The Soccer Thread (Version 12) — Revenge of the Backup GK

I admit I've not followed the EPL as closely this season. But holy fuck, Everton just 3 points clear of the relegation zone?

 

Those fuckers stole three points at the death against PIFcastle yesterday. Not what I needed as a Watford supporter.

 

Atletico Madrid v. City
Real Madrid v. Chelsea
Bayern v. Villarreal
Liverpool v. Benfica

 

And now Aaronson is out with an injury he got today. Are Deuce and Landon in shape?

 

Italy loses their WC playoff semifinal to North Macedonia on a stoppage time goal. Holy crap. 2 straight World Cups missed.

 

I'm not obsessed with calcio in any way, but I am obsessed with Italy.

che cazzo?

 

I looked it up because I've been a bit behind on European qualifying, but in a group where only the winner qualified automatically, Italy drew with the Swiss twice. Both teams dropped points (Italy at home to Bulgaria, Switzerland at Norn Iron), and on the final day, Italy only managed a 0-0 in Belfast, while the Swiss thumped Bulgaria, which threw Italy into the win-or-go-home scenario in which they chose the latter.

 

For the record, the following teams are in now (teams in italics have work to do):

Hosts: Qatar

UEFA: Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Wales, Scotland or Ukraine; Poland or Sweden; Portugal or North Macedonia.

CONMEBOL: Brazil, Argentina, two of Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Chile and Colombia

Asia: Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia

Africa: Egypt or Senegal, Cameroon or Algeria, Ghana or Nigeria, DR Congo or Morocco, Mali or Tunisia

CONCACAF: Three of Canada, Mexico, USA and Panama.

Interconfederation playoffs: Australia, UAE, Iraq or (in case of miracles) Lebanon vs. Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Colombia or Bolivia ; One of Canada (in case of disaster), Mexico, USA, Panama, Costa Rica and El Salvador (in case of miracles) vs. Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti or New Zealand.

 

Oh Canada!

 

Just an embarrassing flop. At the same time, you are on a yellow, don’t give the ref a reason.