Tag: World Cup

  • World Cup Dispatch (UPDATE): Argentina v Croatia

    Here we are. Messi is just one win away from making it to the Final of the World Cup. Not that I’m getting ahead of ourselves here, as there is a very good Croatian team standing in his way. And I already have given Argentina the kiss of death by picking them, so sorry about that. If it goes to penalties, then my money is on Croatia.

    I will say this about Messi, there isn’t much push back about him winning the Cup. Maybe from the Dutch, but outside of them, Messi seems to carry good favor from around the world. That’s pretty impressive in this day and age. Seems like there is always a group of haters for any public figure, no matter who they are. But not Messi. I could be wrong, but I’m not seeing it. Good for him.

    I will find myself again on the sofa watching this match. I don’t have anything riding on it, as now I’m just watching the Cup to it’s conclusion. I came this far , I might as well see it to the end.

    You know.

    UPDATE: Hey! I do know something! Argentina is going to the final. And did you see that assist Messi had for their third goal? That was impressive. And that team earned it, as that was a solid performance from start to finish. Not the most exciting match of the tournament, but if you want to win the World Cup, that’s how you have to play.

    (I think I’m going to stop asking people to like my blog. I noticed that my likes have dropped off a cliff since I started doing this. So, I’m just going to respect your space.)

  • 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: Past Weekend, and Today (Unedited)

    I caught a pretty awful chest cold over the weekend. I started feeling better today, so I’m going to try to catch up on this weekend’s matches, and what is going on today.

    Poor Team USA. I had a feeling that the Dutch would be a bridge too far for them, but I had to keep hope alive; This Cup seems to be about underdogs fighting to get the win. But the Netherlands are the Netherlands, which is the best team out there that has never won the Cup. The USMNT is a very young group, so I know that they will stick together, especially with the 2026 Cup being held here in America/Canada/Mexico.

    Did anyone doubt Argentina would win? Messi wants that trophy.

    France looks really good as well. They never seemed to not be in control in their match against Poland.

    As for England, it took them a bit to get started. For the first 35 minutes of that match, I thought Senegal had a chance to take it. And then all of a sudden, England remembered they were England, and started playing like it.

    And then there was today, were I just felt awful for Japan. No one likes going out on Penalty Kicks, but I really thought Japan was going to pull it off.

    And then there is Brazil that is just trouncing Korea right now. Talk about sending a statement. As of now it’s 4-0, and it’s not even half time. I had to turn it off.

    Ung… still not feeling well. I think I’m going to lay down for a bit.

    (And uh… If you, you know, like this thing that I do, please give it a like, and I’m going to take some DayQuil.)