Spoke2U's Blog

Chicago Fire FC vs LA FC: 2-2

Spain vs. England 2-1 Spain dominated in possession from the beginning as expected and England looked to counter. Both teams defended well and had difficulty penetrating so the goal keepers didn't have much to do. Thus, the first half was scoreless. As soon as the second half started, Spain made a nice pass play smoothly penetrating through spaces that led to a goal. England made efforts to equalize as well. In one counter move at the 72nd minute, England finally scored from a long range shot. That invigorated the English fans and the players. The game was to be decided near the end by Spain when they scored from another good pass play counter-attack.

Spain vs. France 2-1 In less than 10 minutes of first half, France led in score when Spain's defence lost focus and Mbappe made a good cross that was connected with a header by a player near the net. Spain tried to control possession and make chances for themselves. Ten odd minutes later, Yamal of Spain made a miraculous goal from a long range shot. They kept knocking and a few minutes later, Spain scored again as they made France conceded an own goal and this time it was France's defence that was unfocused. Spain had most of the possession in the first half. In the second half, Spain continued to be on the offensive while France looked to equalize. France had more of the ball but in the end they failed to tie. It was as if Spain was giving mercy in the end where they tried to waste time. Netherlands vs. England 1-2 Fortune was the story of the match. Netherlands scored first from a long range effort while England got a controversial penalty kick chance in the first half...

Spain vs Germany 2-1 The match was very dynamic and exciting. It was take and be taken. Germany had some nice interceptions and penetrating passes to the left flank but too slow to make the finish, while Spain had a threatening fast paced attack but the finish was blocked or off target. Germany had a few good chances but the connection was weak each time. Ball possession was a bit more on the German side. Despite how well both sides did, it was still a scoreless stalemate in the first half. Spain looked the more threatening side in attack and they finally broke through in the 51st minute as Olmo came from behind and scored. Germany tried to reply back and Spain looked for counters. Germany had some shortcomings in the finish and thought too much; their attacking form was not good. However, they didn't give up, persisted in attack, and equalized in the 88th minute. In extra time, Germany tried to go forward but the finish was lackluster. While Spain was more lethal on t...

Switzerland vs. Italy 2-0 Switzerland tried to control the game and dominate possession while Italy was more organized than before. Italy didn't have much opportunity but when presented, they were fast in attack. Swiss kept on pressing and eventually scored in the first half. As soon as the second half started, Swiss scored from great offensive movement and an accurate long range shot. Italy tried their best to tally up on the scoreboard but their shots on goal were weak or inaccurate. Germany vs. Denmark 2-0 Germany dominated in attack from the get-go and their defence was fortified when they were counter-attacked. After a few good chances in the beginning, Germany was having difficulty making plays to penetrate Denmark's defence. Denmark, on the other hand, looked threatening in attack especially when German defence made mistakes. The match suddenly halted when it was 10 minutes left of first half due to a lightning hitting the top of the stadium. In the beginning of...

Group stages Argentina vs. Canada 2-0 Canada did well keeping the defence tight in the middle and Argentina had difficulty penetrating so they had to resort to the wings. Systematically, Canada was good but their individual attacking skill was lacking and they made some unnecessary mistakes that costed them their defeat. Peru vs. Chile 0-0 It was frantic on both sides... with not much to show for it. Ecuador vs. Venezuela 1-2 Venezuela had persistance aided by a bit of luck. Mexico vs. Jamaica 1-0 In the beginning, Jamaica surprisingly controlled the game more than Mexico but the finish was lackluster. The last few minutes of the first half was controlled by Mexico. In the second half, Mexico took more control and finally scored from a long range shot just outside the box. Mexico had some fortune. USA vs. Bolivia 2-0 The US dominated the match. Uruguay vs. Panama 3-1 Uruguay's scoring condition was good. Colombia vs. Paraguay 2-1 Colombia outclassed Para...

Türkiye vs. Georgia 3-1 Türkiye was lethal in attack as expected and their long range shots were impressive; no need for intricate play there, althought their possession play was good. Georgia tried their best. Portugal vs. Czechia 2-1 Portugal was strong but it was tricky to penetrate through Czechia's defence. Luck was not on Portugal's side either. However, opportunities come with persistance. All the goals happened late in the second half. Czechia scored first during their counter-attack with a long range try. Portugal, however, didn't give up and luck finally sided with them as the header went in by chance from an own goal. In stoppage time, the rookie substitute capitalized on a close proximate opportunity to seal the win for Portugal. Georgia vs. Czechia 1-1 Hand ball was the story of the first half. Czechia scored first but the VAR detected the ball touching the striker's arm so no goal was given. On the other hand, Georgia was rewarded a penalty kick...

Romania vs. Ukraine 3-0 Ukraine's form looked good in the beginning but Romania was more threatening in the counter attack. Once Romania scored, it invigorated them and Ukraine went on a downhill path. Belgium vs. Slovakia 0-1 Belgium was the clear favourite and dominated the possession but could not prove effective or clinical in attack. Slovakia's defence won and they even got a goal early on from a blunder by Belgian defence. Out of the big names, Belgium performed the worst. Slovakia vs. Ukraine 1-2 Slovakia had more dominance and looked more threatening but Ukraine looked for counter chances. Persistance led to Slovakia's first goal early on before 18 minutes. Slovakia's defence line had some holes and Ukraine could have capitalized but couldn't. In the second half, Ukraine was more dominant and purposeful in attack and that led to 2 goals. Slovakia was mentally startled and that affected their attack as well. Belgium vs. Romania 2-0 Belgium had ...

Slovenia vs. Denmark 1-1 Denmark seemed to dominate in possession with organization but had difficulty making chances. Slovenia put up a good fight and tried to counter-attack. Serbia vs. England 0-1 England barely won. Their teamwork was mismatching somehow and couldn't connect properly near goal. Serbia focused on defence and their wall frustrated England. Kane couldn't do much as a result. Even Foden couldn't perform to his best. Slovenia vs. Serbia 1-1 The game had quick pace. There were close chances on both sides. It was a frantic first half. Serbia was more composed in the second half and dominated in possession, while Slovenia waited to counter. Serbia lacked in the finish. Slovenia finally scored late in the 69th minute from a counter-attack. But it's not over til it's over; Serbia connected a corner kick with a header at the last second of stoppage time for a dramatic draw ending. Denmark vs. England 1-1 Neck and neck of a performance. Engla...

Poland vs. Netherlands 1-2 Netherlands dominated in possession but Poland scored first from a corner kick. Netherlands kept knocking on the door and eventually won. Austria vs. France 0-1 Austria formed a solid defence wall and it frustrated the French offence. France barely won without Mbappe's goal. Poland vs. Austria 1-3 Austria outperformed Poland. Netherlands vs. France 0-0 France tried to control the game, but it was Netherlands that was more threatening on counter-attack. France's Griezmann had some major chances but missed them. Netherlands was face paced upon attack and got upto danger territory but they lacked in the finish. As a matter of fact, both teams were lackluster in the finish. In the 68th minute, Netherlands scored in a pinball situation but it was unfortunately called offside. France may have difficulty conducting their attacks without Mbappe who is injured and sitting out in the upcoming matches. Netherlands vs. Austria 2-3 Austria surpr...

Spain vs. Croatia 3-0 Spain is a finalist contender; possibly the best performance out of all the group stage matches so far. Croatia couldn't show their strengths due to Spain's organization and dominance. Italy vs. Albania 2-1 Italy was quick in attack with the one-touch connections and the goals were spectacular, but their weakness lied in their defence. Albania took advantage of the fortune gifted by Italy's defence and got on the scoresheet first. Croatia vs. Albania 2-2 Albania surprisingly scored first with a nice long pass to the front and a header connection. Croatia had lost to Spain and needed a win so they were hungry to equalize. Albania did not let Croatia have space and capitalized when given a chance in counter-attack. Modric's condition was lackluster as he made some pass misses. Nevertheless, Croatia's persistance paid off as they equalized after 70 minutes. Another goal followed a few minutes after. When Croatia led, Albania became more...

Germany vs Scotland 5-1 Germany outclassed Scotland. Hungary vs Switzerland 1-3 Swiss domination. Germany vs. Hungary 2-0 Germany dominated in possession but Hungary was more of a test than Scotland. Both teams seemed to have an urgency in the way they moved thereafter - Hungary wanting to equalize and Germany wanting to add to the lead. Germany dominated possession and eventually that led to another goal. Germany had more chances but they were ruined as the players seemed too rushed. Hungary threatened the German defence but to no avail in the end. Scotland vs. Switzerland 1-1 Luck was first on Scotland's side as they led from an own goal. However, luck turned to the other side when a Scottish defender passed to the back which gifted the Swiss striker and thus they tied. That brought hope to the Swiss and they were more invigorated in attack. Scotland was restless to score another but their finishes weren't clean. The competition was fierce and the match ended i...

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England Group D: Netherlands, France, Poland, Austria Group E: Ukraine, Slovakia, Belgium, Romania Group F: Portugal, Czechia, Georgia, Turkiye   My group favourites: A -  Germany, Switzerland B - Spain, Croatia C - England, Denmark D - France, Netherlands E - Belgium, Ukraine F - Portugal, Turkiye

Group Stages Group A: Qatar vs Ecuador 0-2 Qatar was too outclassed. Group B: England vs Iran 6-2 England was too good and their attack was on fire. Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands 0-2 Netherlands was in top attack form. Group B: USA vs Wales 1-1 USA defended well against Wales. Wales couldn't properly finish nor make chances. Group C: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia 1-2 Saudi Arabia did well defensively and capitalized on opportunities. The most surprising result of the tournament. Saudi Arabia declared Nov 22 as a national holiday as a result. Group D: Denmark vs Tunisia 0-0 A neck and neck performance from both sides. Group C: Mexico vs Poland 0-0 Both sides were too careful that resulted in a stalemate. Group D: France vs Australia 4-1 Australia's offence was impactful at first as they headed the score board and France struggled but eventually star power prevailed. Once France scored their first goal, their att...

England vs. Italy 1-1 (PSO 2:3) The first goal came from the start of the game with England's first attack move. The goal happened in 2 minutes from a long cross that was connected by Shaw who was near the goal post for an easy tap in. Italy needed to respond. Around the middle of first half, Italy gained more momentum in terms of possession. They tried to craft their way with passes to penetrate England's defence but to no avail. When that did not work, they tried a more direct approach of long passing and quicker pace. England in the meanwhile played direct and looked for holes in Italy's defence involving long passes and penetrating runs. English defenders did a good job closing down the incoming opponents and guarding their spots. Italians could not find spatial openings so they ended doing long range shots that were off target and futile. In the second half, Italians continued to find ways to equalize and England focused on defending. When England was in attack mode, t...

  Italy vs Spain 1-1 (PSO 4-2) It was neck and neck from start to finish. Spain may have been more dominant in possession but they fell short in finish, while Italy looked more threatening in attack with their direct style. The goals finally came in late in the second half. First was by Italy from the beginning of the keeper's throw to fast passes and runs, persistence then to a rebound that led to a goal. Spain continued to dominate possession and eventually scored from an excellent penetrating pass in the centre. The second half ended with a one goal draw so their fate needed to be decided in 30 minutes of extra time. After Spain tied, the momentum was in their way as their move seemed more vibrant than before. This mood continued in extra time. Ball possession remained mostly on Spain's side as usual but the difference was that they became more direct in attack. All in all throughout the match, both teams had difficulty penetrating through the defence so extra time was not e...