Russia 2018

[rowan]

HT Belgium 2-0. It's the counterattack that's doing it. Brazil still haven't sorted that out. They're dominating possession and have certainly had more shots. Neymar went down in the box and didn't even roll once! But what's happened to the video replay? I haven't seen it used at all in the playoffs and suspect the refs have been instructed to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

[Galfon]

Neymar goes down twice in a minute - earlier 3 team fally-overs in a couple of minutes...it is happening but not as much as lesser teams.
Playing football will get them goals.
If they don't close the Belgians down in midfield it could be 4 or 5.

[rowan]

You're watching a different game to me then. Brazil are playing all the football out there and no dives at all - not even when Neymar went down in the box (off balance). He just got straight back up. They need to change their tactics in the second half, show a little more patience, and shore up the defense. Plenty of time to come back, but I sense that second goal has sunk them and we're going to see an all-European semis.

[Galfon]

If they don't close the Belgians down in midfield it could be 4 or 5.

fwc me..Big Al S. has just echoed me on Beeb..not sure if that's good or bad..

[Galfon]

No-one mentioned fouls!..in fact if they played tighter there would have been be more.

[rowan]

More of the same, Brazil dominating, not enough patience on attack. Neymar did appear to take a dive in the box around the 51 minute mark, but at least he didn't roll around for five minutes. Yes, replay showing a clear dive. Could've been yellow.

All Brazil this half but their attacking play has no potency whatsoever. Belgium seemingly content to sit back and defend at this stage. Coming up to the hour mark...

[Galfon]

Tssk..Neymar in the box - a belly flop...
Jesus has a roll instead and nearly gets a pen....unlucky.
Brazil giving it a real go.

[Adder]

All European semi makes it sound terrible. However it is important to mention that belgium, Russia/Croatia, Sweden/England are all lower key European teams that have risen up to the occasion. Granted that Belgium has risen in the last 4 years and that Croatia has been competitive since 1998.

Tssk..Neymar in the box - a belly flop...
Jesus has a roll instead and nearly gets a pen....unlucky.
Brazil giving it a real go.

You're watching a different game to me then. Brazil are playing all the football out there and no dives at all - not even when Neymar went down in the box (off balance). He just got straight back up. They need to change their tactics in the second half, show a little more patience, and shore up the defense. Plenty of time to come back, but I sense that second goal has sunk them and we're going to see an all-European semis.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) using Tapatalk

[morepork]

Neymar is a complete fuckwit.

[Adder]

Courtois having a great game.

Sent from my Moto G (5S) using Tapatalk

[Galfon]

Courtois having a great game.

good point - he's used his large frame to good effect.
Even a 'good' keeper could have let in 2 or 3 of what he has stopped. Schmeichel was similar in the consistently winning United team.

[rowan]

Really awful from Brazil now. Schoolboy errors. Blind shooting. Neymar doesn't look right. & the Brazilians are starting to go down a little too easily now. They're already on the plane home.

So for the 4th straight tournament we're going to have a European champion. At a guess I'd say this'll be the 5th all-European semis, after 34, 66, 82 and 06.

But just wrote that and Brazil scrambles one in. About 15 mins plus injury time to find an equalizer...

That's crucial. Brazilian tails are up again now. I said they didn't do early goals. All the goals I remember them scoring at this tournament were late shows. & Belgium has hardly done a thing in this half (except defend pretty well, of course) . . .

[Galfon]

Inspired substitution and pass from Coutinho, goal Augusto..the heat may tell on the big Belgians..he'll need to get subs. on too.
2 - 1 Bel after 76 min.

[Galfon]

Tables turned!..Brazil running amok through the middle.

[rowan]

3 gilt-edged opportunities have gone begging for Brazil since they scored their first. They've only got themselves to blame here, and some of these strikers are in for a roasting from the Brazilian press. The finishing has been diabolical.

This is a classic choke. Brazil have thrown away so many chances.

[morepork]

That Brazilian 12 is class. No faffing about and just everywhere.

[Galfon]

If Neymar didn't dive he could have headed that in...
so close.

[Galfon]

That's it.
2 - 1 Bel.
Much improved Bra from 2014.

[Adder]

Alright Belgium. You played well, we enjoy your beers and your chocolate but the tournament ends now for you. [emoji632][emoji632][emoji632]

Sent from my Moto G (5S) using Tapatalk

[morepork]

Alright Belgium. You played well, we enjoy your beers and your chocolate but the tournament ends now for you. [emoji632][emoji632][emoji632]

Sent from my Moto G (5S) using Tapatalk

Classic.

[Galfon]

Bra 1 - 2 Bel - some match stats:
Possession: 59% / 41%
Shots: 27 / 9
On Target: 9 / 3
Corners: 8 / 4
Fouls: 14 / 16

That's a poor conversion rate for Brazil on any measure.
If Bel are already tagged 'WC favourites', 'best team in competition' etc. then Brazil can be more than satisfied with their performance especially in the 2nd half where many of these numbers came from.
Kompany's clumsy tackle on Jesus looked a clear pen. on replay - which is why VAR is there.
Shearer's theory is that this went against the team because of Neymar's earlier dive - surely that's ballix and it was just a bad call....you'd never hear the end of it if it was Eng.that's for sure.

[cashead]

It did feel like the referees were ignoring Brazilian appeals for penalties. I'd imagine it's not just the dive by Neymar, but the dives throughout. It just had an air of "boy who cried wolf" about it.

[WaspInWales]

Brazil would be justified feeling aggrieved they didn't get the penalty decision. That is what var is there for and it was clear and obvious on the replays.

They weren't the first team to get screwed by var and they certainly won't be the last.

That said, I won't be missing Neymar. Outstanding player, but what a cockend.

[Stom]

Brazil would be justified feeling aggrieved they didn't get the penalty decision. That is what var is there for and it was clear and obvious on the replays.

They weren't the first team to get screwed by var and they certainly won't be the last.

That said, I won't be missing Neymar. Outstanding player, but what a cockend.

The Jesus one?

That wasn't clear cut for me. VAR should be like cricket: only to overturn obvious mistakes. I think, in this case, it should be referees decision, so no pen.

[Galfon]

They're out..a chance for an Eng team to show they can avoid getting out-toughed by a Swedish team.
Eng have unusually pacy options - hope they us them.