[cardcrimson]

I was very struck by this too. It was unusual, especially for a final game in a WC group match with both teams advancement on the line.

I think it probably has to do with the Iranians' quiet dissent against the regime, notably not singing the anthem, before their families were threatened and they sang today. 

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1597667302870519808?s=20&t=aYMC3PSEV3AI5DpgC5lWvQ[/tweet]

Aside from an Italian sportswriter's conjecture, how do we know this to be actually true? Many would like it to be true, and that in itself seems to be the basis for the best internet theories.

[cardcrimson]

I was very struck by this too. It was unusual, especially for a final game in a WC group match with both teams advancement on the line.

I think it probably has to do with the Iranians' quiet dissent against the regime, notably not singing the anthem, before their families were threatened and they sang today. 

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1597667302870519808?s=20&t=aYMC3PSEV3AI5DpgC5lWvQ[/tweet]

Aside from an Italian sportswriter's conjecture, how do we know this to be actually true? Many would like it to be true, and that in itself seems to be the basis for the best internet theories.

[newguy]

a great victory, and a great goal by Pulisic, taking an injury in the process.

Listed as an "abdominal injury" LOLOLOL he took a knee to the nads

that's gotta sting.

[newguy]

a great victory, and a great goal by Pulisic, taking an injury in the process.

Listed as an "abdominal injury" LOLOLOL he took a knee to the nads

that's gotta sting.

[ca245]

Wild day at the WC today.
First, Morocco won Group F, against all expectations, with Croatia (a finalist in the previous WC) coming in 2nd. But Morocco played well and deserved to win its Group.
The last matches in Group E were Japan-Spain and Germany-Costa Rica, with all four teams alive. There were 7 goals combined scored in the second halves of the two games and, depending on whether the scores at a particular moment held up, the teams projected to go through were be Germany & Spain, then Japan & Spain, then Costa Rica and Spain, and, in the end, it was Japan and Spain.
For Spain, ironically, its 1-2 loss to Japan was the best possible result, better than either a win or a tie. (a) By finishing 2nd in Group E, its next opponent is Morocco instead of Croatia, as most would still regard Croatia as the tougher foe. Had Spain won its group, it would play Croatia. (b) The loss eliminated Germany on goal differential, meaning that Spain doesn't have to worry about meeting Germany again in a later knock-out match, if both make it that far. (A tie or win would have advanced Germany at the expense of Japan.)
For Germany, the failure to advance to the knockout rounds for the second WC in a row was, in the words of one of its players, an "absolute catastrophe." The press will be savage.

[ca245]

Wild day at the WC today.
First, Morocco won Group F, against all expectations, with Croatia (a finalist in the previous WC) coming in 2nd. But Morocco played well and deserved to win its Group.
The last matches in Group E were Japan-Spain and Germany-Costa Rica, with all four teams alive. There were 7 goals combined scored in the second halves of the two games and, depending on whether the scores at a particular moment held up, the teams projected to go through were be Germany & Spain, then Japan & Spain, then Costa Rica and Spain, and, in the end, it was Japan and Spain.
For Spain, ironically, its 1-2 loss to Japan was the best possible result, better than either a win or a tie. (a) By finishing 2nd in Group E, its next opponent is Morocco instead of Croatia, as most would still regard Croatia as the tougher foe. Had Spain won its group, it would play Croatia. (b) The loss eliminated Germany on goal differential, meaning that Spain doesn't have to worry about meeting Germany again in a later knock-out match, if both make it that far. (A tie or win would have advanced Germany at the expense of Japan.)
For Germany, the failure to advance to the knockout rounds for the second WC in a row was, in the words of one of its players, an "absolute catastrophe." The press will be savage.

[dabigv13]

I was very struck by this too. It was unusual, especially for a final game in a WC group match with both teams advancement on the line.

I think it probably has to do with the Iranians' quiet dissent against the regime, notably not singing the anthem, before their families were threatened and they sang today. 

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1597667302870519808?s=20&t=aYMC3PSEV3AI5DpgC5lWvQ[/tweet]

Aside from an Italian sportswriter's conjecture, how do we know this to be actually true? Many would like it to be true, and that in itself seems to be the basis for the best internet theories.

The tweet is referring to other reporting, it was not this one person's conjecture.

Here's something from CNN that took me 3 seconds to Google for you.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/...index.html

CNN
—
The families of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been threatened with imprisonment and torture if the players fail to “behave” ahead of the match against the USA on Tuesday, a source involved in the security of the games said.

Following the refusal of Iranian players to sing the nation’s national anthem in their opening match against England on November 21, the source said that the players were called to a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The source said that they were told that their families would face “violence and and torture” if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.

Did you watch any Iran games and see them sing (or not) during the anthem?

[dabigv13]

I was very struck by this too. It was unusual, especially for a final game in a WC group match with both teams advancement on the line.

I think it probably has to do with the Iranians' quiet dissent against the regime, notably not singing the anthem, before their families were threatened and they sang today. 

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1597667302870519808?s=20&t=aYMC3PSEV3AI5DpgC5lWvQ[/tweet]

Aside from an Italian sportswriter's conjecture, how do we know this to be actually true? Many would like it to be true, and that in itself seems to be the basis for the best internet theories.

The tweet is referring to other reporting, it was not this one person's conjecture.

Here's something from CNN that took me 3 seconds to Google for you.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/...index.html

CNN
—
The families of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been threatened with imprisonment and torture if the players fail to “behave” ahead of the match against the USA on Tuesday, a source involved in the security of the games said.

Following the refusal of Iranian players to sing the nation’s national anthem in their opening match against England on November 21, the source said that the players were called to a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The source said that they were told that their families would face “violence and and torture” if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.

Did you watch any Iran games and see them sing (or not) during the anthem?

[cardcrimson]

I was very struck by this too. It was unusual, especially for a final game in a WC group match with both teams advancement on the line.

I think it probably has to do with the Iranians' quiet dissent against the regime, notably not singing the anthem, before their families were threatened and they sang today. 

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1597667302870519808?s=20&t=aYMC3PSEV3AI5DpgC5lWvQ[/tweet]

Aside from an Italian sportswriter's conjecture, how do we know this to be actually true? Many would like it to be true, and that in itself seems to be the basis for the best internet theories.

The tweet is referring to other reporting, it was not this one person's conjecture.

Here's something from CNN that took me 3 seconds to Google for you.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/...index.html

CNN
—
The families of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been threatened with imprisonment and torture if the players fail to “behave” ahead of the match against the USA on Tuesday, a source involved in the security of the games said.

Following the refusal of Iranian players to sing the nation’s national anthem in their opening match against England on November 21, the source said that the players were called to a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The source said that they were told that their families would face “violence and and torture” if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.

Did you watch any Iran games and see them sing (or not) during the anthem?

Wish I could comment, but alas. . . .

[cardcrimson]

I was very struck by this too. It was unusual, especially for a final game in a WC group match with both teams advancement on the line.

I think it probably has to do with the Iranians' quiet dissent against the regime, notably not singing the anthem, before their families were threatened and they sang today. 

[Tweet]https://twitter.com/tancredipalmeri/status/1597667302870519808?s=20&t=aYMC3PSEV3AI5DpgC5lWvQ[/tweet]

Aside from an Italian sportswriter's conjecture, how do we know this to be actually true? Many would like it to be true, and that in itself seems to be the basis for the best internet theories.

The tweet is referring to other reporting, it was not this one person's conjecture.

Here's something from CNN that took me 3 seconds to Google for you.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/...index.html

CNN
—
The families of Iran’s World Cup soccer team have been threatened with imprisonment and torture if the players fail to “behave” ahead of the match against the USA on Tuesday, a source involved in the security of the games said.

Following the refusal of Iranian players to sing the nation’s national anthem in their opening match against England on November 21, the source said that the players were called to a meeting with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The source said that they were told that their families would face “violence and and torture” if they did not sing the national anthem or if they joined any political protest against the Tehran regime.

Did you watch any Iran games and see them sing (or not) during the anthem?

Wish I could comment, but alas. . . .

[newguy]

Wild day at the WC today.
First, Morocco won Group F, against all expectations, with Croatia (a finalist in the previous WC) coming in 2nd. But Morocco played well and deserved to win its Group.
The last matches in Group E were Japan-Spain and Germany-Costa Rica, with all four teams alive. There were 7 goals combined scored in the second halves of the two games and, depending on whether the scores at a particular moment held up, the teams projected to go through were be Germany & Spain, then Japan & Spain, then Costa Rica and Spain, and, in the end, it was Japan and Spain.
For Spain, ironically, its 1-2 loss to Japan was the best possible result, better than either a win or a tie. (a) By finishing 2nd in Group E, its next opponent is Morocco instead of Croatia, as most would still regard Croatia as the tougher foe. Had Spain won its group, it would play Croatia. (b) The loss eliminated Germany on goal differential, meaning that Spain doesn't have to worry about meeting Germany again in a later knock-out match, if both make it that far. (A tie or win would have advanced Germany at the expense of Japan.)
For Germany, the failure to advance to the knockout rounds for the second WC in a row was, in the words of one of its players, an "absolute catastrophe." The press will be savage.

There are certain online bulletin boards that are going absolutely bonkers over Japan's win.  They emerged from what was arguably the Group of Death.  

Beating both Spain and Germany in the World Cup is an brobdingnagian accomplishment.  And they came from behind in both of those games, which is no easy task.

[newguy]

Wild day at the WC today.
First, Morocco won Group F, against all expectations, with Croatia (a finalist in the previous WC) coming in 2nd. But Morocco played well and deserved to win its Group.
The last matches in Group E were Japan-Spain and Germany-Costa Rica, with all four teams alive. There were 7 goals combined scored in the second halves of the two games and, depending on whether the scores at a particular moment held up, the teams projected to go through were be Germany & Spain, then Japan & Spain, then Costa Rica and Spain, and, in the end, it was Japan and Spain.
For Spain, ironically, its 1-2 loss to Japan was the best possible result, better than either a win or a tie. (a) By finishing 2nd in Group E, its next opponent is Morocco instead of Croatia, as most would still regard Croatia as the tougher foe. Had Spain won its group, it would play Croatia. (b) The loss eliminated Germany on goal differential, meaning that Spain doesn't have to worry about meeting Germany again in a later knock-out match, if both make it that far. (A tie or win would have advanced Germany at the expense of Japan.)
For Germany, the failure to advance to the knockout rounds for the second WC in a row was, in the words of one of its players, an "absolute catastrophe." The press will be savage.

There are certain online bulletin boards that are going absolutely bonkers over Japan's win.  They emerged from what was arguably the Group of Death.  

Beating both Spain and Germany in the World Cup is an brobdingnagian accomplishment.  And they came from behind in both of those games, which is no easy task.

[dabigv13]

That like 25 minute period of time in the second half where it went from Spain and Germany qualifying, to Spain and Japan qualifying, to Japan and Costa Rica qualifying, then back to Japan and Spain was immensely entertaining.

One more reason it would be a shame if FIFA proceeds with 3 team groups in the expanded 2026 cup, these final day of groups with both games going on simultaneously can be very exciting.

Spain did not look like they were pressing all out at the end there. Did they prefer Morocco to Croatia in the next round once that seemed most likely?

[dabigv13]

That like 25 minute period of time in the second half where it went from Spain and Germany qualifying, to Spain and Japan qualifying, to Japan and Costa Rica qualifying, then back to Japan and Spain was immensely entertaining.

One more reason it would be a shame if FIFA proceeds with 3 team groups in the expanded 2026 cup, these final day of groups with both games going on simultaneously can be very exciting.

Spain did not look like they were pressing all out at the end there. Did they prefer Morocco to Croatia in the next round once that seemed most likely?

[ca245]

Spain did not look like they were pressing all out at the end there. Did they prefer Morocco to Croatia in the next round once that seemed most likely?

They probably prefer to play Morocco. Also, this means they avoid Brazil as a likely quarter-final opponent, if I read the brackets correctly.

[ca245]

Spain did not look like they were pressing all out at the end there. Did they prefer Morocco to Croatia in the next round once that seemed most likely?

They probably prefer to play Morocco. Also, this means they avoid Brazil as a likely quarter-final opponent, if I read the brackets correctly.

[cardcrimson]

And down goes Brazil. Loses 4-2 in penalty kicks. The Croatian goalie made a nice save to start, the last Brazilian hit the post. Gave over. The Brazilians thought they had it when Neymar scored with 15 minutes left in extra time. But Petkovic equalized it with four minutes left. Great finish to the game.

[cardcrimson]

And down goes Brazil. Loses 4-2 in penalty kicks. The Croatian goalie made a nice save to start, the last Brazilian hit the post. Gave over. The Brazilians thought they had it when Neymar scored with 15 minutes left in extra time. But Petkovic equalized it with four minutes left. Great finish to the game.

[Phogge]

Boze moj!!!!!

[Phogge]

Boze moj!!!!!

[washingtonismoney]

life, death, taxes, croatia winning a PK shootout

[washingtonismoney]

life, death, taxes, croatia winning a PK shootout

[BostonCard]

And Messi being Messi.  Only saw about a minute as the match was playing in the background, but Messi with the perfect feed for the goal.

BC

[BostonCard]

And Messi being Messi.  Only saw about a minute as the match was playing in the background, but Messi with the perfect feed for the goal.

BC

[Austroturf]

Yes, and the Dutch haven't managed to get much offense going yet.  45 minutes remaining.

[Austroturf]

Yes, and the Dutch haven't managed to get much offense going yet.  45 minutes remaining.

[Mick]

Mrs. Mick is Croatian and the boys are 1/2 Croatian. We're veeeeeeery happy in our house...

[Mick]

Mrs. Mick is Croatian and the boys are 1/2 Croatian. We're veeeeeeery happy in our house...

[PVTree]

I had Brazil winning it all.

[PVTree]

I had Brazil winning it all.

[Austroturf]

Mrs. Mick is Croatian and the boys are 1/2 Croatian. We're veeeeeeery happy in our house...

The Croatian community in Vienna was going nuts in the city's 16th district this evening.

[Austroturf]

Mrs. Mick is Croatian and the boys are 1/2 Croatian. We're veeeeeeery happy in our house...

The Croatian community in Vienna was going nuts in the city's 16th district this evening.

[BostonCard]

And the Netherlands ties it in the 11th minute of extra time in the second half.  Argentina was up 2-nil into the 80th minute.

BC

[BostonCard]

And the Netherlands ties it in the 11th minute of extra time in the second half.  Argentina was up 2-nil into the 80th minute.

BC

[Austroturf]

And the Netherlands ties it in the 11th minute of extra time in the second half.  Argentina was up 2-nil into the 80th minute.

BC

Overtime just beginning.

[Austroturf]

And the Netherlands ties it in the 11th minute of extra time in the second half.  Argentina was up 2-nil into the 80th minute.

BC

Overtime just beginning.

[BostonCard]

And we are going to penalties.

Interesting piece in the WSJ:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-p...1670449695

BC

---

Argentina through to face Croatia.

BC

[BostonCard]

And we are going to penalties.

Interesting piece in the WSJ:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-p...1670449695

BC

---

Argentina through to face Croatia.

BC

[Austroturf]

And we are going to penalties.

Interesting piece in the WSJ:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-p...1670449695

BC

---

Argentina through to face Croatia.

BC

Argentina was the better team in this match (even though it had to be decided in penalty kicks).

[Austroturf]

And we are going to penalties.

Interesting piece in the WSJ:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/world-cup-p...1670449695

BC

---

Argentina through to face Croatia.

BC

Argentina was the better team in this match (even though it had to be decided in penalty kicks).