next soccer question

[pdub]

"I also can't recall what minute it was, but there was an Iran shot attempt in the second half that would have been a foul and possible yellow card if it were in the middle of the pitch"

There wasn't one play in the box worth a yellow card or a penalty kick.
Stop.

On top of this, Iran had a good team.
We were in one of the tougher groups from top to bottom, with all 4 teams ranked in FIFA's top 20.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Guys I'm not even that mad at Gregg. Could his 2nd half tactics be better. Absolutely.

I'm just mad that we are content with Group of 16 appearances. We can be better than that! I think the mentality is holding us back from there. The gap from us to like Brazil has probably never been closer. Maybe except for 2009 Confederations Cup win over Spain in the semis.

I don't really follow but my friends that do were in agreement last night that if Iran scores, which given the nature of the game and some of Iran's shot attempts, that's a matter of inches on the kick, Gregg would have absolutely been fired for not advancing when all they had to do was beat the 4th ranked team in the group. Coaching life is crazy, an inch or two changes everything.

I also can't recall what minute it was, but there was an Iran shot attempt in the second half that would have been a foul and possible yellow card if it were in the middle of the pitch. Bad call or not, a single call could have also changed the coach's future. Rough job. Coaches have been fired in the middle of the World Cup.

I mean, it's very likely Berhalter won't have the job much longer after the World Cup anyway. Very rarely do national teams allow managers to stick around for two World Cup cycles. With the way it has blown up in the USA's face the last couple times, I'd wager Berhalter lays the foundation now for someone else to flourish with this squad in 2026. The expectations will be different in 2026. The goal won't be just getting out of the group then.

Yeah that’s probably true. Just changes the way he’ll be remembered then.

[CrimsonNBlue]

France are clearly checked out. Haven't seen odds, but they'd be my favorite going in. Probably means they'll lose before the championship match.

[pdub]

I think with this young group, and having home field advantage, 2026's goals will be justifiably higher.

Think KUBB in 2007 but hopefully we aren't matched up with Mexico ( UCLA ) in California.

[NewtonHawk11]

Are the Socceroos going to make it!?

[NewtonHawk11]

SOCCEROOS!

(Although I like Denmark)

[CrimsonNBlue]

Love it. Have several friends in Denmark, so like them too, but not everyone can go.


Mexico probably win today, but Argentina surely get a draw.

[pdub]

Poland just needs to not loose by more than a goal, they have a + 4 goal differential on Mexico. I don't see Mexico winning by 3 goals.

Our ideal scenario is Poland/Argentina end in a tie and Mexico wins by two goals or less ( or ties/or looses ).

[NewtonHawk11]

Group C might come down to a drawing. The suspense!

[UnholyLivingDead]

Right now Poland would be through because they have fewer cards than Mexico. Going to be a crazy final 10 minutes here.

[CrimsonNBlue]

craziness.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Argentina over. Mexico have 3 minutes to score.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Later Mexico!

n/m, SA goal didn't matter. Mexico have 1 minute.

[pdub]

Byeeeeee!

Hate to see it.

[pdub]

It does matter, they are negative 1 in goal differential.
Poland 0.

[UnholyLivingDead]

Saudi Arabia's goal means the tiebreaker is decided on goal differential rather than fair play points, which is nice. Later, Mexico.

[CrimsonNBlue]

Saudi Arabia's goal means the tiebreaker is decided on goal differential rather than fair play points, which is nice. Later, Mexico.

Yes, but if Mexico would have scored and won 3-1, they would have advanced because they would have had more goals scored than Poland.

If game would have stayed 2-0, Poland would have advanced based on fair play points.

Complicated as hell.

[NewtonHawk11]

See ya puntos

[NewtonHawk11]

Saudi Arabia's goal means the tiebreaker is decided on goal differential rather than fair play points, which is nice. Later, Mexico.

If Mexico would have scored and won 3-1, they would have advanced because they would have had more goals scored than Poland.

Complicated as hell.

Goes in order
Goal Differential
Goals Scored
Fair Play

Mexico if they scored once more, would have moved on with more goals scored.

Such a fun afternoon.

[pdub]

I really wish the game had just stayed 2-0 and Poland advanced on fair play points.
Woulda been great.