I noticed that in a previous game with the ref counting it down on a throw in. much needed

One of my sons played both soccer and football for a big 6A school that makes playoff runs in both every year. He had at least a half dozen concussions in soccer and zero in football despite being a safety, PR, KOR. When you have to make all the runs for 80 minutes, and you get knocked, you need a moment to gather yourself so the ref and trainers don't make you leave the field. It's a very different mentality and people don't realize how physical soccer really is. The rolling around is theatrics, but it's also gathering moments to help yourself and your teammates slow heart rates for a few seconds

This has been an exciting game so far. Lots of opportunities for both teams. Nice goal by new Zealand just now

there is like 40nminutes left and this hen is yapping about first place

terrible goal keeping btw

Best cross of the tourney so far. Back and forth

Equalized

the terrorist celebration ain't gonna go over well

Way to use your head.

I'm sure he didnt mean it that way, but Americans are gonna take that celebration the wrong way

That was an explosive play from Iran.

MookieBlaylock said:

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there is like 40nminutes left and this hen is yapping about first place

terrible goal keeping btw

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Yeah..she just drones on and on and on.

This has been a surprisingly entertaining match.

Have to think NZs super low ranking is down to all the Oceania teams they play. They've been fun to watch

Neither keeper looks good.

Peter Piper said:

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MookieBlaylock said:

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there is like 40nminutes left and this hen is yapping about first place

terrible goal keeping btw

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Yeah..she just drones on and on and on.

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I've been watching a lot of the matches on Telemundo. Announcers are much better, plus "GOOOOOAAAALLL".

wangus12 said:

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How can you not root for New Zealand. The true underdogs as the lowest ranked team in the tournament plus their country is awesome

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Middle Earth for real

If this result holds, all matches today would end in draws. What are the odds of that?

Peter Piper said:

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If this result holds, all matches today would end in draws. What are the odds of that?

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Incredibly low especially when you factor in the teams involved.

Asking cus I'm dumb: So if this game ends in a stalemate, then all four matches today will have ended in draws. Is that a good or bad thing or does it not really matter?

You beat me to it. Good wavelengths.

AgFrogfan said:

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Asking cus I'm dumb: So if this game ends in a stalemate, then all four matches today will have ended in draws. Is that a good or bad thing or does it not really matter?

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I don't think it matters. There are no draws in the knockouts. The point of the group stage is the best collection of results in 3 games.

AgFrogfan said:

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Asking cus I'm dumb: So if this game ends in a stalemate, then all four matches today will have ended in draws. Is that a good or bad thing or does it not really matter?

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All 4 matches have been pretty fun games to watch.

my ears are bleeding - unbearable 90 minutes of nagging

AgFrogfan said:

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Asking cus I'm dumb: So if this game ends in a stalemate, then all four matches today will have ended in draws. Is that a good or bad thing or does it not really matter?

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for group H I think it just means Belgium and Egypt remain in good shape to advance

Gordo14 said:

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AgFrogfan said:

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Asking cus I'm dumb: So if this game ends in a stalemate, then all four matches today will have ended in draws. Is that a good or bad thing or does it not really matter?

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I don't think it matters. There are no draws in the knockouts. The point of the group stage is the best collection of results in 3 games.

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Just something useless that I learned a few days ago, coincidentally.

If a match ended with a penalty shootout, the game is actually recorded as a draw. The shootout only determines who advances, not who wins or loses.

oh no said:

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AgFrogfan said:

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Asking cus I'm dumb: So if this game ends in a stalemate, then all four matches today will have ended in draws. Is that a good or bad thing or does it not really matter?

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for group H I think it just means Belgium and Egypt remain in good shape to advance

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Aren't Belgium and Egypt Group G?

Yes I meant G

oh no said:

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Yes I meant G

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Gotcha, so at this point we have Groups B, G, & H all tied at 1 pt. That to me seems like this is a much more equal playing field than in the past.

It's a fair amount more luck than anything else.

Several teams in those groups dramatically outperformed (or the other dramatically underperformed) their rankings.

fig96 said:

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It's a fair amount more luck than anything else.

Several teams in those groups dramatically outperformed (or the other dramatically underperformed) their rankings.

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Yeah I can see that, but it also seems like the format jump from 32 to 48 has allowed a bit more parity on the pitch. Cream always rises to the top but at this point I have yet to see a program that looks like a world beater.

I'm very excited to see how Groups I, J, K, et L round out this 1st stage. Just think, four years ago we stopped at H!

[Side note: I just don't understand the backlash from many posters (purists?) on here regarding the hydration breaks. Not once so far have I seen a player pull a "cramp up" flop like we see in american football all the darn time. Plus it gives me a minute to use the lavatory and grab another icy cold beverage. = ) 'Merica!]

It's a great time to be alive! We get to experience North America at the center of the global stage for the most popular global sport on Earth.