World Cup: R16: Spain vs. Russia, 7/1/2018

Who advances?


  • Total voters
    62

Dr Pepper

Registered User
Dec 9, 2005
70,347
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Sunny Etobicoke
Was really pulling for Iran to topple Portugal, especially with that last minute dagger just inches from pushing Iran to the top of the group. What a story that would've been.

Spain hasn't looked great so far so this could go either way. Would probably still bet on them, though...they always seem to come up with something to just eke by.
 

Live in the Now

Registered User
Dec 17, 2005
53,030
7,489
LA
Is this the "weak" side of the bracket?

I would say yes, but there's a catch, it depends on what happens in three other games.

If Denmark beats France, which is entirely possible, France winds up on this side. Croatia should be here as well.

Brazil could also wind up on this side if Switzerland wins by more than they do on Wednesday. Germany could as well if Sweden beats Mexico.

So, no way to know just yet. I think it's going to turn out that the two sides are about even.
 

Panteras

“I’ll remember this hell of a journey”- Barkov
Sep 14, 2009
13,651
5,407
Panther’s favorite strip club
Obvious pick Spain. But they are not convincing, meaning I won’t be surprised if somehow Russia pull this off. Spain’s D is suspect, read that they’ve let in as many goals in their last 6 WC games as in their previous 18 before that.
 

ViD

#CBJNeedHugs
Sponsor
Apr 21, 2007
29,625
19,023
Blue Jackets Area
One good thing is it’s going to be played at the packed Luzhniki stadium, so Russians will be supported to the max
 

robertmac43

Forever 43!
Mar 31, 2015
23,094
15,176
End of the road for the Russians. Was a good run and I enjoyed watching Golovin, but Spain has too much quality
 
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John Pedro

Registered User
Feb 6, 2014
6,645
2,430
São Paulo
Russia jacked on roids should give Spain a run for their money, but the difference in skill is just too big to not go with Spain here.
 

cgf

FireBednarsSuccessor
Oct 15, 2010
59,988
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I'd be so happy for my dad for Russia to go through after losing the aunt who raised him this week, but I can't see it happening. Spain's ability to control the match is just too great to let those russian counters burn them too badly or for that russian backline to hold off dirty Diego.
 
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Cassano

Registered User
Aug 31, 2013
25,610
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I'd be so happy for my dad for Russia to go through after losing the aunt who raised him this week, but I can't see it happening. Spain's ability to control the match is just too great to let those russian counters burn them too badly or for that russian backline to hold off dirty Diego.
I like that name. Dirty Diego.
 
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brian70

Registered User
Jul 8, 2012
242
6
Is this the "weak" side of the bracket?
Odds are France-Argentina and Brazil-Germany will be next round matchups. Add Belgium, Uruguay and Portugal to that group, that would make it the much stronger side as opposed to Spain, Croatia, Mexico, England. Not set in stone, still some remaining games but it's a strong probability.
 

cgf

FireBednarsSuccessor
Oct 15, 2010
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Odds are France-Argentina and Brazil-Germany will be next round matchups. Add Belgium, Uruguay and Portugal to that group, that would make it the much stronger side as opposed to Spain, Croatia, Mexico, England. Not set in stone, still some remaining games but it's a strong probability.

How do you figure? Whether Germany & Brazil will finish first or second in their respective groups is still very much in the air.
 

brian70

Registered User
Jul 8, 2012
242
6
How do you figure? Whether Germany & Brazil will finish first or second in their respective groups is still very much in the air.
Nothing's done obviously but Brazil is in control of their destiny and sitting at the top of their group with +1 goal advantage. Germany has to win but would also need a Mexico loss to Sweden to finish 1st. Certainly not impossible but the odds of seeing Brazil-Germany in round of 16 are better than not.
 
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cgf

FireBednarsSuccessor
Oct 15, 2010
59,988
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Nothing's done obviously but Brazil is in control of their destiny and sitting at the top of their group with +1 goal advantage. Germany has to win but would also need a Mexico loss to Sweden to finish 1st. Certainly not impossible but the odds of seeing Brazil-Germany in round of 16 are better than not.

Brazil are up by a goal against the Swiss & the swiss could be drained from their emotional win over the serbs...but Brazil also plays a Serbian team fighting for its life, while the Swiss get the already eliminated (and much weaker than serbia) Costa Rica. So Brazil drawing while the swiss win, or even Brazil winning by less than the swiss is very possible. Plus this group plays after the german group, so those teams will already know whether 1st or 2nd gets germany & we could see some odd shenanigans where Brazil plays for a 1-0 win hoping that the swiss out score them or even that the serbs snag a late equalizer to drag them below the Swiss into 2nd.

Similarly, group F is still very much tbd. The Swedes holding or beating Mexico wouldn't be a shock at all as their bus could well shut the mexicans out, even if the swedes fail to score themselves...although given their height advantage & forsberg's deliveries, seeing the swedes get a goal or two through the air wouldn't exactly be surprising either.

There's just so much still up in the air with these two groups that we could still see a Germany-Brazil r16 match on either side of the bracket.
 

brian70

Registered User
Jul 8, 2012
242
6
Brazil are up by a goal against the Swiss & the swiss could be drained from their emotional win over the serbs...but Brazil also plays a Serbian team fighting for its life, while the Swiss get the already eliminated (and much weaker than serbia) Costa Rica. So Brazil drawing while the swiss win, or even Brazil winning by less than the swiss is very possible. Plus this group plays after the german group, so those teams will already know whether 1st or 2nd gets germany & we could see some odd shenanigans where Brazil plays for a 1-0 win hoping that the swiss out score them or even that the serbs snag a late equalizer to drag them below the Swiss into 2nd.

Similarly, group F is still very much tbd. The Swedes holding or beating Mexico wouldn't be a shock at all as their bus could well shut the mexicans out, even if the swedes fail to score themselves...although given their height advantage & forsberg's deliveries, seeing the swedes get a goal or two through the air wouldn't exactly be surprising either.

There's just so much still up in the air with these two groups that we could still see a Germany-Brazil r16 match on either side of the bracket.
You're right, Brazil could play to finish 2nd if it means avoiding Germany and take on Mexico but it's very risky as a loss would put an end to their run. All different scenarios are possible and there are enough shocks in all tournaments to prove it. But it is still more probable that Mexico draws or wins and that Brazil take the top spot. Call it wishful thinking on my end. Look at the bright side: your team would play only the best all the way through.
 

cgf

FireBednarsSuccessor
Oct 15, 2010
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You're right, Brazil could play to finish 2nd if it means avoiding Germany and take on Mexico but it's very risky as a loss would put an end to their run. All different scenarios are possible and there are enough shocks in all tournaments to prove it. But it is still more probable that Mexico draws or wins and that Brazil take the top spot. Call it wishful thinking on my end. Look at the bright side: your team would play only the best all the way through.

I don't think Brazil would play for a draw...but if Brazil goes ahead 1-0, I could see them sitting back on that lead while hoping that the swiss win by 2 or more; knowing that even if they give up an equalizer, they would still advance ahead of Serbia. Playing for the draw outright is far too risky, but playing for a 1-0 gives them a nice margin for error.

Maybe I'm under-rating the mexicans, but I think they'll have issues breaking down the swedes if they sit deep like they did against us & S. Korea...while waiting for a set piece or counter to give them the 1 goal they need to jump ahead of mexico. If Sweden gets that goal before they start feeling the pressure to push forward & chase it, exposing themselves to Mexican counters, then I can definitely see them making life very difficult on the Mexican possession game...as they showed against a german team that may have been terrible at defending counters, but who really started moving the ball well as soon as Draxler was subbed off.
 

brian70

Registered User
Jul 8, 2012
242
6
I don't think Brazil would play for a draw...but if Brazil goes ahead 1-0, I could see them sitting back on that lead while hoping that the swiss win by 2 or more; knowing that even if they give up an equalizer, they would still advance ahead of Serbia. Playing for the draw outright is far too risky, but playing for a 1-0 gives them a nice margin for error.

Maybe I'm under-rating the mexicans, but I think they'll have issues breaking down the swedes if they sit deep like they did against us & S. Korea...while waiting for a set piece or counter to give them the 1 goal they need to jump ahead of mexico. If Sweden gets that goal before they start feeling the pressure to push forward & chase it, exposing themselves to Mexican counters, then I can definitely see them making life very difficult on the Mexican possession game...as they showed against a german team that may have been terrible at defending counters, but who really started moving the ball well as soon as Draxler was subbed off.
My problem is I see so little offense coming from the swedes, maybe I'm the one underrating Sweden. It would also be disappointing for the mexicans after the miracle they pulled.

As for Brazil allowing the equalizer, they need to look at how close Iran came to oust Portugal. Very risky, one PK and you're done.
 

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