2018 World Cup poll

[rowan]

Who will win the World Cup?

If you vote other please specify in the comments section below.

[rowan]

I've gone for France. Not my preference. That would be Brazil back-to-their-best. Biggest hope is that an African team can make the semis for the first time - ideally Senegal. But I don't think that's too likely either.

[rowan]

Hard to see anyone outside of France, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Argentina winning it. It would certainly be nice to see Messi cap his career with a World Cup trophy, but Argentina has never been able to build a team around him the way Barca did.

[rowan]

France lead the way, way out on its own

[rowan]

Winners:

Year Winners Final score[3] Runners-up Venue Location Attendance References
1930 Uruguay 4–2 Argentina Estadio Centenario Montevideo, Uruguay 80,000 [9][10]
1934 Italy 2–1 Czechoslovakia Stadio Nazionale PNF Rome, Italy 50,000 [11][12]
1938 Italy 4–2 Hungary Stade Olympique de Colombes Paris, France 45,000 [13][14]
1950* Uruguay 2–1 Brazil Estádio do Maracanã Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 199,854[15] [16][17]
1954 West Germany 3–2 Hungary Wankdorf Stadium Bern, Switzerland 60,000 [18][19]
1958 Brazil 5–2 Sweden Råsunda Stadium Solna, Sweden 51,800 [20][21]
1962 Brazil 3–1 Czechoslovakia Estadio Nacional Santiago, Chile 69,000 [22][23]
1966 England 4–2 West Germany Wembley Stadium London, England 93,000 [24][25]
1970 Brazil 4–1 Italy Estadio Azteca Mexico City, Mexico 107,412 [26][27]
1974 West Germany 2–1 Netherlands Olympiastadion Munich, West Germany 75,200 [28][29]
1978 Argentina 3–1 Netherlands Estadio Monumental Buenos Aires, Argentina 71,483 [30][31]
1982 Italy 3–1 West Germany Santiago Bernabéu Madrid, Spain 90,000 [32][33]
1986 Argentina 3–2 West Germany Estadio Azteca Mexico City, Mexico 114,600 [34][35]
1990 West Germany 1–0 Argentina Stadio Olimpico Rome, Italy 73,603 [36][37]
1994 Brazil 0-0 [penalties] Italy Rose Bowl Pasadena (Los Angeles), California, United States 94,194
1998 France 3–0 Brazil Stade de France Saint-Denis (Paris), France 80,000 [40][41]
2002 Brazil 2–0 Germany International Stadium Yokohama Yokohama, Japan 69,029 [42][43]
2006 Italy 1–1 [penalties] France Olympiastadion Berlin, Germany 69,000 [44][45]
2010 Spain 1–0 Netherlands Soccer City Johannesburg, South Africa 84,490 [46][47]
2014 Germany 1–0 Argentina Estádio do Maracanã Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 74,738 [48][49]

Titles:

National team Wins Runners-up Total finals Years won Years runners-up
Brazil 5 2 7 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 1950, 1998
Germany 4 4 8 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002
Italy 4 2 6 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006 1970, 1994
Argentina 2 3 5 1978, 1986 1930, 1990, 2014
Uruguay 2 0 2 1930, 1950 –
France 1 1 2 1998 2006
England 1 0 1 1966 –
Spain 1 0 1 2010 –

[rowan]

Somebody voted for Germany. Good chance too. Conditions will probably suit them better than any of the other major contenders. Also, they've played in 40% of the tournament's grandfinals - 8/20. Incredible record!

[rowan]

Eye-catching results this weekend were Australia's demo job on Czechia and Brazil's 2-0 win over the highly rated Croats. I was actually watching the latter encounter on my new flatscreen TV (which finally works), but they cut it off midway through so that we could listen to yet another live speech from our glorious leader

[rowan]

Not looking so promising for the Africans this year. Belgium hammered Egypt 3-0 yesterday and Czechia rebounded from their thrashing at the hands of Australia to defeat Nigeria 1-0.

[rowan]

Mourinho sees Australia making the playoffs - and Senegal winning its group:

[rowan]

Looks like the Ghana Football Assn has just been dissolved due to a corruption scandal

What a shame. The Black Stars were one of my favorite teams.

[rowan]

So it all kicks off this week

France and Germany still tied on the poll and I'll call time on that when the first match gets underway on Thursday. In their final warm-up game France were held to a draw by the US in Lyon yesterday - and I personally think the Americans didn't make a real effort to qualify for Russia. That was a diplomatic boycott, I suspect.

[WaspInWales]

I think Belgium are worth an outside punt.

Scoring for fun in the warm-up matches. Excellent squad with world class players.

Could this be their year/tournament to justify their high ranking?

[rowan]

This has been said about Belgium before, of course, notably before the last World Cup. I'd say quarters at best. I don't think they'll match the exploits of that great generation of 80s, who made the semi-finals of both World Cups played that decade. But no arguing they are an especially talented side.

[WaspInWales]

It's a coin toss between Germany, Spain and Brazil for me (even though I voted Belgium).

Then it's France, Argentina and Belgium.

Portugal next.

England are rank outsiders...there's potential, but there's just not enough class to contemplate success. Quarters seem like the best possible result. Anything beyond that is just gravy, but massively unlikely.

In fact, it's more likely that England will be sent home in the pool stage. Will save the need for penalties I suppose

[rowan]

It's a coin toss between Germany, Spain and Brazil for me (even though I voted Belgium).

Then it's France, Argentina and Belgium.

Portugal next.

England are rank outsiders...there's potential, but there's just not enough class to contemplate success. Quarters seem like the best possible result. Anything beyond that is just gravy, but massively unlikely.

In fact, it's more likely that England will be sent home in the pool stage. Will save the need for penalties I suppose

Probably you're right, but I just have a sneaking suspicion England could have a great tournament. No, they won't win it, but the fact they are being written off means the pressure is completely off them, and they might just thrive on that. With a little luck in the playoffs (ie avoiding the big guns), they could perhaps scrape into the semis - for just the third time in their history.

Meanwhile, the opposite applies to France. There are high expectations, the pressure is upon them, and I foresee the distinct possibility of a similar scenario to 2002 when they turned up as defending champs and failed to get out of what looked like a fairly easy group. I've picked them regardless.

But the conditions will reall suit the Germans. Were they to win, they would equal Brazil with 5 titles, and also become just the third team to successfully defend the trophy - Brazil having done so in 1962 and Italy in 1938.

Argentina are another team I'm expecting to do well. It all depends on whether they can use Messi as effectively as Barca do. This will be his last chance to win the big prize and truly earn his place among the pantheon of football gods, alongside Pele & Maradona et al.

Some have installed Brazil as favourites but I don't think so, and especially not in Russia. They'll dip out in the first or second round of play-offs. Christian Ronaldo might lead his Portuguese team that far as well, but won't have the players around him to go any further.

A couple of good bets for a surprise appearance in the semis could be Croatia (who have bee there once before) and Colombia (who haven't).

[rowan]

Russia score the first goal of the 2018 World Cup. 1-0 midway 1st half.

2-0 just before halftime. Finally found the right channel about 10 minutes ago

3-0 midway 2nd half. Saudis looking a little tired and disillusioned, understandably. They've barely threatened the Russian goal.

Late goal makes it 4-0. Possibly the best goal of the match, coming from a long-range strike.

Followed almost immediately by another, this one from a free kick. It's a hammering: 5-0 !!

[rowan]

Nil-all approaching halftime. If Salah's out there, I haven't noticed. Uruguay definitely looking more threatening in front of goal and seem to be getting the lion's share of the chances at this stage. I tuned in around the 20 minute mark.

2nd half is more of the same, with Uruguay firmly on top. Egypt will do well to escape with a draw here, and are unlikely to beat Russia either. So a big win over the Saudis is their best chance of perhaps slipping through somehow on aggregate.

But actually I'd rate Egypt about the same as the Saudis, and Uruguay about the same as Russia. it's really surprising the South Americans haven't put a few in the net by now. Ah, just saw Salah in the stands...which answers my earlier question.

3/4 of the game gone, still no score, and Egypt will indeed do well to hold on for a draw with Salah out. & it's starting to look like that's where it's headed, despite increasing chances for both teams as the half wears on.

Stunning save by the Egyptian keeper on a veritable missile from one of the Uruguay strikers

Bugger! It had to come. so much pressure from Uruguay, who narrowly missed with a thunderbolt freekick from the edge of the box, then scramble one in following another free-kick minutes later.

1-0 Uruguay. 90 up. Can't help but think this is the most crucial game for Egypt, and not having Salah on the pitch is likely to see them take an early exit from Russia.

[rowan]

Morocco-Iran hasn't arisen to any great heights in the first half. Morocco look distinctly stronger and more confident in front of goal, but the Iranians certainly had their chances. Iran look similar to the Saudis and (Salah-less) Egypt, in fact, lacking genuine quality on attack. I'm guessing none of their forwards are playing in major professional competitions in Europe or anything. Morocco should come through with a goal or two in the second half, although there were signs they were beginning to tire toward the end of the first half, so we'll see...

Pretty abysmal second half with both teams looking weary and frustrated, though Morocco just went very close and seem the more likely to snatch a winner in the last ten. More likely it'll end in a draw, however, which is going to make it nigh impossible for both teams to qualify from this group - also involving Spain and Portugal. Morocco, especially, would have expected to win here, then snatch a draw in one of their two remaining games to scrape through. Not likely now.

Stunner! Morocco scored an own-goal header off a corner a couple of minutes into injury time. The Africans are devastated. Iran win it 1-0

[rowan]

Spain - Portugal has barely kicked off and Ronaldo wins and converts a penalty. Portugal up 1-0.

Christian Ronaldo would blend right into the Moroccan team. The guy surely has Berber ancestry.

Gets fouled again. This is ridiculous. I hope Spain win this but they're just taking Ronaldo down every time he gets the ball. & this has only just started!

Portugal looking stronger and if they can beat the 2010 champs here just how far might they go? But we still inside the first 1/4 of the game.

Spain just equalised against the run of play. Portugal will be ruing some missed opportunities now. They've had the better of the opening 1/4. But it's 1-1, 25 mins gone. Refreshingly good game so far, after that previous dour affair... & Spain get freakishly close again, off the bottom of the crossbar

Ronaldo gets his second just before the break. What a player! 2-1 HT.

Diego Costa gets his second for Spain early 2nd half. 2-2. & it's Spain again just minutes later, long range strike in off the back post. This is a great game 2-3 Spain lead!

Ronaldo gets his hat-trick a few minutes from time with a pinpoint freekick over the wall and into the top right corner of the goal! 3-3. It'll probably finish that way and a fair result too. But no questioning Ronaldo's genius. One of the true greats.

My new flatscreen TV has finally come into its own

[rowan]

It's the Aussies in both codes right now, playing the French at footy and the Irish at rugby. No score in the former, which is to their credit. In fact, they just nearly scored!

HT, no score, and right now I'd say it's been fairly even, surprisingly. Aussies look a bit sharper than any of the Middle Eastern teams we've seen in action so far, while the French certainly don't look as sharp as the Iberians did yesterday (more around Uruguay's level). But the French are notoriously slow starters at this tournament.

French score from a penalty early 2nd half. Looks a fair call. Aussie defender thought he could just get away with it around the edge of the box, but mistimed disastrously... & now the French have a head of steam up and and straight back on attack

Wow, but now the Aussies have a penalty! Clear handball by a French defender. What was he thinking? 1-1

Bummer! France get their second with 10 minutes remaining. Ball barely crossed the line and in the old days they might not have given it.

Getting a bit niggly now. Aussies in particular need to calm down. This was always going to be the hardest game for them, and they can still target Denmark and Peru for wins, but they won't want to have anyone ruled out by yellow cards.

FT 2-1. Fairly predictable tournament so far, notwithstanding Iran's minor upset. Bad day for the Aussies, meanwhile, as the ruggers also lost

[rowan]

So the Cinderella team Iceland has just equalized against the Argies midway 1st half. 1-1. I've had one eye on my TV and the other on the rugby live streams (see Global Results Thread for updates). But I'm going to give this a bit more attention now...

Clear penalty missed by the ref late in the half as replays show an Iceland defender handled the ball inside the box. There was also a case for a penalty a little earlier. This is the worst refereeing performance so far.

Argentina continue to apply most of the pressure in the second half but Messi can't find the gaps the way he does for Barca. Icelandic Defense is solid. Still, the Argies appear the more likely to score at this stage. But nothing here to suggest they'll win the cup.

Penalty on Messi. Saved! It's not Messi's day - nor Argentina's...
& the little man misses with a freekick soon after

Argentina continue to dominate, virtually playing this game around the Iceland box, but they can't dribble their way through and seem loathed to strike from long range. 15 mins left.

& yet another clear cut case for a penalty is ignored. Nothing extreme but definitely contact made on the leg of the attacker. Still, the Argies would've missed the penalty anyway

Awful performance from Messi and the Argie attack. How many chances did they need? Still, 1-1 draw is no disaster. Iceland will obviously be happy as that as well.

[rowan]

Denmark - Peru. Hard to get excited about this after Argentina (& Messi) fizzled in their first match. I'll go for another draw here, though the Danes tend to be over-achievers at major tournaments - when they actually manage to qualify for them.

These South Americans really need to learn to kick their penalties. Seemed a bit of a dodgy call to begin with, so perhaps poetic justice. Very even and surprisingly entertaining first half ends without score.

Jeez, these South Americans don't half piss around in the opposition's goal box! Just shoot, for gawds sakes. No need to try and create the beautiful goal every time!

& Denmark make them pay even as I'm writing that. Nice, simple strike from just inside the box. No need to dribble around three players and pass to a team-mate with only the keeper to beat. Just shoot Danes lead 1-0 approaching 3/4 mark.

To be fair, the European defenses are very tight. The Danish keeper has been awesome too. & I believe his name is Schmeichel. In fact, the whole Danish team seems to have the same last names as they did 2 decades ago. I hope it's not the same players

My, my, the Peruvians have let some chances slip. I was already celebrating a moment ago before I realized they hadn't finished it off. Keeper was nowhere in sight but a defender blocked the shot! Danes have had their chances too. Last few minutes now . . .

So it ends, Danes 1-0, Peru fluffing around without shooting...

[rowan]

So the upset I was hoping for has not yet occurred, but I did tip the Super Eagles, and they're up next against a highly-rated Croatian side...

Croatia opens the scoring from a corner half an hour into the game. It's been pretty even so far, and the Nigerians have certainly looked confident on the ball, but they're not really threatening the Croatian goal very often.

All Croatia now as the Nigerians appear rattled by that goal. They'll do well to hang on till halftime and try and re-group.

2nd half has begun like the first. Nigeria have regained their composure. Croatians committing a lot of fouls but only one yellow card so far. But Nigeria don't quite look like scoring.

In fact, they are the 9th non-European side to take the field so far, and those 9 teams have only scored 4 goals (one an own-goal)!
Meanwhile, Croatia is the 7th European team to take the field so far, and those 7 teams have put away 16 goals.

Penalty Croatia! Tough call. Africa looks headed for a third straight defeat at the tournament. About quarter of the game remaining. Croatia lead 2-0.

Massively disappointing. Croatia nearly add a third while Nigeria just trot around looking confused. Meanwhile, my attention has switched firmly to the Canada - Russia (rugby) game which is currently playing live on the Global Results Thread.(Russians with a surprising 3-19 lead right now)

[rowan]

Today's amazing trivia: Costa Rica means Rich Coast

More of the same as the Europeans dominate. Serbs should've scored a few by now. This is a decent Costa Rican team, however. & they've kept it scoreless to the break. I sense a goal or two for Serbia in the second half, however. They're a very skilfull unit, very reminiscent of the Croats yesterday, in fact. Also a bit dirty, and the refs still seem loathed to crack down on the European teams. Not that that's any excuse for the non-Euro sides, who have collectively yet to beat a European team at this tournament.

Yup, Serbia from a freekick early in the second half after loads of pressure. 1-0

Serbs have gone off the boil since that goal and it's been a more even affair. But the Central Americans can't really get a decent shot in so perhaps the Serbs are just happy to hang onto that one goal lead and keep the defense tight.

Chances at both ends and a bit of a scuffle on the sidelines brings the match to an end. 1-0 Serbs, deservedly. 10 non-European teams have so far produced just 4 goals - & one of those an own-goal

[rowan]

De ja vu all over again. Mexico another non-European side that pisses around inside the otehr team's goal box, Germany another European team with a tight defense. Good contest so far anyway.

& when the Mexicans do shoot it's invariably 10 feet above the crossbar. The Germans are getting their attempts on target, albeit straight into the keeper's arms. He's done a good job so far.

Well well well, Mexico open the scoring! They've had plenty of chances and finally get it right. 0-1.

Germany look mad now and almost replied immediately but for another great save by this brilliant Mexican keeper...

HT 0-1 Mexico. Long way to go...

Lots of pressure from the Germans during the middle stages of the second half, not shooting well though. Then Mexico almost made it 2-0 on a breakaway but the striker went down in the box with only the keeper in front of him and replays showed no foul

Immense pressure from Germany, Mexico survive and again break away, but this time the shot is a fraction high.

Another great save by the Mexican keeper. Yellow cards coming for the Krauts, who look frustrated. 5 minutes left.

Well done, Mexico. First win for a non-European side over a European team at this tournament, and who would've thought it would come against Germany?! Mexican keeper surely Man of the Match. Made a few more good saves at the end there as well.