Brazil vs Japan and Netherlands vs Morocco. Two fantastic matchups. Despite finishing first, those are not easy games for Brazil and Netherlands. Japan and Morocco are solid. Should be entertaining games.
Okay, let's make this clear. Bringing up the Nico Williams situation is ridiculous.
Barça wanted Nico the summer before, the deal didn't happen, and everyone moved on. Then the following summer, Nico and his camp approached Barça and made it clear he wanted to join. What was Barça supposed to do, ignore a player they already wanted? Any club in the world would've tried to make that transfer happen.
What I don't understand is why Barça are being treated like they're doing something no other club does. Atlético are the ones who made this public, accused Barça of manipulating the media, and tried to paint Julián Álvarez as the bad guy.
Meanwhile, multiple reliable journalists, including some of the most respected reporters in Argentina, have consistently reported that Julián wants to leave and that Barcelona would be his preferred destination if a move were possible. Those same reports also claim that Julián had a meeting with Gil Marín and was told that if he wanted to leave this summer, Atlético would help make it happen.
So who is actually lying here?
If Atlético don't want to sell, that's their right. Nobody can force them. But acting like Barça created this entire situation doesn't make sense when the reports have been consistent for months.
At this point, it looks less like Barça are lying and more like Atlético are trying to control the narrative because the player wants out. The facts simply don't support the story they're trying to sell.
Senegal have been massively disappointing in this World Cup. Completely outclassed by France and Norway. Very unlikely they make the knockouts unless they win big vs Iraq to overcome their -4 goal difference.
Senegal have been massively disappointing in this World Cup. Completely outclassed by France and Norway. Very unlikely they make the knockouts unless they win big vs Iraq to overcome their -4 goal difference.
There are two things I firmly believe, and this goes beyond the Julian situation.
1. A club should never keep a player against their will.
2. A buying club should set very clear boundaries for negotiations. It’s important to have clear targets, it’s equally as important to stick to your valuation.
That leaves us here. Julian has done everything he can, and once we present our absolute best offer, we have done the best we can. If Atleti want to deal with the embarrassment of keeping a player hostage, that’s on them. But we have to move on.
@JosipFCB93 If Argentina hold on, they would just need Jordan to fail to beat Algeria and they would secure first place. If Jordan win, then 1st place is not 100% confirmed.
Ecuador were my dark horses and they have just shit the bed BIG TIME today. They are basically eliminated from the tournament, even if they beat Germany (who confirmed 1st place after this result), as they would need Ivory Coast to lose to Curaçao. Yeah, not happening.
🌎🇨🇼 Historical point for Curaçao on their first World Cup ever. Population: 156.000 for the whole country! 👏🏼
One point in the group so far for Ecuador. 🇪🇨
Who’s been your Man of the Match?
Did Haiti randomly decide to play well against Scotland or are Scotland just shit? The difference between this Haiti and the Haiti vs Scotland is astronomical.
@JosipFCB93 Out of these two, it will most likely be USA. Assuming Belgium and USA win their groups and get past RO32, they would meet in the RO16. Mexico would have to play England in the RO16. I don't see them knocking out England. USA would have the more doable path in my opinion.
USA may be the real dark horses. Smashed Paraguay a week ago and are now making Australia look like amatuers. Not the biggest of national teams, but people cannot deny the quality of the USMNT. They're on home soil too. Still early days, but things are looking good for them.