Topic: The Pushsquare FIFA World Cup Thread

Yeah, definitely a good performance from Australia, had the chances to win that game.

Am I being awful by hoping Spain go out? There's probably an element of hating on success in that, but I do think they can be dull as dish water sometimes. Amazing, at others, no doubt - but tedious at times as well.

Spain are playing terrible. They can hardly string anything together, and I don't think Costa is properly fit.

Question: Was Negredo injured? Why isn't he in the squad? If he was fit, why on Earth would you bring Torres instead?

Second half, they should take off Alonso (having a crap game), put Xavi on. Then sub Costa 10 mins later if nothing changes, put Villa on.

All credit to Chile, though, they're playing stupidly well. They're so fast whether they're closing down or attacking. Effort has been pretty immense, but Spain's awful final third passing has made it easier for them.

I'm gonna predict 3-1 to Chile. Spain will get a goal back, look more dangerous, but Chile will get another one on a counter or a set piece and it'll be all over.

The Netherlands / Holland were on their worst. Australie did a really good job!

Pepe should have started above De Gea for me. More big match experience. But overall this is like watching Claude Monet using finger paints or a drunk who's been sober for years falling off the wagon in front of the world.

Hakan Sukur has the quickest goal, from the 2002 third place play-off, scoring after 10 seconds.

Less of your cheek, David Moyes is a football genius! To be fair to the big pleb though he was never played at United like he should have been, hence the catastrophic/hilarious (delete as appropriate) performances.

Good God no. There'd be no players on the field after ten minutes. They hate each other. Plus the Dutch, to be honest, aren't all that. Spain are awful and on the way out and they struggled massively against the Soccerroos. Once they play a team with a bit of nous they'll perform their usual crumbling act. Much like United will next year with Van Gaal. Massive choker.

So Spain is going home.  I can't believe how bad they did this year.  Of course I really dont follow soccer that much so is this Spain squad different from the one four years ago?  Like did a bunch of players leave or something?

@rastamadeus Yeah, I should have said this World Cup.

Well, Spain were awful. Don't know whether Holland shattered their confidence completely or they just totally cracked under pressure, but they're going home. They were honestly one of the worse teams we've seen in the tournament - they only had two or three shots on target, and for a team that's about to go out in the first stage, they looked completely lacking in any kind of spirit.

Congratulations to Chile, though, they played amazingly well. If they can keep up that speed in the next round, they could go places.

Please the Dutch were in the finals in South africa against spain ! Although that game was pure ****. Most other teams aren't that impressive either. Brazil the so called gods of football are the worst i have ever seen. Germany though is superior ( Well if they come in the final i will be happy. I'm dutch but my roots are German. win win:D)

@Sanquine - true and when they had their chance they changed their entire football culture and absolutely bottled it by doing so. Point stands. 

Just like to say I told you Spain were going home I'll also assure you my crystal ball says England will get out of the group stage. Suarez will single handedly rip you to shreds tomorrow but the rest of the team is just dross. If England don't beat them then Hodgson should be sacked. He should be either way to be honest. The FA should have begged Brendan Rodgers or Roberto Martinez to manage England. So glad us and Everton have those two gems.

Must say I'm gutted Australia are out. They deserve more. I really hope they don't lose to Spain, they shouldn't have to look in the history books and see P3 W0 D0 L3.

Oh, and Ivan Perisic is a proper player. Can't see Wolfsburg keeping him much longer.

Enjoying this footy talk. Most places seem to be "England are poo because Player X from Liverpool/Man U/Arsenal/etc plays for them" whereas here it's insightful and seems more real. We should have a new thread for when the new season kicks off. All leagues though, not just a Premiership one.

Once the World Cup is over I will probably just change the title of this thread to reflect soccer discussions in general.

Hahaha.  Yeah I know I am going to get teased for that but I just gave up calling it football.  Whenever I call it football where I live I end up starting a conversation about American Football and the NFL so I just gave up and call it soccer.

Cameroon have long since gone to pieces. Some really stupid and rash actions in this World Cup so far. At least it's entertaining, though.

So that's Spain, Australia, and Cameroon out only two games in for each team.

Does anyone have any predictions based on what you've seen as to who might win the tournament?

Does Spain, Australia and Cameroon get to play their last game in the group or do they just go home now?  I know it wont help them but, I was just wondering if they cancel it or something.

As for predictions right now I will have to go with Germany and Netherlands they both looked good in their last games especially against favorites like Spain and Portugal. 

But their are still a bunch of good teams and some surprise ones going strong.   But yeah Germany and Netherlands looked like they are both hungry and ready to play.

Unfortunately for the teams that are already out, they still have to play their last game. This is mainly because they may be playing a team who want a better goal difference so they can finish at the top of their group - stuff like that.I kinda feel sorry for Spain and Australia having to play each other. It's sort of like a "let's see who the biggest loser is".

To be fair to Australia, though, they were the worst ranked team (I think?) and gave it a good go. Nothing to be ashamed of on their part, really.

They played better and with more spirit than Holland, but it all comes to goals. Australia lacked in that department and we the dutch had luck on our side.

I hope England win today. It'd be nice to be able to support my home nation for a little longer...

England will scrape it. They'll get to the quarters as long as Columbia don't win Group C.

Tell you what, if Ivory Coast can get Yaya Toure playing - who's looked a shadow in the two games so far - then they will give anyone in the tournament a game. Him, Drogba and Gervinho (who was brilliant for Roma this season) is a frightening attack on paper. Will be them v Italy and Columbia v England in the last sixteen.

To be honest, this is one of the only times I've *really* wanted England to do well. Previously I've thought "ugh, terrible football - what does this deserve?" but they're playing some good stuff. That and I'm obviously horribly biased towards all of the Liverpool players...

Want Sturridge to do well, Gerrard and Sterling, too. If they play as good as they did against Italy, they can win. But if Suarez has a great game, Uruguay could give any team trouble.

I'll go ahead and predict England 2 - 1 Uruguay, but I don't think it'll be easy. When is it ever easy with England?