn’t even watch the match, except for the final five minutes when I looked at the score. (Shame on me for that one.) I said I liked it when the underdogs won, and Morocco is out there proving everyone wrong. And poor England, just couldn’t get it together when it counted.

    I wanted drama and I got it. Penalty kicks for the win, strong defenses, missed opportunities, and dreams dashed. I don’t know why Brazil didn’t let Neymar take the first kick. I hope Argentina’s goalie becomes a national hero. Morocco is proving that a great defense is still the best offense. And you have to capitalize on your opportunities when they prevent themselves. Sure, Kane should have made that penalty kick, but England had at least three good chances to score, and just couldn’t find the back of the net.

    The semifinal is set, and wouldn’t it be so odd if the final was a rematch between Croatia and France? I think the sentimental favorite is for Argentina to go to the final, so Messi can earn the swan song he so desperately wants. But, don’t count Morocco out just yet. France is a very good team, but Morocco has beat better teams this Cup. And France looked venerable against England.

    But, I will make my wildly incorrect prediction for the Final; Argentina v France.

    Alright world, go prove me wrong.

    (If you like my blog, I’ll like yours!)

  • Wold Cup Dispatch(UPDATE): The Quarterfinals, Day 1

    After a couple of days off, we are back with the first round of the Quarterfinals! It’s a pretty exciting group of teams. You got six former champions, one finalist at the last Cup, and a Cinderella. You have players at the twilight of their careers with one last chance for Cup glory, cementing their status in the Pantheon of legends. You have long standing rivalries, historical conflicts, and one team representing an entire continent and region.

    Drama! Drama! Drama!

    And I do really despise that I’m enjoying this Cup, which is being presented by a corrupt organization, in an authoritarian nation. I feel the evil Caesars of history are asking me, “Are you not entertained?!?”

    Yes, but love is love, and women’s rights are human rights. And I do hope the 2026 Cup puts Rainbow flags on every thing!

    As for the matches, I don’t think Croatia can stop Brazil, who is dancing their way to the semifinals. Netherland v Argentina is a pretty even match up, but I’m going with team Messi on this one. Morocco v Portugal is going to be the heartbreaker match. I love the underdog, but with the way Portugal played last match, I don’t see them losing. And that gets to the match I am really looking forward to: England v France. This one is like a heavyweight fight; two teams slugging it out! Both have superstar goal scorers and deep benches. What I would hate to see is it go to penalties, because France will win. Ung…. C’mon England!

    Alright, let’s have some fun today!

    UPDATE: so… I got that whole “dancing their way to the semifinals” thing with Brazil totally wrong.

    (And, if I may ask; have you enjoyed my nonprofessional perspective and slightly humorous post? If the answer is yes, or an ironic “meh” then feel free to give the blog a like. So, you know, whatever…)

  • World Cup Dispatch(UPDATE): Today’s Matches 12/6/ 22

    I still feel bad for Korea. Man, Brazil is out to punish anyone who gets in their way.

    Anyway, today’s matches… Morocco v Spain, and Portugal v Switzerland. So, I’m still feeling pretty sick, and my wife is now under the weather as well, so I haven’t had any time to read up on these games. All I got is gut feeling so here we go…

    I’m going with Spain, as they have looked solid when I watched them in the group stage, and since my uncle lived in Madrid, I feel a connection, and uhh… there you go.

    Portugal v Switzerland should be really exciting, but I’m going to go with Portugal on this one. Not a fan of Ronaldo, but like Messi, this could be his last Cup, and as such, I see him digging deep to win.

    Which sets up The Battle for the Iberian!

    Best of luck, everyone.

    UPDATE: I feel good that Morocco won that match! I like it when the underdogs prevail! And that Morocco squad looked like the most confident group of players I’ve ever seen handling Penalties. They weren’t cocky, just confident like they knew they would win. That was awesome!

    (I have a blog and if you read this far you hate it too much. Be a pal, and give it a like. It will help me get over my cold.)

  • World Cup Dispatch: Today’s Matches 12/2/22

    We are entering into the final day of the group stage, and I’m a little sad to see it come to an end. The matches over the last couple of days have been exciting, dramatic and decisive.

    In Group G, the always good Brazil is guaranteed to move on, so I don’t see them playing Cameroon too hard. Serbia v Switzerland could be exciting as the winner of that match should advance.

    Group H is pretty much in the same situation, with Portugal having already secured advancement. I was pulling for South Korea, and they have a chance, but to advance they have to beat Portugal. Yesterday, I would have said that was impossible… but… my honest gut feeling is that Ghana will take second in the group.

    I’m ready to be proved wrong, though, on all accounts. That’s what makes this fun!

    (You know what else is fun? You reading this blog. And if that’s true, please, give it a like.)

  • World Cup Dispatch: Portugal v Uruguay

    Clearly, I have no idea what I’m talking about. I thought Uruguay could pull it out, but I was wrong.

    Portugal, Brazil, and France look like the three teams that came to win. And at the same time, I think we all expected that this would be the outcome. Some things I guess do stay the same.