Monzanator

are the big winners then. They play in R16 and either or in QF. Also good news for . vs in QF is more than manageable for them.

Yeah, If Spain finish 2nd they bail out of the Brazil QF section Brazil is looking at Croatia/Japan QF. All over!!! Japan wins the group!!! Gemany is OUT!!!

Yeah, I know. Spain kicking the ball around like Argentina yesterday. It sure looks like Spain wants to play Morocco in R16 and Portugal/Switzerland in QF.

That goal changes nothing for Germany in Spain doesn't score again

Costa Rica 2-1!!! Now Spain is OUT!!!

Yeah, Costa Rica beating Germany and Japan beating Spain puts Spain out

Spain will always qualify on goal difference after that 7-0 shootout. Gemany vs Costa Rica would have to end 8-1 for any of these sides for Spain to go out with 4 points.

Of course the winner of this group then goes into the Brazil/Argentina SF section and the runner-up goes through France/Portugal most likely. You choose which is easier to overcome.

Costa Rica scores for 1-1!

So now we'll see if Spain really wants to put Germany out

Japan scores for 2-1! It looked like the ball was out...

Germany are still through on fewer YC. If Japan scores for 2-1 then Germany needs to win by seven goals

Doan scores! 1-1.

South Africa was the first host nation who failed to advance from group stage

Szymon Marciniak has been selected for the Argentina vs Australia R16 match

Alvaro Morata becomes the first Spanish player since the legendary Telmo Zarra in 1950 to score goals in all three WC group stage matches.

The days of Ukraine having the most competitive women's relay are over. The days of Poland leading the Olympic relay after three legs are over. Italy without Wierer & Vittozzi are dog shit. Canada & USA on the men's side are in noticeable decline IMO. I don't know where @Swewifinds evidence the depth behind power houses is actually better than it was in 2010s? I don't even mention Slovenia or random on-off nations coming with ahtletes like Fialkova for Slovakia or Shumei Yu for China. Biathlon has gotten more top-heavy in the last few years despite Germany having a lean period by their historical standards.

Germany 1-0... followed by Spain 1-0. Guess there will be no drama tonight.

Yeah, it's possible. Spain lose 0-1 and hope Germany only win by six vs Costa Rica

I'm gonna be generous and say France wins 3-0 After the Tunisia flop I assume France would like to make a statement again and let's be honest, Poland will park the us again and hope to carry 0-0 as long as possible.

Full on 1986 deja vu, Morocco wins the group and probably plays Germany in R16 again

What the fuck is Lukaku doing? Two meters out and takes the ball with this stomach?

Ball basically bounces off Lukaku three meters in front of goal

What a miss from Lukaku

Teams replacing nations wouldn't solve anything since the richest entries would still dominate. It's the case in endurance cross country races already. Plus which of these wealthy sponsors would take on an athlete from Lithuania or Poland to "spice things up"? Nobody. They would also choose as many athletes from the dominating nations.