***Official 2022 World Cup Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

Canada has out shot Belgium 20-5. I was not sure if Canada was intending to get in the final 3rd even 20 times all game. Kudos all around, even if this ends up a loss. Almost anyone who follows the game should be impressed.

 

[chet]

Canada has out shot Belgium 20-5. I was not sure if Canada was intending to get in the final 3rd even 20 times all game. Kudos all around, even if this ends up a loss. Almost anyone who follows the game should be impressed.

with everything except Canada's finishing ability.


GET THE ****ING BALL ON GOAL

 

[General Malaise]

Canada has out shot Belgium 20-5. I was not sure if Canada was intending to get in the final 3rd even 20 times all game. Kudos all around, even if this ends up a loss. Almost anyone who follows the game should be impressed.

with everything except Canada's finishing ability.


GET THE ****ING BALL ON GOAL

Feel like Belgium's keeper has been otherworldly today.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Canada has out shot Belgium 20-5. I was not sure if Canada was intending to get in the final 3rd even 20 times all game. Kudos all around, even if this ends up a loss. Almost anyone who follows the game should be impressed.

with everything except Canada's finishing ability.

Again, I know you couldn't care less now, but this is all a big dress rehearsal for 2026.

Believe me when I tell you this is going to pay dividends down the road (assuming they keep this level for the next two games). The players are going to get new and improved transfer opportunities. The level of coaching candidates, should Herdman move on, is going to increase in quality. Any dual nats are going to give Canada a long hard look in the future as a possible country they want to represent.

Lots and lots can come out of this even with a loss (again assuming they can play this way for the rest of the group stage).

 

[Zow]

Canada has out shot Belgium 20-5. I was not sure if Canada was intending to get in the final 3rd even 20 times all game. Kudos all around, even if this ends up a loss. Almost anyone who follows the game should be impressed.

with everything except Canada's finishing ability.

Again, I know you could care less now, but this is all a big dress rehearsal for 2026.

Believe me when I tell you this is going to pay dividends down the road (assuming they keep this level for the next two games). The players are going to get new and improved transfer opportunities. The level of coaching candidates, should Herdman move on, is going to increase in quality. Any dual nats are going to give Canada a long hard look in the future as a possible country they want to represent.

Lots and lots can come out of this even with a loss (again assuming they can play this way for the rest of the group stage).

Right, I do think he cares.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Up to 2.57 xG - sickening for Canada fans

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Up to 2.57 xG

Where are you tracking this in real time?

 

[dickey moe]

Hey Dave Chappelle!

 

[chet]

How do the refs make such JV mistakes? Sickening.

 

[B Maverick]

Canada has out shot Belgium 20-5. I was not sure if Canada was intending to get in the final 3rd even 20 times all game. Kudos all around, even if this ends up a loss. Almost anyone who follows the game should be impressed.

with everything except Canada's finishing ability.


GET THE ****ING BALL ON GOAL

Feel like Belgium's keeper has been otherworldly today.

Yeh that Courtois guy is pretty good.....

 

[NewlyRetired]

The most important thing the Canadian coach can do in convince his players they just outplayed a team stronger than either Morocco or Croatia. There are points to be had in the tournament if they play this way in their last two games.

The %'s are against them since so few teams advance when losing the first game, but those that do often played the best team in the group in game 1.

 

[B Maverick]

How do the refs make such JV mistakes? Sickening.

Sadly they bring refs from around the world so you won't always have refs who are used to this level.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Up to 2.57 xG

Where are you tracking this in real time?

Got it from a soccer follow on Twitter - also see below.

 

[The Gator]

Up to 2.57 xG - sickening for Canada fans

You must have a fantastic spreadsheet

 

[El Floppo]

I still stand behind them getting out of the group.

Wow though...for a team that sat and countered through qualifying (really well), seeing them on the front foot for most of this was crazy. Other than that approach, nothing about their performance surprised me here...except they tended to finish their handful of chances in qualifying and didn't here.

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

Up to 2.57 xG - sickening for Canada fans

You must have a fantastic spreadsheet

Here you go - finished at 2.61

Belgium vs Canada, World Cup Grp. F on Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 19:00 UTC

Belgium vs Canada, World Cup Grp. F on Wed, Nov 23, 2022, 19:00 UTC at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan (Ar-Rayyan), Qatar Check live results, H2H, match stats, lineups, player ratings, insights, team forms, shotmap, and highlights.

www.fotmob.com

 

[B Maverick]

Up to 2.57 xG

Where are you tracking this in real time?

Got it from a soccer follow on Twitter

You can't trust those soccer fans. Football fans you can though.

 

[El Floppo]

And that eustacio meg on de bruyne and almost goal... :chefskiss:

 

[encaitar]

I still stand behind them getting out of the group.

Wow though...for a team that sat and countered through qualifying (really well), seeing them on the front foot for most of this was crazy. Other than that approach, nothing about their performance surprised me here...except they tended to finish their handful of chances in qualifying and didn't here.

I was pretty shocked by their finishing honestly. I think it had to be nerves and snatching at chances on the biggest stage because David and Larin in particular were quite clinical in qualifying.

 

[The Gator]

That was a really fun game. Bummed for Canadia, they seem to be on the right track.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Saudi beating Argie and Canada losing this game seems so unfair based on how the games were played......

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow though...for a team that sat and countered through qualifying (really well), seeing them on the front foot for most of this was crazy.

And not just against another mid tier team either. They flipped their entire script against a top team in the world. Very impressive especially when you compare the pedigree of the players of each side.

I mean you had a Montreal player almost bossing a Man City superstar. outrageous

 

[El Floppo]

I still stand behind them getting out of the group.

Wow though...for a team that sat and countered through qualifying (really well), seeing them on the front foot for most of this was crazy. Other than that approach, nothing about their performance surprised me here...except they tended to finish their handful of chances in qualifying and didn't here.

I was pretty shocked by their finishing honestly. I think it had to be nerves and snatching at chances on the biggest stage because David and Larin in particular were quite clinical in qualifying.

And Taj. One of them was always finishing the occasional chance in qualifying.

 

[El Floppo]

Wow though...for a team that sat and countered through qualifying (really well), seeing them on the front foot for most of this was crazy.

And not just against another mid tier team either. They flipped their entire script against a top team in the world. Very impressive especially when you compare the pedigree of the players of each side.

My mind is bottled that they were able to control the MF the way they did against THAT group of players. Astonishing performance.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I still stand behind them getting out of the group.

Wow though...for a team that sat and countered through qualifying (really well), seeing them on the front foot for most of this was crazy. Other than that approach, nothing about their performance surprised me here...except they tended to finish their handful of chances in qualifying and didn't here.

I was pretty shocked by their finishing honestly. I think it had to be nerves and snatching at chances on the biggest stage because David and Larin in particular were quite clinical in qualifying.

And Taj. One of them was always finishing the occasional chance in qualifying.

the whole thing is ironic.

They created very few chances in qualifying and were deadly.

Today they created a ton of good looks and just could not get it in (or even on net to be honest many times).

 

[El Floppo]

Also crazy how stretched that game got so early. it was like the 70th minute when things started looking like a typical 94th minute

 

[NewlyRetired]

more salt in the wounds

============


Paul Carr

@PaulCarr

Canada's 2.6 xG are the fourth-most by a team in a World Cup loss since 1966.

 

[El Floppo]

Sucks ironical, like rain on your wedding day, that they got beat by that type of goal.

 

[El Floppo]

As Andy said...that game- and hopefully a continued solid performance here, should help that squad for years to come- bringing in fans, dual nats, sponsorship deals and continued growing soccer in Canada.

 

[NewlyRetired]

As Andy said...that game- and hopefully a continued solid performance here, should help that squad for years to come- bringing in fans, dual nats, sponsorship deals and continued growing soccer in Canada.

And to be honest, I said that in a selfish manner. Canada growing their game only likely helps the US as well (and vice versa).

 

[NewlyRetired]

this is pitch perfect. You can't have the players focus on the result

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FiR3uR6WYA8JaXm?format=jpg&name=small

 

[NewlyRetired]

https://twitter.com/rwohan/status/1595525214980362240?s=20&t=Fx-H5rsJ27-dn1BeKIQW8g

 

[GregR]

I really want to meet Derek Rae sometime and troll him on how to pronounce some foreign name or word. Just shake my head at his pronunciation and say it for him. Shake my head when he repeats it even though he says it same as me. Repeat it again like there's some subtle accent he's missing. Rinse and repeat.

 

[AAABatteries]

From ESPN stats

Spain completed 94% of passes, the highest rate recorded in a World Cup game.

Spain completed 976 passes against Costa Rica, most ever recorded in a 90-minute World Cup game.

Spain had 81.3% possession in their 7-0 win against Costa Rica, the highest in a World Cup match since 1966.

I turned on the match and it was 10 minutes in and CR hadn’t completed 10 passes yet - total domination.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Duncan Alexander

@oilysailor

Spain completed six more passes in that first half than Wycombe have in League One in November

 

[NewlyRetired]

I really want to meet Derek Rae sometime and troll him on how to pronounce some foreign name or word. Just shake my head at his pronunciation and say it for him. Shake my head when he repeats it even though he says it same as me. Repeat it again like there's some subtle accent he's missing. Rinse and repeat.

he is really a very nice guy. I had lunch with him years ago when he was a young announcer.

If you ever meet him, ask him to drop his Scottish accent. He does an amazing American voice, you would never even guess he had a strong Scottish accent.

 

[El Floppo]

From ESPN stats

Spain completed 94% of passes, the highest rate recorded in a World Cup game.

Spain completed 976 passes against Costa Rica, most ever recorded in a 90-minute World Cup game.

Spain had 81.3% possession in their 7-0 win against Costa Rica, the highest in a World Cup match since 1966.

I turned on the match and it was 10 minutes in and CR hadn’t completed 10 passes yet - total domination.

They were as bad as they were in away qualifying... Against a very good team. They really have no business being at this world cup.

 

[General Malaise]

From a very casual and unsophisticated fan's point of view, I was very impressed with the Canadian team's attack and aggression. They came out hair on fire.

I was equally impressed by the lack of panic from Belgium. They picked up the blitz and again, their keeper was simply incredible from my layman's perspective. I like what @Zow said about him. God, he was good.

Once Belgium got the goal, they seemed to tame the beast a bit and even up the play. Felt like a 2nd goal was coming from Belgium more than I thought a 1st was coming from Canada much of the 2nd half.

These games have been fun. I should watch more soccer.

 

[Sand]

Ok, last three games I've managed to catch have been 0-0 stinkers. 270 minutes of boredom. This WC is descending into the suck.

This seems more about your timing and luck than the World Cup as a whole. There have been some great, exciting games.

Yeah, I think we're watching different Cups. This has been pretty exciting for a group stage.

The Japan Germany game made up for it. That one was pretty awesome.

 

[The Z Machine]

From a very casual and unsophisticated fan's point of view, I was very impressed with the Canadian team's attack and aggression. They came out hair on fire.

I was equally impressed by the lack of panic from Belgium. They picked up the blitz and again, their keeper was simply incredible from my layman's perspective. I like what @Zow said about him. God, he was good.

Once Belgium got the goal, they seemed to tame the beast a bit and even up the play. Felt like a 2nd goal was coming from Belgium more than I thought a 1st was coming from Canada much of the 2nd half.

These games have been fun. I should watch more soccer.

Courtois is arguably the best goalie in the world right now. He has been in the top 2-3 goalies for years now.

 

[The Z Machine]

What's the line on Croatia vs. Canada here? Is Canada going to be favored now?

I still have my bet on Croatia against them. Belgium were past it going into this tournament and I never thought they had what it took to be a champion. I had Croatia going further than Belgium anyway.

 

[BassNBrew]

Where was sweatpants boner guy? He would have stopped that shot.

I know the soccer purists won't like it, but a game with little midfield play sure is fun to watch.

 

[AAABatteries]

Canada played great - I think that had a lot of o do with them playing very hard and aggressive and Roberto Martinez.

 

[GregR]

I really want to meet Derek Rae sometime and troll him on how to pronounce some foreign name or word. Just shake my head at his pronunciation and say it for him. Shake my head when he repeats it even though he says it same as me. Repeat it again like there's some subtle accent he's missing. Rinse and repeat.

he is really a very nice guy. I had lunch with him years ago when he was a young announcer.

If you ever meet him, ask him to drop his Scottish accent. He does an amazing American voice, you would never even guess he had a strong Scottish accent.

I don't doubt it, and he's a good announcer overall. Just his obsession with pronouncing every name like it would be in their native language ends up distracting from the game for me.

 

[The Z Machine]

Am I the only one that wanted Canada to get stomped (do they can feel World Cup pain instead of becoming a legit team, fully formed like Athena bursting from Zeus's head) only to then regret this feelings after they got jobbed on done bad luck in this match?

#conflicted

 

[Sand]

Canada played a very good game here. They deserved a bit better than they got, but when you miss a PK that's what you get.

Thinking about it - right now best goal of WC was Valencia with his contortionist header. The Saudi winner was pretty good, too.

 

[The Z Machine]

The second Saudi goal was a true golazo.

 

[The Z Machine]

Honestly, that penalty that Bale took was pretty special. It was a blasted rocket off his foot into the side netting. A penalty many a player have dreamed about scoring in a world cup match.

 

[AAABatteries]

Am I the only one that wanted Canada to get stomped (do they can feel World Cup pain instead of becoming a legit team, fully formed like Athena bursting from Zeus's head) only to then regret this feelings after they got jobbed on done bad luck in this match?

#conflicted

I wanted Canada to lose.

They played very well and no one really expected it but I think the gushing over them seems a little weird from US fans.

One other thing I think worth pointing out - KDB who is god-like most days was very ordinary. Some of it was due to Canada not giving him time on the ball but he had several chances to put a guy in on goal and made a bad/inaccurate pass. In the first half he totally missed a wide open Tielemens that would have put him 1-on-1 with the keeper. He and Hazard both were not at the top of their game. It will be interesting to see how Canada fare against Morocco and Croatia - they will have more possession than today. I have confidence in their coach though - guy really seems like he knows what he’s doing.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Canada's xG was 2.21 in the first half....

Dominated the half, Teebou(I’m not spelling either of his names) was great though too

-QG