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Check out Clean Sheet on the CzabeCast - link below or find wherever you get your podcasts.
Current Knock Out Matchups 🥊🥊
Monday Match Preview ⚽⚽
#16 USA v #9 Belgium- Monday, 7 cst - Seattle
Balogun, Pulisic, Tielemans, De Bruyne
Regardless of your thoughts on Balogun being ruled eligible to play in this one, it takes away from the excitement that would be in this match regardless. Let’s put that drama behind us and focus on the match.
Was thinking the USA would be just fine without Balogun, trusting in Poch to bring the right 11 for what could be the biggest win by the USA in a WC ever. The USA beat Belgium in 1930 in the knockout stage, as well as Mexico in 2002, but this one feels different. To knock off a top European club to reach the quarterfinals would be better.
Belgium has the experience and attacking ability to really stress the USA’s defense. The question for Belgium will be their defensive quality and organization. Belgium have created the 2nd most chances so far in the WC and the USA will need their forwards and midfield to be defensive minded. Expect Romeo Lukaku to come on in the 2H if Belgium need goals, he just seems to find the net, even in his limited play. The USA will need to play at a high energy level for the full 90+ and should be “fitter” than Belgium. There will not be a Clean Sheet in this one and will probably take at least 3 goals to win.
CS Prediction - 4-3 USA in a wild one. (Or 2-1 in a wild one)
USA to win in 90’ +135 (To Qualify “Advance” -130)
Belgium to win in 90’ +175 (To Qualify “Advance” -105)
Draw in 90’ +220
Let’s get loud Seattle!
#7 Portugal v #3 Spain - Monday, 2 cst - Dallas
Christiano Ronaldo 41yo Lamine Yamal 18 yo
(Thanks GambleBulls for the great Graphic.)
The Iberian Derby, the name for this soccer rivalry between two rival countries. A Derby, pronounced “Dahr-bee” is a clash of “bitter” rivals located near each other or a geographic connection. The Iberian Peninsula is anything related to the regtion comprising Spain, Portugal, Andora and Gibraltar. For more on famous Derby’s check out this previous article from CS.
These sides know each other well. Portugal has the veteran star power, Spain the youth star power. Portugal’s mid-field may be the best in the world. Spain’s defense and dynamic forwards have seen them comfortably control their opponents, with an aggregate score of 8-0.
Spain is favored, but when two rivals meet, it adds more uncertainty given the history. However, in the big competitions the rivalry has been dominated by Spain.
6 WC matches - Spain lead 4W 2D 0L.
12 Competitive (non-friendly) matches - Spain lead 5W 6D 1L.
41 total matches - Spain lead with 17W 18D 4L.
CS prediction - Spain, 2-0 with the second goal coming in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Portugal to win in 90’ +275 (To Qualify “Advance” +160)
Spain to win in 90’ -120 (To Qualify “Advance” -225)
Draw in 90’ +250
Sunday Match Recap🧢🧢
Norway 2-0 Brazil
Erling Haaland. At one point during the match the announcers said Halland had the fewest touches on the ball out of all 22 starters. But he is not there to control possession, he is there to score. Both sides had great chances in the 1H, both sides had goals called off for offsides, both sides hit the woodwork. Yet it was Norway who controlled the ball, surprisingly over a Brazil side who usually owns possession. Then it was all about Haaland who found the net on a great header and then a great rocket. Brazil got a goal back on a Neymar PK at 90+10’ but that was it, Norway advance, and Brazil is yet again shaking their head after a relatively early exit for them.
England 3-2 Mexico
Absolute Cinema. Described as maybe the best environment ever, a huge home pitch advantage for Mexico. All the talk about England’s hotels, altitude, and an hour rain delay to up the anticipation. England handles the expected early push from Mexico well and then the fireworks hit. Two Jude Bellingham goals (at 36’ & 38’) gave England a cushion, but Quinones got one back before half for Mexico.
Then it got more interesting. A questionable red card for Jarell Quansah of England gave Mexico hope. Up a man they started created more chances and controlling the game. Could England hold on for 40 minutes. Well, they got some help when Harry Kane took a long pass, made a great pass and Mexico fouled England in the Box. Harry converted the PK and it looked like England would hold on.
Yet, Jimenez scored his own PK at 69’. It felt like if Mexico were to even the match at 3, there would be no way for England to hold on through extra time. England got it to the 90’ mark but an additional 11’ were added and it was all Mexico at that point, yet they couldn’t find the net.
Of note - the effort by England was huge AND they picked several Yellow Cards in the match - will be something to look out for the next match and the semi-finals if they get there.
Of Note 🎶
First Time Ever. This WC will not see Germany or Brazil in the final 8 for the first time ever.
Jordan Henderson. Quite the night for the England reserve. The 36-year-old Liverpool and England Legend is at the tail end of his career and made this World Cup as a sub. Yet that didn’t keep him from leaving his mark. In the match against Mexico, Hendo took a yellow card from the sideline while warming up for yelling at the referee. Then after the win he was jumping over the video boards that surround the field, fell and broke his arm. He is now out of the WC. Feel bad for him but come on man! Watch it here.
Post Match Interview. Harry Kane is lost his voice during an interview immediately after the match and it is blowing up the internet. Watch it here.
7 Goals. This is the first time in WC history where three different players have scored SEVEN goals, and all three are still in the tournament - Mbappe (France), Messi (Argentina), Haaland (Norway) and Harry Kane (England) is just one behind with 6.
English Premier League. In yesterday’s CS we talked about how the EPL is dominating minutes played in this world cup. Today, let’s look at goals scored. And yes, PL is dominating.
EPL - 62 goals scored (led by Haaland 7)
Spain La Liga - 34 (led by Mbappe 7)
German Bundesliga - 29 (led by Kane 6)
France Ligue 1 - 20
Italy Serie A - 16
US MLS - 1 (led by Messi 7)
Saudi Pro League - 8
Big Numbers. These are pretty big numbers this WC, here are the goals historically.
Erling Haaland. Take a look at the Norway stars stats. CRAZY. Should be fun to watch him at Man City this coming EPL year.
Halland has scored in 14 straight games for Norway, 27 total goals.
Final Word 🔚
Said what needed to be said on the Balogun subject. CS bottom line - FIFA did a bad job of managing the messaging, news outlets are running with narratives that are pushing the agenda and tone they want, and VAR is so new (just the second WC with VAR) people don’t understand FIFA’s rules and how they are applied.
Basically, FIFA appropriately applied the rules and VAR’d VAR.
Thought these two graphics are a good summary.
“I have seen the public comments regarding the decision of the independent FIFA Disciplinary Committee related to the suspension of Folarin Balogun, and I would like to reiterate a fundamental principle of FIFA’s governance.
“FIFA’s judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them. Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected.
“Yes, I regularly discuss matters related to the FIFA World Cup with the President of the United States, and on this matter, I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues. During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA’s independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA’s system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold.
“I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree.
“What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times.”
Graphic 2
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