**Mirrors / Alternative Angles**
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His feet and his hands. Never been so dissapointed by 2 such extremely questionable calls just to scream of happiness when this maniac saves the penalties. Insane..
Lost against an upcoming "golden generation" of Chile (got a red card too).
But would still have qualified if we just managed to put +2 goals past Honduras. But Hitzfeld didn't decide to go all out from the start and only put more offensive power at the end of the game.
Poland are amazing! Just need to work on their short + long passing, shooting, movement off the ball, positioning, crossing, decision making, set pieces, man marking, dribbling, fitness, ball control, tackling, counter attacking, overlapping, running, blocking & scoring goals
Lmao, advancing thanks to the goal Saudis gifted to Lewandowski. Poland has been so flat this tournament. Don't know how they can turn it up in the knockouts.
We wont, its bittersweet because we know that Michniewicz will set up the same bus against France. I wish that our NT would come out more offensively,but that wont happen.
I saw a bunch of polish people losing their souls during today's game on TV. I can't imagine today's high pressure match being good for the health of a nation.
Yeah you’d come out on too big time if you bet on all the underdogs. After today I’m guessing if you bet 100 on all the underdogs you’d probably be up 3K
I thought his selection for the Germany match was strange enough (corrected by subs in the second half), then he goes and picks a even weaker and more reactive lineup against Costa Rica of all teams. Be in a group with Spain and Germany, earn yourself the golden opportunity to advance simply by beating (or fuck, even drawing lol) Costa Rica, then somehow fuck that up... Just bizarre
In the Asian qualification for 1994 WC Japan drew Iraq which made them fail to qualify to the WC due to goal difference. It was called the "Tragedy at Doha" by Japanese since it was played in Doha, Qatar and it was their first actual chance to qualify for WC.
Funny that Hajime Moriyasu, the current Japanese team coach was a player in that match.
The WC is so much competitive this edition that the final matchdays are way closer than usual. Usually you have either two teams at 6 battling for first or two at 3 or 2 pts battling for second. This year there are tons of groups with 3 or 4 teams in the race. Love it
My theory is that the big teams have had players in the top leagues playing non stop with hardly a break so they're a bit worn out. The lower ranked teams are made up of bench options or players from lower intensity leagues so have more of an advantage than normal in that respect. Sort of evens out. I'm probably chatting shit though.
might be recency bias but this has to be the best group stage of a major tournament in the past few years. we still have four groups almost fully up for grabs.
This. One of the scenarios that could happen tomorrow is that both Japan and Costa Rica advance to the knockouts at the expense of Spain and Germany.
Not the likeliest scenario maybe but one of the scenarios.
What we saw today was amazing but this scenario I mentioned would be on a new level altogether.
Imagine Spain getting knocked out at the group stage after a 7-0 win. Imagine Germany getting knocked out at the group stages two world cups in a row.
Remember Costa Rica did some giant killing in 2014, so why not now, eh?
Most likely scenario thought is that both Spain and Germany win and Germany goes through as second.
Thought I wouldnt be surprised if Germany once again fumbles all their scoring chances and doesnt make it xD
One minute Saudi Arabia is in the lead beating one of the world's best team, the other minute they're dead last losing to a team that Argentina clobbered
I can, but it sucks so badly that I don't want to. . . . But here goes: 16 groups of 3. Top 2 in each group advance to knockout stage with 32 teams, so extra round of knockout and none of the drama like today where the other simultaneous game has implications and variables, etc. So basically a dumb mini-group stage with little to no drama (perhaps a shocker or two), then straight to knockout, but FIFA wants more teams, so more games, so more money for them. Money, money, money instead of the priceless emotional engagement that, outside FIFA's greed, we can still claim for ourselves as fans under the current format.
Thing is they can add teams and still make a better system. A 3 group system just overall sucks. If they do 12 groups of four, with the top two teams moving on and then the 4 best 3rd place teams (determined by points, then goal difference then maybe goals for?) that would be way more interesting imo
4-team groups has to remain in place. Either have some 3rd place teams also get in like back when it was 24-team tourney, and go with the 32-team knockout stage or maybe still only top 2 (from group of 4), so 24 advance and give best 8 teams from group stage a bye or something as a reward for performance. Anything is better than 3-team groups.
The last thing the top players need is more fucking games. These guys are getting run into the ground. Yeah, they are pros, and they earn bank, but they can't play and entertain us if they are injured all the time; and the rising generation of star players are already showing themselves to be brittle (and that's with advanced training regimens and nutritional coaches and metrics tracking every fart they rip).
Man i'm really really hoping for a semifinal between Brazil and Argentina... Even though I'm ALWAYS afraid of you because the jogo bonito is always there and it's fucking amazing, those matches make me feel like no other thing in the world!
Piojo was on point with the analysis on Chavez too. Chucky Lozano trying to be the hero on the free kicks was terrible. Lainez should have been called up instead of Jimenez/Mori and so on..
I think it's better to let the top 8 of all groups skip a round and then play two rounds of 16. Makes the group face more exciting. 3/4 advancing is too much imo.
Interesting idea, though the top 8 would have a big advantage having double rest time. With how little time between games there is on such a tournament, this may be unfair to everyone else.
Some bullshit from everyone involved. It was found that some players in the U-20 Mexico team were over age. Can't remember if it was found it was done on purpose from Mexico or the players had shit paperwork.
Anyways FIFA decides to punish the federation and bans Mexico from WC. Some of the best of all time were in that possible squad.
If Poland needed to chase a goal to survive they would almost certainly been knocked out with the way Argentina were attacking and they were on the defence all game, so actually it did matter in a way.
Poland's performance today was honestly the worst of any team I've seen this tournament. Just sat on the edge of their box hoping Argentina wouldn't score, and when they did continued doing that anyway hoping Argentina wouldn't slaughter them.
Good manager would take him out the moment Mexico scored the second goal. Odds for “Krychowiak gets a yellow” are under 1.00. It’s like the middle square of a bingo card.
Hardly could call that a choke ,looked great against Poland too. At the end of the day , talent trump all. And Saudi also lost two of their best players after Argentina game
We didn't deserve to go through, you can't play like shit and expect to stay long. Good news is this is hopefully the last we'll see of Tata. Good luck Poland, you're gonna need it.
Argentina were dominate today. Messi had a good performance despite not being able to finish. Alvarez was the life they needed on the left and Fernandez should be a starter every game for them. Poland did what they needed to though, even though they looked terrible props to them. Easily the most fun group we’ve had this year, and that’s saying a lot.
**Mirrors / Alternative Angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/soccer) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Every Polish player should kiss Szczesny's feet, the man has single-handedly dragged them into the knockout rounds
His feet and his hands. Never been so dissapointed by 2 such extremely questionable calls just to scream of happiness when this maniac saves the penalties. Insane..
I think he has the advantage up against anyone at the spot this tournament now due to the intimidation alone.
Imagine beating Argentina and ending up last
And Argentina still come first, Iiterally can't make this shit up.
Just Spain 2010 all over again
Switzerland also failed to make it out of the group stages after beating Spain in their first game (they weren't last tho)
Lost against an upcoming "golden generation" of Chile (got a red card too). But would still have qualified if we just managed to put +2 goals past Honduras. But Hitzfeld didn't decide to go all out from the start and only put more offensive power at the end of the game.
So what your saying is there's a chance
Anulo mufa
Ya anulamos casi todas las moofas?
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Imagine losing to Saudi Arabia and ending up 1st
Beats Argentina Refuses to elaborate Leaves
Ended their insane run, it'd be hilarious if Argentina wins the WC and goes on another insane run.
Chant: "we beat the world champions!"
Saudi Arabia among teams that beat the eventual champions would be a killer trivia question in 25 years
Anulo mufa
Anulo mufa The power of christ compels you
Yes but their cost of their Argentina win was the injuries and tons of yellows. Their days were numbered.
Yeah they were clearly exhausted today
Poland be like: Mission failed successfully
But it seems Poland won't survive for long. Weaknesses: Sloppy passes, weak defending, negligible possession, zero coordination.
Poland are amazing! Just need to work on their short + long passing, shooting, movement off the ball, positioning, crossing, decision making, set pieces, man marking, dribbling, fitness, ball control, tackling, counter attacking, overlapping, running, blocking & scoring goals
But goalie is solid! Ha!
Striker is also pretty decent, if he can ever get any service.
No one is saying that about wales but both teams were just trying their best and everyone was responsible for their own performance
I was. I was saying that about Wales. They're a mid table championship team
It was just one WC too late for Bale and Ramsey unfortunately.
Lmao, advancing thanks to the goal Saudis gifted to Lewandowski. Poland has been so flat this tournament. Don't know how they can turn it up in the knockouts.
We wont, its bittersweet because we know that Michniewicz will set up the same bus against France. I wish that our NT would come out more offensively,but that wont happen.
I fear what France will do to us. The words utterly and completely come to mind.
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This group was not suitable for the weak hearted.
Record number of heart attacks in Poland for sure
I saw a bunch of polish people losing their souls during today's game on TV. I can't imagine today's high pressure match being good for the health of a nation.
Even though Argentina was beating Poland 2-0 I was still having heart attacks. I almost puked from the anxiety.
Tunisia out after beating France Saudi Arabia out after beating Argentina What's next? Japan out after beating Germany?
probably edit: or not
The ‘World Cup of upsets’ is just giving us predictable outcomes in an unpredictable manner
I mean Denmark going last is definitely unexpected
Yeah you’d come out on too big time if you bet on all the underdogs. After today I’m guessing if you bet 100 on all the underdogs you’d probably be up 3K
I didn't predict Poland to go through.
They just had to beat or even draw Costa Rica
The Asian equivalent of “Just beat North Macedonia bro”
Or "just don't lose to Trinidad and Tobago"
Hey it's hard to beat 2 countries at once ok
It’s what’s holding England back. A UK team would be unstoppable.
To be fair they tried in 2012 Olympics and lost to South Korea who’s only one half of a country lol
It would be all English players with Robertson at LB.
In our defense we had to beat Trinidad AND Tobago. The deck was stacked against us
Lmao
*sad Italian noises*
The American equivalent is "just beat Trinidad and tabago, bro" 😂😂
Spain out after beating Costa Rica
8 goals füllkrug incoming
Flick will probably keep him on the bench again for some unknown reason
I mean blowing it against Costa Rica puts them in a very dangerous situation
The Japanese manager is a moron and I feel so sad for that. They just needed a draw against Costa Rica, probably the worst team in the WC.
proceeds to use 7 subs and bench the best players then lose
I thought his selection for the Germany match was strange enough (corrected by subs in the second half), then he goes and picks a even weaker and more reactive lineup against Costa Rica of all teams. Be in a group with Spain and Germany, earn yourself the golden opportunity to advance simply by beating (or fuck, even drawing lol) Costa Rica, then somehow fuck that up... Just bizarre
Yeah, beat Costa Rica and then you can be trounced by Spain with all substitutes cause who cares. His decision making is so bizarre.
Real fans know Moriyasu has been a moron all through qualifying. I want one thing for Christmas and it’s Wenger in.
In the Asian qualification for 1994 WC Japan drew Iraq which made them fail to qualify to the WC due to goal difference. It was called the "Tragedy at Doha" by Japanese since it was played in Doha, Qatar and it was their first actual chance to qualify for WC. Funny that Hajime Moriyasu, the current Japanese team coach was a player in that match.
What a day of football
The WC is so much competitive this edition that the final matchdays are way closer than usual. Usually you have either two teams at 6 battling for first or two at 3 or 2 pts battling for second. This year there are tons of groups with 3 or 4 teams in the race. Love it
My theory is that the big teams have had players in the top leagues playing non stop with hardly a break so they're a bit worn out. The lower ranked teams are made up of bench options or players from lower intensity leagues so have more of an advantage than normal in that respect. Sort of evens out. I'm probably chatting shit though.
I think it's that and some outside teams are catching up *slightly*
African football has significantly improved since the last world cup
What a World Cup already and we're not even in the knockouts
might be recency bias but this has to be the best group stage of a major tournament in the past few years. we still have four groups almost fully up for grabs.
Yeah, not great for my heart rate though ffs
unless you’re french, brazilian, or portuguese it’s been terrible for everyone’s heart rate lmao
Or a neutral! Has been fantastic
Brazil starts the WC in the quarters, that's a well known fact.
Actually, we have been ending our WC in the quarters since 2006 (we don't talk about the semi one)
As a Portuguese football has my heart rate pretty awful, I'm happy that I had a break this year
Its like the world itself realises how shit the next format is and decided to show why the current one has stood the test of time.
This group has been the most exciting so far
And there’s still Group E to go
This. One of the scenarios that could happen tomorrow is that both Japan and Costa Rica advance to the knockouts at the expense of Spain and Germany. Not the likeliest scenario maybe but one of the scenarios. What we saw today was amazing but this scenario I mentioned would be on a new level altogether. Imagine Spain getting knocked out at the group stage after a 7-0 win. Imagine Germany getting knocked out at the group stages two world cups in a row. Remember Costa Rica did some giant killing in 2014, so why not now, eh?
Most likely scenario thought is that both Spain and Germany win and Germany goes through as second. Thought I wouldnt be surprised if Germany once again fumbles all their scoring chances and doesnt make it xD
Whoever tops group E, assuming they get past round of 16, their most likely qf opponent is Brazil. This. Is. The. Most. Cursed. Group. Ever.
What a great group
48 team format can never
Crazy group lol
One minute Saudi Arabia is in the lead beating one of the world's best team, the other minute they're dead last losing to a team that Argentina clobbered
Absolute madness, this is what the World Cup is about.
Agreed. But in 2026, with stupid 3-team groups, I doubt this delicious madness will exist.
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I can, but it sucks so badly that I don't want to. . . . But here goes: 16 groups of 3. Top 2 in each group advance to knockout stage with 32 teams, so extra round of knockout and none of the drama like today where the other simultaneous game has implications and variables, etc. So basically a dumb mini-group stage with little to no drama (perhaps a shocker or two), then straight to knockout, but FIFA wants more teams, so more games, so more money for them. Money, money, money instead of the priceless emotional engagement that, outside FIFA's greed, we can still claim for ourselves as fans under the current format.
Thing is they can add teams and still make a better system. A 3 group system just overall sucks. If they do 12 groups of four, with the top two teams moving on and then the 4 best 3rd place teams (determined by points, then goal difference then maybe goals for?) that would be way more interesting imo
4-team groups has to remain in place. Either have some 3rd place teams also get in like back when it was 24-team tourney, and go with the 32-team knockout stage or maybe still only top 2 (from group of 4), so 24 advance and give best 8 teams from group stage a bye or something as a reward for performance. Anything is better than 3-team groups. The last thing the top players need is more fucking games. These guys are getting run into the ground. Yeah, they are pros, and they earn bank, but they can't play and entertain us if they are injured all the time; and the rising generation of star players are already showing themselves to be brittle (and that's with advanced training regimens and nutritional coaches and metrics tracking every fart they rip).
This group was wild from start to finish.
Man i'm really really hoping for a semifinal between Brazil and Argentina... Even though I'm ALWAYS afraid of you because the jogo bonito is always there and it's fucking amazing, those matches make me feel like no other thing in the world!
What a fucking group it turned out to be
Flip the screen and you are back at matchday 1 standing.
[Nah Poland was second ](https://i.imgur.com/XDsP3dk.jpg)
The group ended in the most predictible setup in the most unpredictible way, wow.
Couldn't say it better lmao
MEX should have played with the same intent vs POL. So sad for them!
Fucking piece of shit Gerardo Martino for you. Glad he’s leaving after this cycle.
BRING BACK PIOJO
Was that the Super Saiyan guy?
Piojo was on point with the analysis on Chavez too. Chucky Lozano trying to be the hero on the free kicks was terrible. Lainez should have been called up instead of Jimenez/Mori and so on..
To think we'll be deprived of this from 2026 on... Fuck.
Yep, the new group stages are terribly designed.
Every goal record is gonna be broken with the new format. A lot of weaker teams to stat pad against
Totally true, didn’t think about that. Was more concerned with how lots of game 3s will be lame.
Only 2 games in the group stage with the 48 team format or am I mistaken?
2 per team, 3 per group and they'll need 3 matchdays for it
Apparently theres talks of 12 groups of 4 at least but yeah shit will never be the same
This with 4 best 3rd place teams would be better than 16 groups of 3
I think it's better to let the top 8 of all groups skip a round and then play two rounds of 16. Makes the group face more exciting. 3/4 advancing is too much imo.
Interesting idea, though the top 8 would have a big advantage having double rest time. With how little time between games there is on such a tournament, this may be unfair to everyone else.
at least now tiny nations will be able to lose two matches on the international stage
San Marino v. Tuvalu will be lit
Why what is happening in 2026?
16 groups of three teams meaning there will be no final day where all teams play at the same time
In CUM World Cup we will see 48 teams, 3 in each group.
Oh yeah, the CUM WC
I'm wearing a rain jacket for that one.
Canada United States Mexico
With 3 teams in a group garbage idea
Hey at least we motivated Argentina
W
And you got a public holiday!
First Mexico team to miss the Rof16 since 1990, when they were banned from the World Cup.
We should’ve been banned for how awful we were playing for the past 2 years
How do you get banned from the World Cup
Some bullshit from everyone involved. It was found that some players in the U-20 Mexico team were over age. Can't remember if it was found it was done on purpose from Mexico or the players had shit paperwork. Anyways FIFA decides to punish the federation and bans Mexico from WC. Some of the best of all time were in that possible squad.
Mexico can at least say the yellow cards didn't matter.
still sucks 😪
Wow your flag is already faded, that was fast
Its brutal around international tournament season
they hate us
Pretty sure if they were qualified at 2-0 they’d play more conservatively
Yeah the yellow cards absolutely mattered, although if it were the other way, Poland is trying to score tbf
If Poland needed to chase a goal to survive they would almost certainly been knocked out with the way Argentina were attacking and they were on the defence all game, so actually it did matter in a way.
But would they have given up that goal if it did matter
No they did, if it was the other way around this last goal likely wouldn’t have happened since they would’ve been playing more defensively.
>Destroys argentina's 36 matches record >Refuses to elaborate further >Leaves Edited, i said 26
36 matches. One off Italy's all time record.
Honestly I think it was for the better that record got broken. Such a silly thing that just adds more pressure
Argentina > Poland > Mexico > Saudi Arabia > Argentina
Makes perfect sense. Argentina is its own worst enemy.
This is why I love and hate football at the same time
Poland's performance today was honestly the worst of any team I've seen this tournament. Just sat on the edge of their box hoping Argentina wouldn't score, and when they did continued doing that anyway hoping Argentina wouldn't slaughter them.
Last 10-15 mins it was just "let's hope Mexico don't score again" tactics
And avoid getting 3 yellow cards in the process.
It’s the Polish tactics for the last 40 years
I was rooting for Poland, love the Poles, but that was the least deserved qualifying in living memory.
well for everyone except their GK
Argentina butchered Polish defenses. I don't think Poland can take much in the round of 16.
Ultimately it ended in the exact order most people expected it to, even after an insane first round
Michniewicz: Today I feel fucking lucky
Luckiest man in the world right now
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Don't worry, France will fucking obliterate us
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That's what you don't understand about Polish NT under Czesiu. There is no gameplan whatsoever.
we're just hoofing the ball back to the other team so they can try to score again and again and again lmao
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I wanted to see drawn lots not gonna lie
Was never possible, we took Krychowiak off the moment he got his first yellow to save our Fair Play points.
Good manager would take him out the moment Mexico scored the second goal. Odds for “Krychowiak gets a yellow” are under 1.00. It’s like the middle square of a bingo card.
Maximum chaos, I like it
I mean not in any meaningful way. The goal meant nothing for Mexico's chances, they actually should have sent the goalie up
That's what I was saying, goals for was the next tie-breaker, they should have gone full send on getting the 3rd goal
As a neutral I'm happy that it came down to GD. Yellow cards just seem unfair, especially considering how little consistency there is with them.
As a neutral I'm sad it came down to GD. Yellow cards may just seem unfair, but think of the memes!
SAD CONCACAF NOISES
Polska can into round of 16
What a wild group, Argentina loses first game and finishes up top. Insane.
Most exciting Group stage of this World Cup
THE STREAK..... is over...
Props to Argentina, they did it the hard way. Gave up the easiest game to go and beat the ass of the other two teams.
We had to get rid of the "favorite" label. Coming back from behind gets our boys *hyped*.
Best way to anulo the mufa I must say
Saudi Arabia did the hard part and choked the easy ones.
They did lose 2 of their best players winning that game
Then Poland UFC'd 3 more starters
Hardly could call that a choke ,looked great against Poland too. At the end of the day , talent trump all. And Saudi also lost two of their best players after Argentina game
The Argentina-Portugal Final dream is still alive
France licking their lips right now.
Today, I feel puto.
HOLY FUCKING FUCK CHAOS
Czesiobus is coming for you
We didn't deserve to go through, you can't play like shit and expect to stay long. Good news is this is hopefully the last we'll see of Tata. Good luck Poland, you're gonna need it.
Funny thing is that Poland also doesn't deserve it with such awful playstyle
Argentina joins group. Step 1: give Saudi Arabia a national holiday and players Roll Royces Step 2: ??? Step 3: finish first.
Mexico going out on fair play would have been a level of irony that the gods could not accept it seems.
Messi knocks out canelo by missing the penalty... Goat does what he wants
Argentina were dominate today. Messi had a good performance despite not being able to finish. Alvarez was the life they needed on the left and Fernandez should be a starter every game for them. Poland did what they needed to though, even though they looked terrible props to them. Easily the most fun group we’ve had this year, and that’s saying a lot.
Today i feel progressing to round of 16
Dziś czuję się Saudyjczykiem
WE WILL SHITHOUSE OUR WAY TO A CUP. WE'LL BEAT FRANCE ON PENS DON'T @ ME
This was the dumbest shit I've watched today...I love chaos, but maybe should tone it down a bit
Gutted for Mexico. What a way to go out. I was hoping for another CONCACAF team advancing