General World Cup and in-game discussion

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We need a general thread to talk about all the matches. So here it is! Let's keep the discussion rolling during the matches too for those who are watching.

If you are interested in joining the PF World Cup Futbol League go here:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=756611

First match is Brazil vs Croatia!
 
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The penalty decision against Croatia was so wrong. Brazil does not deserve the second goal.
 
Croatia deserved a draw based on the pressure they laid on the Brazilian defense. Unfortunately they got another goal instead.
The keeper could've stopped the first and last goal I believe. A small step to the left/right before the dive would've done it both times.

But hey, congrats to Croatia for the mentality.
 
Terrible ref: that was never a penalty, and there was a foul in the run up to the third goal. Keeper should have saved the pen though. All in all, a shaky start from the hosts, though I expect them to get better.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
First half of the Mex vs Cam game has been good. Mex called offside on two goals.
Mexico deserved that win. It should have been 3-0 rather than 1-0. Both of those goals in the first half should have counted.

Lots of rain.
Lots of rain. Poor cameramen. The areas behind the field in which they were located were lakes.

Siting games in Natal was perhaps a mistake?

probability_of_precipitation_at_some_point_in_the_day_percent_pct.png

Source: http://weatherspark.com/averages/33461/Natal-Rio-Grande-do-Norte-Brazil

Belo Horizonte, OTOH, looks like a nice site for this time of year.
 
D H said:
Siting games in Natal was perhaps a mistake?

probability_of_precipitation_at_some_point_in_the_day_percent_pct.png

Source: http://weatherspark.com/averages/33461/Natal-Rio-Grande-do-Norte-Brazil

Belo Horizonte, OTOH, looks like a nice site for this time of year.

I don't believe their data, based on what they say about where I live. The "snow" and "thunderstorms" data is nonsense. The rain data doesn't make much sense either.

The obvious unanswered question is what land area this is averaged over. Thunderstorms "somewhere in the UK" on 11% of days in July might be correct. Thunderstorms over one particular city is not.

probability_of_precipitation_at_some_point_in_the_day_percent_pct.png
 
D H said:
That was my thought in live play. In the replay it did look like De Vrij took Costa's feet out from under him.
You must've seen a different replay, there was no faulplay. Costa searched for contact, it should be 0-1
 
That was totally unbelievable!
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
What is the atmosphere like in Holland?
Exhilarating! It was going to be a difficult game and expectations were low. The plan was to play defensive, unlike the normal offensive game play for Holland and it panned out. For this game over 15000 people gathered on the museumsquare (picture not mine), so you can imagine the atmosphere:

http://www.at5.nl/imgcache/8/8ea160eed44bdddee78e9e98fff9598c.jpg

This is a great victory but it doesn't mean we'll win the next games, so we're looking forward to the next matches.

5PA1N:

BqCW0icCYAAbKea.jpg
 
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why is their a team for England, and not labeled at UK?
 
Maylis said:
why is their a team for England, and not labeled at UK?

Because that's what it is.

Wales reached the quarter-finals in 1958, the only time they qualified.
Scotland have qualified 8 times since 1954, but never got past the first round.
Northern Ireland have qualified 3 times, and also reached the quarter finals in 1958. (They also held the record of the least populous country to qualify, until Trinidad and Tobago qualified in 2006).

In 1958 all four "UK" teams qualified. Scotland and England were knocked out in the group stage. In the quarter-finals, Wales lost 1-0 to Brazil, and NI lost 4-0 to France.
 
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The world cup of plot twists, this should prove fun.