634x258 Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
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Groups E and F come to their conclusions this evening as the Brazil 2014 World Cup treats us to four more fixtures. Argentina are already through, after winning both their opening matches courtesy of late Lionel Messi strikes, and the South Americans square up to a Nigeria side who require just a draw to join them in the last 16:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Odemwingie, Babatunde, Musa; Emenike,

Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged XI from the side that edged past Iran last time around. Despite the fact that his side have clinched a place in the last 16, the Argentina boss has resisted the urge to rest and rotate and is clearly affording his first-choice players the chance to step up in performance, after a pair of very unconvincing showings thus far. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero once again lead the line, then, with Angel Di Maria owners looking for the Real Madrid man to improve his contribution from the centre of the park.

Nigeria – along with Mexico – were one of only two sides to register a clean sheet in both the opening Matchdays. It’s no real surprise, then, to see the Africans remain unchanged, with Peter Odemwingie hoping to replicate his winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous match as Stephen Keshi’s side attempt to pick up the point which would ensure their progress.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Begovic; Vrsajevic, Sunjic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Hadzic, Besic, Susic, Pjanic; Ibisevic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Montarezi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Shojaei, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Bosnia make five changes in their final game of the tournament. In defence, full-backs Avdija Vrsajevic and Sead Kolasinac come in for Mensur Mujdza and SenadLulic, whilst further up the field, Zvjedan Misimovic, Izet Hajrovic and Haris Medunjanin drop out for Anel Hadzic, Tino-Sven Susic and Vedad Ibisevic. Manager Safet Susic looks to have returned to the 4-1-3-2 formation that served his side so well in qualifying, with Ibisevic up front alongside Edin Dzeko.

Iran, meanwhile, are unchanged for the showdown as Carlos Quieroz’ side attempt to overcome the odds and make it through to the knockouts. As the only team in the tournament yet to score a goal, though, they face a tough task to get the better of the Bosnians.

In the later matches, Karim Benzema owners will be desperate for the France striker to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in the opening couple of Matchdays. With his side already through, though, Didier Deschamps certainly has the option of resting key players, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba hoping to return to the starting XI after both were dropped for last week’s 5-2 win over Switzerland. Opponents Ecuador have an in-form frontman of their own as they look for the result that would steer them through – Enner Valencia has also notched three times in the first two games and has netted in six of his last seven international appearances.

Switzerland also have plenty to play for. A win over Honduras, coupled with at least a draw for the French, would seal the progress of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side as they look to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Les Bleus, though the Swiss boss has decisions to make up front, after alternating Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic as the lone forward over the first two games. Fantasy managers will be hoping raiding left-back Ricardo Rodriguez can replicate his pair of assists in Matchday 1, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka offer the main threat in the attacking midfield three.

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  1. Saniul
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Got Oscar for Shaqiri this week on Fox. 😀

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Brutal

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  2. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Shaqiri scored the 50th hat trick in WC history

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  3. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Drmic 10 pts!!!

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    1. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      🙂

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      What's the inside info on Suarez?

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  4. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Shatov, Bedoya or Bentaleb. Oh the questions of life!

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  5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    wgat are russian chances v algeria?

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      50/50 imo

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        would you play kombarov ahead of bentaleb?

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        1. Tommytour
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Yes

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          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Yes

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    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      If both teams play with their recent form, Russia will have no chance imo

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        ta

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  6. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I'm dropping dramatically this round 🙁

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    1. #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      why?

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      tell me about it i have 4 players on 3 points. kdb Ozil Kombarov Bentaleb to the rescue hardly inspires confidence

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  7. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Does Deschamps realise they will still finish top if they don't win this game? 3 up front 😆

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      France have been absolutely awful though

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    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Against 10 men though

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Want's to keep up the momentum probably

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    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      They tried to win it though from the start.

      A draw against ten men will start the doubts.

      Plus I have France in a sweepstake and require them to win.

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  8. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If and when France will go out of tournament and Benzema won't score in that match - it's time to think was it really worth it to play Benzema 90 mins today imo.

    (scared Benzema nonowner btw..and I bet he'll get his goal near 90 min mark)

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Messi and Neymar both taken off early and rested. Benzema... 90 minutes. For no reason.

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      1. Mr Sarcastic
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        exactly

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  9. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    come on benz

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Just not his night!

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  10. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Omg, I feel like crying Jesus Benzema!

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  11. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    drmic out as biggest dissapointment, pogba is useless.. lukaku don't even count :/

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  12. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Arghhh Karim!! 🙁

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  13. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! stupid troll in the goal

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  14. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    finally a better round for me in McD... hope honduras don't score...

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  15. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Jesus France are raring to win. Lloris was running to take that kick out

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  16. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Love watching Benzema blank.

    Can do so much damage for us non-owners 😕

    Cue a goal 🙁

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He could play all night and not score tonight.

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      well come on.... cue the goal......... arghhhhhh

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Love it. Luckily I have Fred as well, who finally came through.

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  17. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    This keeper is unbelievable 😆

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Unbelievably annoying

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    2. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      *unbelieveably lucky

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    3. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He's been helped by some poor finishing really.

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    4. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Tbf France have kicked a lot straight at him

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    5. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      voted him for motm

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  18. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Loic Remy you greedy f***

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  19. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    sahquiri subbed,now you can concede switerland!

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    1. #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      no......................................

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      1. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        honduras deserves

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  20. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pls, Benzema, please please please!! 🙁

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I feel ya

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  21. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Ronaldo, KDB and Courtois still to play... i hope ronaldo score a hatrick and take portugal to next round.

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  22. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RIIIIIIIIBBBBBEEEEEEEEEERYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GOAL

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No, just NO!

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  23. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    fs pogba

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  24. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pass it Pogba, you glory pr**k. Benzema was open!

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Pogba doesn't pass in that situation!

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    2. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No shoot, SHOOT!

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  25. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Please be like 10mins added time!

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      4

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  26. PGR
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Group G plays before group H tomorrow?

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      False

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That's Been the case each day. The later group always played first

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        :oop:
        The other way round I mean

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Group H is post watershed stuff. don't want the kids to grow up watching that

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  27. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    F**k the keeper! play on, Benzema needs a goal...

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      do you have Benzema?

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Read back over this page. You may be a little embarrassed by your contribution. Danielesque 😉

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Don't you use Bet365? All bets refunded on a 0-0

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Nope. PP

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  28. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Benzema won't be scorin!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀

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  29. lickwidice
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Should I play Kokorin or Lukaku?

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  30. Sif
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How many points is this keeper on now?!

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