Russia '18 Match Simulation Thread

[Dazzle]

I'm enjoying this thread way more than a 28 year old man probably should be.

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 14 - Tunisia 0 England 0

England dominant in the first half, as expected, but not without Tunisia carving out a couple of chances too. In familiar fashion, England are out of ideas and fizzle out by the hour mark, and Tunisia are the more likely to find a winner from then on, even bringing on an extra striker. The draw is a fair result, although you can only imagine the root vegetables that virtual Gareth Southgate is being compared to.

Edit: almost forgot, but there's a short jump early on in this video due to the FIFA Launcher crashing. Once again, apologies, just imagine naked ladies, etc.

 

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 15 - Colombia 2 Japan 0

Japanese pressure from the off, but all it takes is a floated corner for Colombia to take advantage of their extra height. A pretty even game with chances for both sides, but Colombia always look more likely to score the second goal, which they do right at the death. The South Americans look solid but unspectacular; Japan are a tidy passing side, but appear too easy to knock off the ball to progress.

 

 

[eindhovendee]

Great thread.

Can't wait for the Belgium v Panama game now

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 16 - Poland 1 Senegal 2

Senegal are physically very strong, and the Poles struggle to retain possession as a result. The West Africans manage to get behind their opponents' defence on a few occasions, with Moussa Sow battering in the best of the chances midway through the first half. Poland have chances of their own, but poor finishing costs them dear. They quicken their passing game for the second half, and Lewandowski takes advantage of drifting Senegalese concentration to equalise, with a second chance hitting the post soon after. Senegal finally switch back on and retake the lead with a second for Sow, with Poland failing to convert their subsequent shots on goal.

Senegal look to have one foot in the second round, as they'll surely push the lightweight Japan around the park. Poland will need to lift their game to make an impression on Colombia.

 

 

[Matty-RCFC]

I think Senegal are real dark horses for the tournament. Some really decent players playing at high levels right across Europe in there.

[BFTD]

We're a quarter of the way through the virtual FIFA World Cup, and everyone has played once. Well done for sticking with it. The current group tables are below, and currently Luis Suarez tops the Golden Boot running after his hat-trick, with Jahanbakhsh of Iran, Griezmann of France, and Sow of Senegal following behind on two goals each. Only four yellow cards in all the games so far, and no penalties  

Time for at least one more match tonight after the real-life Peru v Denmark game, so look out for Russia v Egypt later on.

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 17 - Russia 1 Egypt 2

All Egypt for the first half-hour, taking the lead with a cracking cross-goal shot from Abdallah El-Said after a deflected cross. Russia pull themselves together for the remainder of the half, but don't manage to give the Egyptian keeper a proper test. Egypt go straight on the offense again in the second half and El-Said scores again, clinically picked out in front of the goal by Mahmoud Hassan, which prompts Russia to pull their fingers out and go at them full-tilt. Shots rain in on the Egyptian goal for the rest of the half, but most fly high or wide, and the few that don't are well saved by Egypt's El Hadary. It takes until the very end for Russia to score their first of the tournament, with Roman Zobnin firing it in to the far corner from fifteen yards. There's no time for Russia to create another meaningful chance, however, and they're left looking at an early exit.

Egypt look likely to progress now, with a draw against Saudi Arabia probably enough to clinch second place. Russia are staring down the barrel, with only victory against Uruguay being enough for them to have a chance of qualification, and even then they'll be looking for a favour from the Saudis at some point.

 

 

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 18 - Portugal 1 Morocco 0

The first half belongs to the North Africans, keeping Portugal at largely at bay while providing the majority of the attacking chances, albeit with nothing to cause too much trouble for Rui Patricio. Portugal finish the half by rattling the upright courtesy of Joao Moutinho, giving warning of the second half to come, which is all Portugal. The Iberians attack the Moroccan goal time after time, but are unable to properly test El Kajoui until an otherwise-misfiring Ricardo Quaresma manages to slip free of his marker and fire home from close range. Although Portugal couldn't add to the scoreline, there was little danger of an equaliser either.

Portugal set up nicely for what's likely to be a second place play-off against Iran in the final game; Morocco will be out if Spain and Iran draw, and would require a win against Spain and some favours to have a chance otherwise.

 

 

 

 

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 19 - Uruguay 3 Saudi Arabia 0

Like the previous game, the underdogs have the better of the first half, but are unable to convert their chances into goals. Uruguay only come into the game towards the end of the half, but are on top from then on, forcing Al Mayoof into a variety of quality saves, with several poor misses including a couple of cracks at the woodwork. Just when it seems that it won't be Uruguay's day, a simple turn and shot from Edinson Cavani rifles past the Saudi keeper, and the floodgates open. Saudi Arabia's defence is opened up soon after by a quick passing move, which Diego Laxalt gratefully finishes off with a point-blank pass into the net. No chance of a consolation for the Arabs, but Luis Suarez adds to his tally deep in injury time, with a high looping header from a corner that Al Mayoof hilariously allows to drift over his head. A poor end to an otherwise solid performance from the keeper.

Uruguay the first team to qualify, and will probably finish top of the group even if they lose to Russia. Saudi Arabia still not out of it, but will need to beat Egypt and hope Uruguay avoid defeat.

 

 

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 20 - Spain 1 Iran 0

Iran clearly set out to contain the big Spanish beast in this one, and do a decent job of it for the most part, although Iniesta does strike the woodwork twice in the first half. The breakthrough comes with twenty minutes to go, with Iniesta's replacement Thiago also striking the post, before the resultant passing move sees an agile Koke slip through the defence and fire the ball into the roof of the net. Thus marks the effective end to the game, with Spain happy just to be ahead, and Iran utterly devoid of threat going forward.

Spain qualify for the Second Round with a game to go, while Iran only need a draw against Portugal to finish above them on goal difference. Morocco are the first side to know they're away home after the third match, whatever happens.

Bit of chop at points in this video too; sorry folks. Bit weird that the shirt cloth keeps moving when everything else is paused  

 

[BFTD]

Match 21 - Denmark 2 Australia 0

No video for this one - no idea what happened, but the vidcap software didn't save anything  

A fairly even game during which the Danes gradually pulled away, while the Aussies struggled to threaten. The Danes waste two quality chances in the first half, with a looping header cracked against the post, closely followed by the first penalty of the tournament, meekly chipped into the keepers' hands with so little power that it may not even have reached the goalline. All square at half-time, the Danes waste little time taking the lead in the second half, with a Christian Eriksen run leaving him free in front of the keeper for a simple tap-in. Denmark have few clear chances from then on, but camp out in the Australian half, who are utterly impotent on the counter-attack. With minutes to go, a tired defence allows Yussuf Poulsen a mediocre shot from close in, which is just enough to creep into the net and secure the win.

Denmark in a comfortable position on four points, which may turn out to be enough without needing anything from France in the final game, although a point would definitely see them through. Australia are out, whatever happens.

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 22 - France 1 Peru 2

The first big surprise of the tournament, and well deserved. Peru hit the ground running with Guerrero slicing open the French defence and tucking the ball away, and have a few other decent attempts on goal before half-time, while France are curiously ineffective. They improve in the second half to a degree and begin to create chances, but Peru cope well and are still threatening themselves, as evidenced by fresh substitute Jefferson Farfan sprinting between the French centre-backs and forcing the ball past Lloris, despite his best efforts. With ten minutes to go, France pick the tempo up a notch and are rewarded when a Dembele shot from the edge of the box creeps in at the far post. All too late, as Peru close the game out and take an unexpected three points.

Peru will qualify for the next round with a draw against Australia, and can afford to lose if Denmark beat France, or even if France win by two or three more goals than Peru lose by, depending on how many goals Peru & Denmark each score. Phew. France will qualify with a win against the Danes, and would need Peru to lose if they draw.

 

 

[Blue_e'hm_A_Dee]

First off an excellent thread btw! 

I just won the online World Cup with Mexico, so fast in attack like in real life.. beating Southern Ireland 4-1 in R16 (I know I was like wtf) then beating France after extra time 3-2 in the quarters moving on to Belgium, crazy game 5-5 full time score with Hernandez scoring all 5 then Carlos Vela pops up in Extra time to make it 6-5 to send the Mexicans tae the final.. to face Brazil where they are victorious 4-2 full time score.. Mexico champions of the fucking world! Here’s a quick highlights from the final they’ve missed out my first goal with vela the c***s but whatever.. really hope they get to the semi or something for real, probably been the best team tae watch so far along with Spain 

 

[BFTD]

Mexico might have an unusually good tournament IRL too. Against the Germans, they looked as good as anything we've seen so far in their half of the draw.

[Blue_e'hm_A_Dee]

3 minutes ago, BigFatTabbyDave said:

Mexico might have an unusually good tournament IRL too. Against the Germans, they looked as good as anything we've seen so far in their half of the draw.

Yeah I think this could be the year they finally get to the quarters since they always seem to get put out at the Round of 16 stage.. if they top the group which seems highly possible now cause you’d think they’d beat South Korea then would only need a point against Sweden to achieve 1st place, then they’ll face the runners up in group E which could be against Serbia or Switzerland unless Brazil f**k up and finish 2nd which would be typical but canna see it.. tough games but very winnable for that Mexican side.

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 23 - Argentina 1 Croatia 1

A decent showing from both sides, with Argentina looking much improved from the Iceland game. An end-to-end struggle, with both defences winning out until a quick break on the half-hour stretches Croatia across their penalty area, and Maximiliano Meza sidefoots around the keeper into the far corner from twelve yards out. Chances at both ends for the rest of the match, but poor finishing is the order of the day, until a last-gasp Croatian attack in injury time finds Perisic on the edge of the penalty area, who rifles into the top corner without giving Guzman a sniff.

To qualify, Argentina might still need to beat Nigeria in their last game, depending on whether they and Croatia both beat Iceland (with a host of goalscoring permutations to go along with it). Croatia will most likely need to beat the Icelanders, though if Nigeria fail to beat Iceland then three draws could be enough to see them through in second place.

 

 

[BFTD]

Match 24 - Brazil 1 Costa Rica 0

No video again. I'm going to have to start checking that Plays.tv has actually created a video file once the game starts.

It's all Brazil, anyway, with only a selection of offsides, desperate defensive blocks, and poor finishing keeping the scores level. With twenty minutes to go, supersub Renato Augusto finds himself with the ball, in the box, onside, free of defenders, and actually manages to pull off a decent shot, and that's all that's required. The win's all that matters, but it's still surprising that Brazil can look so good in attack and only just scrape through.

They can still crash out early if they really, really want to, but it'll take defeat against Serbia and wins for the Swiss in their final two games for Brazil to have any chance of fucking it all up.  Costa Rica are hoping that the Swiss and Brazil both beat the Serbs, while they pick up three points against the Alpine adventurers, and even then they'd require a little jiggery-pokey in the goal difference column.

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 25 - Nigeria 0 Iceland 2

The Icelanders push forward from the off, and have the lead within five minutes, Gylfi Sigurdsson lashing home at the end of a passing move that cuts through the Nigerian defence. The lead established, Iceland seem happy to keep Nigeria at arm's length, with the few Nigerian chances falling foul of some dismal finishing. The Africans push forward more in the second half, but their finishing doesn't improve, and Iceland come closest to adding to the scoresheet when Bjarnason clips the outside of the post. Iceland are still a constant threat despite being on the back foot, and put the game to bed when last man William Troost-Ekong is caught in possession at the halfway line by Alfred Finnbogason, who sprints clear and slips the ball past Uzoho in goal. Nigeria finally grab a consolation on the counter in injury time, as Ndidi streaks past the defence and fires home, but his run begins a tad early and the goal's chalked off for offside.

Iceland in a good position now, requiring only a draw against Croatia to progress, although defeat will put them out. Nigeria do still have their destiny in their own hands, but will require a win against Argentina by at least two clear goals. 

 

 

[BFTD]

Spoiler

Match 26 - Serbia 1 Switzerland 2

A curiously flat performance from Serbia, punctuated by some deadly finishing from the Swiss. Both teams successfully block each other out until the midpoint of the first half, when Seferovic runs on to a probing forward pass and lashes home across the keeper into the top corner. Less than ten minutes later, a similar counter-attacking pass and run results in the Serbian defence being stretched to breaking point across their own area, and an unchallenged Xherdan Shaqiri is able to arrow a thunderbolt across into the opposite corner.

It's a mediocre game otherwise; the Swiss occasionally give Stojkovic a bit of work in goal, but there's no danger at the other end until the Serbs belatedly push forward with fifteen minutes to go. Soon after, the ball is returned into the penalty area from a corner, and Mitrovic manages to dig the ball out from under his feet and chip the ball around Yann Sommer. The Serbs try to press for an undeserved equalizer thereafter, but there's no danger of another goal for either side.

Switzerland nicely poised for qualification with a win against Costa Rica, although a draw would be enough if Brazil beat Serbia. It's technically possible for the Serbs to go through with a single-goal defeat to Brazil, but realistically they need to equal or better whatever the Swiss do in their final game.