On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:00:27 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
>
> > USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
> They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.

Wales have come out with some intent in the second. US needs the second on the counter.

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:17:22 PM UTC-5, alka...@hotmail.com wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:00:27 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> >
> > > USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
> > They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.
> Wales have come out with some intent in the second. US needs the second on the counter.

Fun match right now

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:27:36 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:17:22 PM UTC-5, alka...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:00:27 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> > >
> > > > USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
> > > They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.
> > Wales have come out with some intent in the second. US needs the second on the counter.
> Fun match right now

Bale, penal. 1-1

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:42:45 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:27:36 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:17:22 PM UTC-5, alka...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:00:27 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
> > > > They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.
> > > Wales have come out with some intent in the second. US needs the second on the counter.
> > Fun match right now
> Bale, penal. 1-1

Sucks. Price of profligacy.

US crossing has been abysmal. Poor ball after poor ball, after good build up play.

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:42:45 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > Fun match right now
> Bale, penal. 1-1

9 minutes added time. Dare I say it? This is good from FIFA

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:52:50 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:42:45 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > > Fun match right now
> > Bale, penal. 1-1
> 9 minutes added time. Dare I say it? This is good from FIFA

No ay tiempo para mas! 1-1
(Yes, I'm watching the matches on Telemundo)

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:00:27 PM UTC-6, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
>
> > USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
> They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.
Oh yeah? how many European teams has the US beaten in the World Cup in the last 25 years?

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:42:45 PM UTC-6, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:27:36 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:17:22 PM UTC-5, alka...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:00:27 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> > > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
> > > > They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.
> > > Wales have come out with some intent in the second. US needs the second on the counter.
> > Fun match right now
> Bale, penal. 1-1
That was a pretty dumb penalty to give. Bale wasn't even facing the goal.

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 4:10:28 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:

> Oh yeah? how many European teams has the US beaten in the World Cup in the last 25 years?

1998: Finished last in a group with Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia
2002: qualified to 2nd round ahead ahead of Portugal and Poland (beat Portugal, lost to Poland)
2006: finished last in a group with Italy and Czech Republic
2010: qualified to 2nd round ahead of Slovenia
2014: qualified to 2nd round ahead of Portugal
2018: did not qualify

yeah, that's about typical of a lower-ranked European team like Wales, maybe even a tad better.

In fact, most models and bookmaker odds had the US as the second most likely team to advance out of Group B.

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:20:59 PM UTC-6, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 4:10:28 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
>
> > Oh yeah? how many European teams has the US beaten in the World Cup in the last 25 years?
> 1998: Finished last in a group with Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia
> 2002: qualified to 2nd round ahead ahead of Portugal and Poland (beat Portugal, lost to Poland)
> 2006: finished last in a group with Italy and Czech Republic
> 2010: qualified to 2nd round ahead of Slovenia
> 2014: qualified to 2nd round ahead of Portugal
> 2018: did not qualify
>
> yeah, that's about typical of a lower-ranked European team like Wales, maybe even a tad better.
>
> In fact, most models and bookmaker odds had the US as the second most likely team to advance out of Group B.
Sorry my question was different... how many times has the US BEATEN an European team... Not talking about advancing... they most of the time find a way to advance... that is not the point. The one time they defeated a European team was in 2002 against Portugal (it was a huge shock). Is that about it? Let me look it up.

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 6:04:27 PM UTC, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11:17:41 AM UTC-6, Real Mardin wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 4:58:39 PM UTC, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:15:04 AM UTC-6, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:42:48 PM UTC, Blueshirt wrote:
> > > > > KaiserD2 wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > England look great.
> > > > >
> > > > > Iran look very poor though.
> > > > Trumpets are playing in Senegal v Netherlands! Finally feels like the World Cup is starting!
> > > >
> > > > RM
> > > Netherlands has been piss poor. The first two games were interesting. This game blows.
> > ??? The first two games were non events in terms of being evenly contested, this one so far has been well contested by both sides and is in the balance. Surely this is the more interesting match?
> >
> >
> > RM
> Yes because both the teams were evenly shite. You honestly think either teams have a chance winning WC? How many shots > on goal? How many real chances. Senegal cannot finish. They deserve to lose. Yes the first two matches were not
> competitive but at least it had some drama and thrill factor. This had nothing going on until the 1st goal.

I fail to see what is dramatic or thrilling about Ecuador practically playing an entire game in Qatar's half like some long attack v defence exercise or about England sweeping Iran aside 6-2.

There was plenty of competitive action going on in Senegal v Netherlands before the first goal. Football isn't just about the goals, sometimes the journey toward the goals is just as compelling.

RM

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 3:37:44 PM UTC-6, Real Mardin wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 6:04:27 PM UTC, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 11:17:41 AM UTC-6, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 4:58:39 PM UTC, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> > > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:15:04 AM UTC-6, Real Mardin wrote:
> > > > > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:42:48 PM UTC, Blueshirt wrote:
> > > > > > KaiserD2 wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > England look great.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Iran look very poor though.
> > > > > Trumpets are playing in Senegal v Netherlands! Finally feels like the World Cup is starting!
> > > > >
> > > > > RM
> > > > Netherlands has been piss poor. The first two games were interesting. This game blows.
> > > ??? The first two games were non events in terms of being evenly contested, this one so far has been well contested by both sides and is in the balance. Surely this is the more interesting match?
> > >
> > >
> > > RM
> > Yes because both the teams were evenly shite. You honestly think either teams have a chance winning WC? How many shots > on goal? How many real chances. Senegal cannot finish. They deserve to lose. Yes the first two matches were not
> > competitive but at least it had some drama and thrill factor. This had nothing going on until the 1st goal.
> I fail to see what is dramatic or thrilling about Ecuador practically playing an entire game in Qatar's half like some long attack v defence exercise or about England sweeping Iran aside 6-2.
>
> There was plenty of competitive action going on in Senegal v Netherlands before the first goal.

Yeah it was competitive... not arguing that... but there were zippo chances for goal from both sides... most of the shots on goals were easily saveable... it was boring until the goal happened. In fact it was pretty much boring throughout.

>Football isn't just about the goals, '
Yeah I know that... a well fought 1-0 or even a 0-0 can be far more entertaining than a 4-3
>sometimes the journey toward the goals is just as compelling.
>
In this case it was not... but teams were just kicking the ball around with little imagination or creativity. This wasn't a Brazil-Belgium of 2018 or Germany-France of 2014.

> RM

On 2022-11-21 12:53, Al Kamista wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:41:53 PM UTC-5, Al Kamista wrote:
>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:41:12 PM UTC-5, Al Kamista wrote:
>>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:28:07 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
>>>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 1:18:21 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
>>>>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 8:42:48 AM UTC-6, Blueshirt wrote:
>>>>>> KaiserD2 wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> England look great.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Iran look very poor though.
>>>>> They looked like they were not in the game. Once they went 1-0 their mind went elsewhere. Also they played too defensive... that kind of stuff doesn't work these days. They are not 90/00s Italy to pull that off for 90 min.
>>>> Bright start from USA, but still 0-0
>>> 1-0 US of A
>>>
>>> USA! USA!
>> Benzema or Kane would have been proud of that finish by Weah.
>
> 1-0 HT
>
> US has been very impressive. Look like a proper football team.
>
> The Qatari referee is so out of his depth that it's not even funny. Being sold yellow cards like it's a Black Friday sale. If USA and Wales can do this to him, I can't imagine what the South Americans and Iberians will do it him.

The only yellow card I had a serious issue with in that game was the one
to Bale. Still, Wales ahead on the yellow card tie-break now. That
might prove important.

On 2022-11-21 13:00, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:53:52 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
>
>> USA is doing well but what the hell is wrong with Wales... how did they qualify out of Europe? Is USA better than second tier European teams now?
>
> They pretty much have been at least as good as 2nd tier European teams for the past 25 years: sometimes they qualify to the second round, sometimes they don't.
>
The difficulty of course is deciding which European teams are second
tier. Not making the second round in 2010: France, Italy 2014: Spain,
Italy, England. in 2018 Germany - Not even qualifying: Italy and
Netherlands (2018), Belgium (2010)

On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 6:58:20 PM UTC-5, MH wrote:
> On 2022-11-21 12:53, Al Kamista wrote:
> > On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:41:53 PM UTC-5, Al Kamista wrote:
> >> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:41:12 PM UTC-5, Al Kamista wrote:
> >>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2:28:07 PM UTC-5, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> >>>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 1:18:21 PM UTC-5, LedZep IgaSwanTech wrote:
> >>>>> On Monday, November 21, 2022 at 8:42:48 AM UTC-6, Blueshirt wrote:
> >>>>>> KaiserD2 wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> England look great.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Iran look very poor though.
> >>>>> They looked like they were not in the game. Once they went 1-0 their mind went elsewhere. Also they played too defensive... that kind of stuff doesn't work these days. They are not 90/00s Italy to pull that off for 90 min.
> >>>> Bright start from USA, but still 0-0
> >>> 1-0 US of A
> >>>
> >>> USA! USA!
> >> Benzema or Kane would have been proud of that finish by Weah.
> >
> > 1-0 HT
> >
> > US has been very impressive. Look like a proper football team.
> >
> > The Qatari referee is so out of his depth that it's not even funny. Being sold yellow cards like it's a Black Friday sale. If USA and Wales can do this to him, I can't imagine what the South Americans and Iberians will do it him.
> The only yellow card I had a serious issue with in that game was the one
> to Bale. Still, Wales ahead on the yellow card tie-break now. That
> might prove important.

The first one on Dest was also over the top. I think he realized at some point that he needs to tone down his card fever, after which he neglected to give a nailed on one to Harry Wilson (who deliberately hacked a player down on a counter).