Tuesday June 16 Links and Banter
It Only Tuesday
About Yesterday's Games
Spain 0, Cape Verde 0
MaximumSam: LOL suck it Spain!
Kind of...: Just wild. As a Wisconsin football fan, watching Cape Verde felt like watching the Wisconsin game last year where the punter was the leading passer on an infinite loop. Have a moment Blue Sharks!
AlmaOtter: And Spain had the gall to call Cape Verde "inferior" after the match. Señors, they tied your asses. Looks like they're exactly as good as you.
Belgium 1, Egypt 1
MaximumSam: Somehow every game was a draw but they were all pretty fun.
Kind of...: Belgium didn't look "old" so much as they sleptwalked through the first half. Over the last half hour they were clearly the better side. With the expanded knockout round, some teams aren't going to be punished as badly as they probably should for treating the group stage as a chance to play themselves into form. Belgium looks like they can advance without contemplating top gear.
Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1
Kind of...: Similar to Belgium/Egypt. Saudi Arabia was up early, but holding on for dear life by the end. A Uruguay loss would've really made the Spain/Uruguay match interesting. Now, though, if each win their next match, they'll be tied at 4, three points clear of Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. Alas...
Iran 2, New Zealand 2
Kind of...: This felt like New Zealand won a couple of 10-8 rounds with knockdowns out of nowhere, but Iran spent much of the rest of the time racking up 10-9 rounds on the basis of a better game plan and superior handspeed. Or something. Kiwis are pretty limited, but they, as well as everybody else in their group, have a point. They have no earned a draw in four consecutive World Cup matches and are 0-4-3 all-time.
Today's Matchups
France v Senegal
MetLife Stadium. East Rutherford, NJ. 3:00 PM ET, 2:00 AM GTZ.
Kind of...: Senegal is good. And the non-Germany (or not-playing-Curacao) European sides are really easing into things. Plus, France has a history of imploding in World Cups held outside of Europe, crashing out in the group stage in 2002 (South Korea/Japan) and 2010 (South Africa). But dear lord are they talented. Kylian Mbappe is a breathtaking creator AND makes James Harden look like a dogged defender, so keep an eye on him at all times.
MaximumSam: We've got MmmBop and the rest of Hanson invading New Jersey. No doubt Snooki will be on the call. Honestly, the broadcasts have been fine but could use a bit more personality. Telemundo is more fun and I have no idea what they are saying.
Iraq v Norway
Gilette Stadium. Foxborough, MA. 6:00 ET, 5:00 GTZ.
Kind of...: Eerling Haaland is not Norway's only star. Martin Odegaard is the captain of EPL champs Arsenal, and is probably more crucial to Norway's success. Even though this is their first World Cup since 1998, they're getting plenty of "team to make a deep run" talk, but are in a tough group. Either they or Senegal are likely getting third, which will make the knockouts a lot harder (but also a lot harder for their opponent). Given the group, they may press for three points tonight harder than some other sides have. Need four to feel comfortable and can't assume three of them will come against Senegal, much less France.
Argentina v Algeria
Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City, MO. 9:00 ET, 8:00 GTZ
MaximumSam: I was in Kansas City a couple weeks ago and saw them building a huge party plaza at the World War 1 museum for the World Cup. Because nothing says party like trench warfare.
AlmaOtter: That museum is one of my absolute favorites. But yeah, feels a little weird to be partying next to some artillery pieces.
Kind of...: Argentina are the defending champs and Messi is still around. Algeria will try hard. Whatever, here's some USMNT chum:
Austria v Jordan
Levi's Stadium. Santa Clara, CA. 12:00 AM ET, 11:00 PM GTZ
MaximumSam: Shouldn't Austria be playing by the World War 1 Museum?
Kind of: It's very good Jordan will be playing nowhere near the WWI museum. All due respect to these two squads, if you're going to start a match at midnight eastern, this one makes sense. If something wins, though, they are a viable candidate for the knockouts, and the third-place permutation machine is far too complicated to get into right now, so just assume that some group potential winner will be pretty happy. Could be USMNT! Won't know for a couple of weeks. This is a long event.
