The Official Fifa World Cup 2018 thread v1: Russian Spoons LOOM

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russia f'd up that last play it should have been a goal
 
Argentina v Iceland: Messi enters last chance saloon as minnows make their bow
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Lionel Messi starts perhaps his last World Cup campaign against the smallest nation in the tournament, as Iceland make their bow.

Iceland's first experience of a World Cup comes against an all-time great perhaps facing his last chance to win one as they take on Argentina and Lionel Messi in their Group D opener.

Many believe Barcelona superstar Messi needs to win the World Cup to rubber stamp his status as the best player in the history of the game.

He came agonisingly close in the 2014 World Cup, where he won player of the tournament but was unable to prevent Argentina from losing 1-0 to Germany in extra time in the final.


With goalkeeper Sergio Romero and forward Manuel Lanzini missing the competition through injury, the strain on the 30-year-old Messi's shoulders has arguably increased even further.

Messi is not the only worldwide sensation set to be on show in Saturday's clash at Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Iceland having captured the hearts and minds of football fans around the globe during their improbable run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Iceland's remarkable major tournament debut popularised the 'Viking clap' and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, now in sole charge having overseen their European Championship run alongside Lars Largerback, is confident they can repeat those heroics on the world stage.

Slovakia were the last debutants to qualify and reach the knockout stages in 2010, and Hallgrimsson sees a path to Iceland doing the same despite being drawn in a group that also contains a talented Croatia side and Nigeria.

"If people still think it's a kind of Cinderella story, and that in some way we don’t deserve it, then they underestimate us," Hallgrimsson told The Guardian.

"The group is equal and I think that's in our favour. If or when – I don't know which word to use – we get through there's not going to be any opponent much tougher than Argentina, Nigeria or Croatia.

"It gives you the feeling that, if we qualify for the last 16, we shouldn't fear anyone."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Argentina – Maximiliano Meza

Meza, who only has two caps to his name, is expected to be named on the opposite wing to Angel Di Maria and will be tasked with providing width as Messi occupies a more central role in Lanzini's absence. He will be under immediate pressure to perform and could quickly lose his place if he fails to do so.

Iceland – Johann Berg Gudmundsson

There will be plenty of attention on Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Gudmundsson is likely to be just as important to Iceland's hopes of replicating their 2016 heroics. Blessed with an impressive left foot and coming off an eight-assist season with Burnley, he will hope to provide a creative spark for Hallgrimsson's men.

KEY OPTA STATS:

- Argentina have gone past the first round in 11 of their last 12 World Cup appearances, the only exception coming in 2002. In fact, they have won 12 of their last 15 group games at the World Cup (D2 L1), their only defeat in that run coming against England in 2002 (0-1).

- Argentina have also topped their group in each of the last three World Cups. They have also won their opening game in each of the last six editions.

- Only Bolivia (18) scored fewer goals than Argentina (19) in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

- Iceland have qualified for their first World Cup and their second major tournament after Euro 2016 where they reached the quarter-finals. Slovakia were the last World Cup debutants to make it to the knockout stages of the tournament (2010).

- At 334,000 inhabitants when they qualified, Iceland are the smallest ever nation to reach the World Cup finals.
 
Neymar: I'm not worth world-record €222m


Paris Saint-Germain splashed a reported €222 million to sign Neymar from Barcelona, but the Brazil ace says he is not worth that much.

Neymar has claimed he is not worth the €222 million world-record fee Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona for his services.

The Brazil star impressed during his debut campaign with the Ligue 1 champions before his season was ended prematurely by injury.

It meant Neymar missed out as PSG failed to overturn a first-leg deficit to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 before going on to complete a domestic sweep.


The superstar forward, who is now back fit and preparing for the World Cup with Brazil in Russia, says he wants to be seen as a special player but concedes he was too costly.

"I'm not proud of the transfer fee, nor of the fact I'm the most expensive player ever," he told Spox.

"That's just money and nothing else. I cannot help it. Personally, I would have paid less for myself.

"I always wanted to be special. I really worked and sacrificed every day of my life to become a professional one day. That was the only dream I ever had.

"I dreamed of playing for Santos' first team, being invited to the national team and one day going to Europe. It was not foreseeable at the time that I would succeed, but I kept thinking about it. There was nothing else for me."

Neymar missed the humbling 7-1 defeat to Germany in Brazil's home World Cup four years ago but is still seeking to make amends in Russia.

"I felt as beaten as the team was and was affected like everyone else. The expectations on us in our own country were almost inhumanly high and Germany are an excellent opponent," the 25-year-old added.

"We knew it would be hard. Unfortunately, it went as it did. Now we finally have the opportunity to wipe out the last World Cup. Maybe we will meet Germany again - and then hopefully we will have a real revenge."

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on Sunday, before also facing Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.
 
Russia lucky they're in a shitty bracket otherwise they would be getting blown out in every game.
 
Kadafi said:
Neymar: I'm not worth world-record €222m


Paris Saint-Germain splashed a reported €222 million to sign Neymar from Barcelona, but the Brazil ace says he is not worth that much.

Neymar has claimed he is not worth the €222 million world-record fee Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona for his services.

The Brazil star impressed during his debut campaign with the Ligue 1 champions before his season was ended prematurely by injury.

It meant Neymar missed out as PSG failed to overturn a first-leg deficit to Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 before going on to complete a domestic sweep.


The superstar forward, who is now back fit and preparing for the World Cup with Brazil in Russia, says he wants to be seen as a special player but concedes he was too costly.

"I'm not proud of the transfer fee, nor of the fact I'm the most expensive player ever," he told Spox.

"That's just money and nothing else. I cannot help it. Personally, I would have paid less for myself.

"I always wanted to be special. I really worked and sacrificed every day of my life to become a professional one day. That was the only dream I ever had.

"I dreamed of playing for Santos' first team, being invited to the national team and one day going to Europe. It was not foreseeable at the time that I would succeed, but I kept thinking about it. There was nothing else for me."

Neymar missed the humbling 7-1 defeat to Germany in Brazil's home World Cup four years ago but is still seeking to make amends in Russia.

"I felt as beaten as the team was and was affected like everyone else. The expectations on us in our own country were almost inhumanly high and Germany are an excellent opponent," the 25-year-old added.

"We knew it would be hard. Unfortunately, it went as it did. Now we finally have the opportunity to wipe out the last World Cup. Maybe we will meet Germany again - and then hopefully we will have a real revenge."

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on Sunday, before also facing Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.
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He's right.
 
America's two mortal enemies collide!
 
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