#usa2026

FIRST HALF

in comments

HALFTIME

Again the only issue with Brasil is finishing. Brasil has a great history of goal scorers, from Pele to Neymar. But, Brasil in the Neymar era and in the beginning of the Vini era simply don't have the goal scorers. Great footballers, but not necessarily the goal scorers. And that allows opponents opportunity. I go back to the Copa America argentina won in the Maracana . Brasil dominated all the statistics but never scored. I argue Endrick needs to be in. But I don't mind Ancelotti's idea of Endrick being a second half impact substitution.

SECOND HALF

in comments

FINAL

PRE MATCH

The two things I have not seen is Vini + Raphinha work well together. Vini works brilliantly with rodrygo, raphinha works brilliantly with yamal. But can these two work brilliantly with each other.

PAqueta is in the ten role. He has to be his best, most creative, while not losing the ball.

Morocco is a team on a mission. Their recent run in the cup of nations ended in such a dislike by other members of CAF, Morocco will not want to exit the world cup. The good news for all strong teams is the group stages have the first two and the best six of the third place so , moving on to the next stage is only not going to happen for the poorest of the poort in this edition.

Lastly, I prefer Endrick as the number nine, but we will see...

FIRST HALF IN COMMENTS

HALFTIME

Slow start from brasil. Morocco's coach was told to make morocco more attacking but winning isn't about attack.

Casemiro + Ibaenez out , Danilo + Fabinho in

https://www.tumblr.com/rmfantasysetpieces1/819344871191199744/brazil-vs-morocco-06132026/replies/819348879324676096

SECOND HALF IN COMMENTS

END THOUGHTS

Lovely match, Brasil started the tournament cooly, Morocco started hot, but at the end, an even game.

Things teams need to improve

Brasil

Got to start sharp and fast paced. But has to have more clinical finishing. Thiago missed two assist , one a cross from Vini the other a throw in from Paqueta, he has to be on target for a number 9. I like thiago's pressing, but his finishing isnt enough. I will like the youth movement to go against Haiti + Scotland.

Morocco

France vs Spain

Argentina vs England

Looking at the expansion of teams this world cup and the further expansion of more teams, all which will benefit U.E.F.A. I think the world cup will be dominated by U.E.F.A. teams, not because their the best, but simple arithmetic odds. Cup play is not about consistency as much as being in form on the day, no team can guarantee form on the day, and sequentially , any team can be knocked off, so the confederation with the most entries, which is by far U.E.F.A. will always have the gamblers advantage of being in the latter stages.

U.E.F.A. has sixteen slots, C.A.F. plus A.F.C. plus Co.n.c.a.c.a.f. have nine or six . Con.me.bol has six which means conmebol has a statistical disadvantage but also means conmebol teams reaching the latter stages is actually a good gamble, in that you can profit off the house.

Cape Verde can play!

FIRST HALF

Cape Verde play a system consistently, it isn't open , it is from a defensive set. With no shame. Messi scored, but Cape Verde played their system. Cape Verde is never trying to win possession, Cape Verde is trying to reduce opponents opportunities and have patience with their attack.

HALFTIME

SECOND HALF

Cape Verde played consistently, and survived weighted officiating. They should had the last kick of regulation time

ADDED EXTRA TIME

a handball goal is what knocked cape verde out.

FINAL

South Africa , Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR COngo, all are out. All of them were competitive, none were overwhelmed, but none got the job done.

Morocco won but Morocco for me isn't a CAF team. They are a UEFA team that because of geography plays in CAF. they are like Turkey.

Looking at Portugal+ Netherlands+ Germany you see collections of players who are not a team.

Making a team comes in many forms.

Some teams like Cape Verde or Paraguay have no superstars so they are pure team focused on playing together at all times.

Some teams like Argentina are a superstar plus others, where the others work for the superstar.

Some teams like Senegal or Croatia are a blend of youth plus experience, where the senior players know their limits and the young players know how to help.