#usa2026

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

BRAZIL vs NORWAY 07052026

FIRST HALF

in comments

HALFTIME

Again the only issue with Brasil is finishing. Brasil has a great history of goal scorers, from Pele to Neymar. But, Brasil in the Neymar era and in the beginning of the Vini era simply don't have the goal scorers. Great footballers, but not necessarily the goal scorers. And that allows opponents opportunity. I go back to the Copa America argentina won in the Maracana . Brasil dominated all the statistics but never scored. I argue Endrick needs to be in. But I don't mind Ancelotti's idea of Endrick being a second half impact substitution.

SECOND HALF

in comments

FINAL

I have said for a long time that in the Neymar era Brasil simply lack one thing, goal scoring. Brasil in this match, was better than Norway. But didn't score. People remember the Pele + Ronaldo era but forget how great a goalscorer they were. Once BRasil gets a set of great goalscorers they will dominate matches. If you look at the most successful teams they have players battling for top goal scorer. Brasil didn't have a player in that race, that is the problem. Congrats to norway, though it hurts, but if Norway give away two penalties + a one on one and the soccer gods they will lose badly https://www.tumblr.com/rmfantasysetpieces1/821330424346378240/brazil-vs-norway-07052026 #rmfantasysetpieces

[mikegee378]

𝐻𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒. 𝐻𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝐴𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝐷𝑎𝑦! (𝑀𝑎𝑦 16) 🇺🇸

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

Brazil vs Morocco 06132026

PRE MATCH

The two things I have not seen is Vini + Raphinha work well together. Vini works brilliantly with rodrygo, raphinha works brilliantly with yamal. But can these two work brilliantly with each other.

PAqueta is in the ten role. He has to be his best, most creative, while not losing the ball.

Morocco is a team on a mission. Their recent run in the cup of nations ended in such a dislike by other members of CAF, Morocco will not want to exit the world cup. The good news for all strong teams is the group stages have the first two and the best six of the third place so , moving on to the next stage is only not going to happen for the poorest of the poort in this edition.

Lastly, I prefer Endrick as the number nine, but we will see...

FIRST HALF IN COMMENTS

HALFTIME

Slow start from brasil. Morocco's coach was told to make morocco more attacking but winning isn't about attack.

Casemiro + Ibaenez out , Danilo + Fabinho in

https://www.tumblr.com/rmfantasysetpieces1/819344871191199744/brazil-vs-morocco-06132026/replies/819348879324676096

SECOND HALF IN COMMENTS

END THOUGHTS

Lovely match, Brasil started the tournament cooly, Morocco started hot, but at the end, an even game.

Things teams need to improve

Brasil

Got to start sharp and fast paced. But has to have more clinical finishing. Thiago missed two assist , one a cross from Vini the other a throw in from Paqueta, he has to be on target for a number 9. I like thiago's pressing, but his finishing isnt enough. I will like the youth movement to go against Haiti + Scotland.

Morocco

Have to get better in scoring from distance. Have to defend crosses and number 9's better. I know the coach was told to make an attacking side but morocco's defense was exposed. They don't defend through possession , and they don't defend absent the ball well enough to handle being attacked.

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

CAPE VERDE vs ARGENTINA 07032026

Cape Verde can play!

FIRST HALF

Cape Verde play a system consistently, it isn't open , it is from a defensive set. With no shame. Messi scored, but Cape Verde played their system. Cape Verde is never trying to win possession, Cape Verde is trying to reduce opponents opportunities and have patience with their attack.

HALFTIME

SECOND HALF

Cape Verde played consistently, and survived weighted officiating. They should had the last kick of regulation time

ADDED EXTRA TIME

a handball goal is what knocked cape verde out.

FINAL

Great tournament for Cape Verde. I want to see what they do for the next cup of nations.

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

CAF teams summary by 07012026

South Africa , Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR COngo, all are out. All of them were competitive, none were overwhelmed, but none got the job done.

Morocco won but Morocco for me isn't a CAF team. They are a UEFA team that because of geography plays in CAF. they are like Turkey.

That leaves Cape Verde, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana.

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

TEAMS VS COLLECTIONS

Looking at Portugal+ Netherlands+ Germany you see collections of players who are not a team.

Making a team comes in many forms.

Some teams like Cape Verde or Paraguay have no superstars so they are pure team focused on playing together at all times.

Some teams like Argentina are a superstar plus others, where the others work for the superstar.

Some teams like Senegal or Croatia are a blend of youth plus experience, where the senior players know their limits and the young players know how to help.

Some teams like Morocco or France are a bunch of players in their prime who play a style that suits the set of in form players.

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

Brasil vs Haiti 06192026

Haiti I wish were better , but I fear for them.

Brazil have to win

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

Brazil vs Nippon 06292026

This Brasil versus Japan match exposed the slowness of the defensive and midfield sector of Brasil. With the lack of speed they have to be more attentive on the ball. Second and most importantly, the players had three moments of collission from bad communication. They have to talk more to each other and comprehend what each other is doing. Casemiro is a great player, yes not of the speed of yesteryear, but his comprehension of the game is still legendary. I booed martinelli when he came in but Martinelli was in the right place at the right time and showed great composure. Endrick also whe he came on wideneed the defense of japan, they couldn't play the weak side cause they needed to double vini + double endrick.

In all earnest Japan for me have to reach the finals of the next cup for the AFC. They are too good to suggest.

In the japan goal, the center back from Arsenal didn't come forward.

First goal was assisted by Gabriel MAgalheas to Casemiro center forward skills always come through and had a second saved by the team defense of japan. Second goal, Bruno Guimaeres, top of the box, found Martinelli in the box who knew exaclty what he wanted to do.

Save of the game was from the Japanese keeper, the Vini strike started by the nutmeg dribble.

GOAL 1

GOAL 2

SHUT MY FACE ARSENAL