https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/wo...ina-fall-belgium-replaces-brazil-as-new-no-1/ new rankings.... can't believe they don't believe in Portugal...
Portugal is surviving on Ronaldo. Egypt was only going to go as far as Mo Salah took them, and when he didn't play, they didn't win. Ronaldo is similarly carrying Portugal. It's gonna be hard for them to beat these higher-echelon teams if Ronaldo doesn't play the hero, again.
They're through to the next round, but that last matchup was definitely closer for each than they would've liked. Iran and Morocco were good teams, and no doubt Portugal and Spain are thankful they brought just enough to get by.
Didn't really care who won Group B, but it has to be said, that VAR penalty given against Portugal was just an absolute joke. It seems FIFA is learning what us NFL viewers have known for a while. Instant replay isnt a silver bullet and will never be. In fact this was a classic case of slowed down replay actually reinforcing the wrong opinion the more you watched it. Because anyone who has played soccer knows that was never a penalty. Not in a million years was that a penalty.
Still, i hope everyone is enjoying the FIFA VAR Cup. VAR has already created some v interesting last16 matchups for us. I look forward to VAR VARing its way down to 2 teams before deciding the final by, of course, VAR.
bears-the 1 ex-MLS guy said on Saturday that the review process is just too much and already deciding some outcomes. so now what the World Cup will be deciding on a replay of a goal ? kind of scary to think of that. hope it doesn't come to that.
Penalty shots should be the exception, not the norm. Look at how many we've seen in this tournament... Just unacceptable. I want to watch soccer, not a game decided by miscommunication, convoluted review, and an almost-guaranteed goal given to a lucky team. Also, @EvertonBears - I read your opinion on that earlier game, with the player let back in from the sidelines. Having watched the clip at more than a quick glance in the office, I agree with you. The side who was scored against both didn't play the ball well and got unlucky. The ref let the player back in appropriately, and the timing was just unfortunate.
