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

[Nalens Oga]

This is the morning game? I'm sleeping in.

edit: Actually nvm, I might enjoy watching the faster Russian players go up against Ramos and Pique.

 

[sr edler]

Arshavin/Pavlyuchenko was an exciting two-punch a few moons ago. Russian team doesn't have that kind of edge now. That big tower they have on top now makes me want to sleep through the summer.

 

[Asiantuntija]

Russia will win. Not impressed with Spain at all.

 

[GabeTravels]

On the way to the stadium. Gonna be an awesome match...my first WC Match.

 

[Ceremony]

Russia are going to get destroyed.

 

[Vancouver Canucks]

Spain 3 - Russia 0. That's my prediction.

 

[Firsov99]

Russia is playing with three center backs. It was kind of exiected.

 

[Acallabeth]

Cheryshev on the bench, Samedov starting though...

 

[Firsov99]

Cheryshev on the bench, Samedov starting though...

They play different positions though. Samedov - on the right, Cheryshev - on the left. Since Russia is playing with three center backs, they had to remove one attacking player.

 

[Blender]

Spain should take this one no problem, but anything can happen.

 

[Theokritos]

Plus statistically, Luzhniki had been kind to the national team.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last results there against international opponents of (roughly) Spain's calibre were 0-1 vs Argentina and 0-3 vs Brazil. Right?

For all the "it's still Spain" talk...this is a team that historically goes out early at the World Cup.

Yeah, but usually they go out against good teams. Russia isn't really one today.

 

[Asiantuntija]

Let's go Russia!

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

No iniesta.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

I feel like the atmosphere in the stadiums at the Russia games is slightly disappointing. Given Russians's generally quite patriotic disposition, the fact they never before got to host a tournament and Russian fans' showing at previous tournaments, I expected passionate cauldrons of support..instead that seems to be reserved for when Latin American teams play.

I have a hunch that a lot of these World Cup tickets have gone to a lot of wealthy types who don't normally go to football games. We saw the same at Euro 2012 where the Polish crowd was also a lot worse than Polish crowds normally are.

 

[Suiteness]

No iniesta.

Injured or benched?

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

Injured or benched?

Sounded like benched for asensio.

 

[Jussi]

Who else but Ramos! Or rather OG! Securing that Golden Boot.

 

[Tryamw]

1-0 Spain as the guy gets tackled.

 

[Halladay]

wow, ramos.

 

[Baxterman]

Took longer than expected but not surprised to see Spain up 1-0.

 

[Ceremony]

There's yer tap boy inducing an own goal

 

[Blender]

Own goal, not Ramos.

 

[mouser]

Was wondering how in the world he kicked that, then saw the replay and oops, own goal.

 

[Firsov99]

What an idiotic goal. 0-1

 

[Luigi Habs]

Ramos taking lessons from Ronaldo. Pumping his chest when he didn’t even score.