Monday June 22 Links and Banter
And we're back around the horn
About Yesterday's Games
Spain 4, Saudi Arabia 0
MaximumSam: Well, Spain did us all a solid and ended it quickly so I could mow the grass.
Kind of...: Rumors of Spain's demise have been greatly exaggerated.
HoustonBoiler: This is the Spain that we expected to see. Plus, Lamine Yamal scored his first goal in World Cup competition. I expect that we'll see many more before he's finished.
Belgium 0, Iran 0
MaximumSam: All hail Iran and their glorious victory over Belgium.
Kind of...: It's a bit sad, but Kevin De Bruyne can't catch up with the high fastball anymore. I've been saying Belgium and Portugal are the two most likely to crash out, but a win against New Zealand will still get Belgium through. In a 32-team Cup, the Belgians would be toast (waffled?).
Uruguay 2, Cape Verde (!!) 2
MaximumSam: Wonderful game, and Cape has a real shot at going through as they take on Saudi Arabia next while Uruguay faces Spain.
Kind of...: Yeah, it's real now. Spain has been activated, and Cape Verde sure looks like a live bet to beat Saudi Arabia. They weren't reckless, but they also didn't stay in a shell all game the way they did against Spain. Without trying to take away any shine, Uruguay was better most of the match and absolutely gave away Cape Verde's second goal. Then again, Cape Verde seems to have a reasonable argument that they should have been awarded a late PK. Cape Verde has a clear path to advancing, and Uruguay is behind the eight ball. That's soccer.
HoustonBoiler: Undefeated Cape Verde is one of the stories of this World Cup after having faced both Spain and Uruguay. They have a real shot at beating Saudi Arabia, going undefeated in group play, and advancing to the round of 32 in their first World Cup.
Egypt 3, New Zealand 1
Kind of...: Egypt spotted the Kiwis as first half goal, then roared back in the second. They control the group right now. Not going to win the cup, but don't sleep on this squad.
HoustonBoiler: This was a match that the Pharaohs needed to win and thanks to a big second half, they did. As Kind Of... said, they now control Group G.
Today's Matchups
Group J: Argentina (1-0-0) v Austria (1-0-0)
Atlanta, GA. 1:00 PM ET, 12:00 PM GTZ.
MaximumSam: Crummy work getting in the way of watching this game. Luckily, I think I can get Telemundo in my office, so I expect a lot of people around my office wondering what the hell is going on.
Kind of...: Winner is 98% likely to win the group, and very well might have that at 100% after the Jordan/Algeria match later tonight. Argentina is going to be the winner.
HoustonBoiler: What Kind Of... said.
AlmaOtter: Man, Austria/Argentina. Really a How it Started/How it's Going for 1930s European politics, if you catch my drift.
Group I: France (1-0-0) v Iraq (0-0-1)
Santa Clara, CA. 5:00 ET, 4:00 GTZ.
MaximumSam: I am picturing a very well manicured French woman being given a cheesesteak the size of her head.
Kind of...: Taking MaximumSam's imagery and making it farcical, I am picturing the same woman in line at Geno's in South Philly ordering a steak au fromage.
Kylian Mbappe probably has at least on World Cup left in him. Lionel Messi does not. Mbappe is two goals behind Messi at present. Can Mbappe catch Messi at THIS cup? Bears watching.
HoustonBoiler: France is a much better team and should be able to name their score. The question is how many goals will Kylian Mbappe score today?
Group I: Norway (1-0-0) v Senegal (0-0-1)
Miami, Florida. 8:00 ET, 7:00 GTZ
Kind of...: This has to be the best group stage matchup of teams not expected to win their group. Both are good enough to at least make the quarters, given the right draw. But one is likely to get a third place draw and have to do things the hard way. Senegal is arguably deeper, and inarguably better suited to deal with what Miami offers, weather-wise. Norway has Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. Fun!
HoustonBoiler: I love the Norwegian fans.
Group J: Jordan (0-0-1) v Algeria (0-0-1)
Vancouver, Canada. 11:00 ET, 10:00 PM GTZ
Kind of...: It's fitting this one is being played in the Pacific Northwest because it's the equivalent of two trees falling in a forest. If Algeria wins, they could get through with a result against Austria. But Jordan has Argentina next. Even if they rest of players, I'm not sure Jordan is likely to take a point there.
HoustonBoiler: Yes, with a win, Algeria will still have a shot at moving on. However, the only thing I can guarantee is that I will be asleep when this match is played.
