Abdullah719
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World Cup 2018: Group B pits Portugal against Spain
World Cup Group B is going to feature an Iberian derby of sorts, with both defending European Champions Portugal and 2010 World Cup winners Spain drawn into a group that could be tougher than it looks on the surface. That’s because the two megapowers of international football were drawn against Iran and Morocco, two smaller but very tough sides that will not make it easy for their bigger foes to get past them. It’s a tricky group, and one that’s likely going to go down to the wire before we know who’s making it to the knockout rounds.
Portugal
The reigning European champions qualified for Russia 2018 with ease, winning nine of 10 qualifiers and averaging more than three goals a game. But perhaps more significant was the manner of their Euro 2016 victory. Crudely put, Portugal decided that the best way to make progress in an international tournament was to prioritize 'not losing' over 'winning', then take things from there. They ended up lifting the trophy despite only managing one win inside 90 minutes, trusting extra time, penalty shootouts, and just a little good fortune to make the difference.
We can probably expect something similar this time around, from a similar squad. Cristiano Ronaldo is still going ahead of what may be his last major tournament. On the younger end of things, Andre Silva hasn't made much of an impact in Serie A with AC Milan, but he's been prolific in the Europa League and scored nine in qualifying. Meanwhile, the exciting Bernardo Silva will have spent a year working with Pep Guardiola, though at the time of writing he hasn't cracked the Manchester City first team.
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo
It's still him — even though he's now 70 percent sculpture, he's still one of the best finishers in the world. While the final of Euro 2016 demonstrated that the Portuguese don't necessarily need him on the pitch, his three goals in the competition were crucial, and he scored 15 in qualifying. Still got it.
Spain
This Spain team has the feel of one of those heist films where the old gang gets back together for one last job. While there is a small influx of younger talent that should feature prominently in this squad, including 25-year-old striker Alvaro Morata, midfielders Marco Asencio, Isco and Koke -- ages 21, 25 and 25, respectively -- the core of this team is still made up of the group that wowed the world for so much of the last decade-plus.
Spain legends Sergio Ramos, Pique, Sergio Busquets, and David Silva, all aged 29 or older, should feature prominently in this squad, and 33-year-old Andres Iniesta, the hero of the 2010 World Cup, will want to end his international career in style. The task ahead for manager Julen Lopetegui is to successfully merge together the old and new, and to capture again some of the magic that saw Spain dominate international soccer for so long. If the right players are healthy, and the team comes together, the talent is here. But it is a strange situation -- if you told me they would go on to win the Final, I’d believe you, and if you told me they’d get bounced in the group stage without a win, I’d believe you as well.
Key player: Sergio Ramos
Ramos is the team captain and still one of the very few best defenders alive. This Spain team may not have quite the passing or attacking firepower it once had, but its defense is still one of the best in the world, and it will be on Ramos to lead the back four and keep the team in games. His work with Real Madrid has shown he’s capable of pulling together a defensive group and keeping clean sheets even when it seems everyone else on the team is only interested in going forward.
Iran
Fans might be looking at Iran and thinking they’re one of the easiest teams to draw from Pot 3, but opposing coaches will know better. Coach Carlos Queiroz has molded the Iranians into one of the most formidable defensive and direct counter-attacking units in international soccer, and they’re likely to prove extremely difficult for anyone to break down.
Iran went undefeated in qualifying, where they had to play against a very good South Korea team, and only conceded two goals over 10 games. Iran are also unbeaten in their last 10 games in total, including friendlies. They’re probably the most direct team in the tournament, and you’re not going to see them stringing together many 30-pass moves. Iran likes to get the ball up to their talented strikers quickly and let them get to work.
Key player: Sardar Azmoun
22-year-old Azmoun was a prolific scorer throughout his youth career for Iran, and already has 22 senior goals. He was one off the leading scorers in Asian qualifying, scoring four times. He’s struggled in club play since moving to Rubin Kazan, though, and Iran will need him to enter the World Cup in better form than he’s in right now.
Morocco
Morocco have history when it comes to the World Cup. In 1986 they became the first African side to reach the knockout stages, winning a group containing Portugal, Poland, and England, and only losing narrowly to eventual champions West Germany. Then, in 1998, an exciting Moroccan side was only minutes away from making the last 16 again, only for Norway to steal a late winner against Brazil and send the Atlas Eagles home.
Twenty years on, their return to the tournament has been underpinned by one of the most parsimonious defences in modern international football. After conceding one goal in a two-legged playoff against Equatorial Guinea, they went on to keep six clean sheets from six through their qualifying group. There were a few goals too, most notably a six-goal thrashing against Mali and a very impressive 2-0 away win against Cote d'Ivoire. Those who remember the 1998 team fondly will be delighted to see former Coventry City cult hero Mustapha Hadji on the bench, as assistant to experienced coach Herve Renard.
Key player: Mehdi Benatia
Morocco aren't entirely without attacking talent, but their defence was the story of qualification and Benatia was at the heart of the effort. Though not a regular at Juventus, he brings experience to the Moroccan backline, and will likely lead the team out as captain.
Prediction
Spain
Portugal
Morocco
Iran
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/201...-cup-draw-group-b-portugal-spain-iran-morocco
World Cup Group B is going to feature an Iberian derby of sorts, with both defending European Champions Portugal and 2010 World Cup winners Spain drawn into a group that could be tougher than it looks on the surface. That’s because the two megapowers of international football were drawn against Iran and Morocco, two smaller but very tough sides that will not make it easy for their bigger foes to get past them. It’s a tricky group, and one that’s likely going to go down to the wire before we know who’s making it to the knockout rounds.
Portugal
The reigning European champions qualified for Russia 2018 with ease, winning nine of 10 qualifiers and averaging more than three goals a game. But perhaps more significant was the manner of their Euro 2016 victory. Crudely put, Portugal decided that the best way to make progress in an international tournament was to prioritize 'not losing' over 'winning', then take things from there. They ended up lifting the trophy despite only managing one win inside 90 minutes, trusting extra time, penalty shootouts, and just a little good fortune to make the difference.
We can probably expect something similar this time around, from a similar squad. Cristiano Ronaldo is still going ahead of what may be his last major tournament. On the younger end of things, Andre Silva hasn't made much of an impact in Serie A with AC Milan, but he's been prolific in the Europa League and scored nine in qualifying. Meanwhile, the exciting Bernardo Silva will have spent a year working with Pep Guardiola, though at the time of writing he hasn't cracked the Manchester City first team.
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo
It's still him — even though he's now 70 percent sculpture, he's still one of the best finishers in the world. While the final of Euro 2016 demonstrated that the Portuguese don't necessarily need him on the pitch, his three goals in the competition were crucial, and he scored 15 in qualifying. Still got it.
Spain
This Spain team has the feel of one of those heist films where the old gang gets back together for one last job. While there is a small influx of younger talent that should feature prominently in this squad, including 25-year-old striker Alvaro Morata, midfielders Marco Asencio, Isco and Koke -- ages 21, 25 and 25, respectively -- the core of this team is still made up of the group that wowed the world for so much of the last decade-plus.
Spain legends Sergio Ramos, Pique, Sergio Busquets, and David Silva, all aged 29 or older, should feature prominently in this squad, and 33-year-old Andres Iniesta, the hero of the 2010 World Cup, will want to end his international career in style. The task ahead for manager Julen Lopetegui is to successfully merge together the old and new, and to capture again some of the magic that saw Spain dominate international soccer for so long. If the right players are healthy, and the team comes together, the talent is here. But it is a strange situation -- if you told me they would go on to win the Final, I’d believe you, and if you told me they’d get bounced in the group stage without a win, I’d believe you as well.
Key player: Sergio Ramos
Ramos is the team captain and still one of the very few best defenders alive. This Spain team may not have quite the passing or attacking firepower it once had, but its defense is still one of the best in the world, and it will be on Ramos to lead the back four and keep the team in games. His work with Real Madrid has shown he’s capable of pulling together a defensive group and keeping clean sheets even when it seems everyone else on the team is only interested in going forward.
Iran
Fans might be looking at Iran and thinking they’re one of the easiest teams to draw from Pot 3, but opposing coaches will know better. Coach Carlos Queiroz has molded the Iranians into one of the most formidable defensive and direct counter-attacking units in international soccer, and they’re likely to prove extremely difficult for anyone to break down.
Iran went undefeated in qualifying, where they had to play against a very good South Korea team, and only conceded two goals over 10 games. Iran are also unbeaten in their last 10 games in total, including friendlies. They’re probably the most direct team in the tournament, and you’re not going to see them stringing together many 30-pass moves. Iran likes to get the ball up to their talented strikers quickly and let them get to work.
Key player: Sardar Azmoun
22-year-old Azmoun was a prolific scorer throughout his youth career for Iran, and already has 22 senior goals. He was one off the leading scorers in Asian qualifying, scoring four times. He’s struggled in club play since moving to Rubin Kazan, though, and Iran will need him to enter the World Cup in better form than he’s in right now.
Morocco
Morocco have history when it comes to the World Cup. In 1986 they became the first African side to reach the knockout stages, winning a group containing Portugal, Poland, and England, and only losing narrowly to eventual champions West Germany. Then, in 1998, an exciting Moroccan side was only minutes away from making the last 16 again, only for Norway to steal a late winner against Brazil and send the Atlas Eagles home.
Twenty years on, their return to the tournament has been underpinned by one of the most parsimonious defences in modern international football. After conceding one goal in a two-legged playoff against Equatorial Guinea, they went on to keep six clean sheets from six through their qualifying group. There were a few goals too, most notably a six-goal thrashing against Mali and a very impressive 2-0 away win against Cote d'Ivoire. Those who remember the 1998 team fondly will be delighted to see former Coventry City cult hero Mustapha Hadji on the bench, as assistant to experienced coach Herve Renard.
Key player: Mehdi Benatia
Morocco aren't entirely without attacking talent, but their defence was the story of qualification and Benatia was at the heart of the effort. Though not a regular at Juventus, he brings experience to the Moroccan backline, and will likely lead the team out as captain.
Prediction
Spain
Portugal
Morocco
Iran
https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/201...-cup-draw-group-b-portugal-spain-iran-morocco
It's perfectly open group yet with Morocco only missing out unfortunately. They have been so unlucky so far that I expect luck to smile on their face in last game and they might surprise Spain (20 years back Nigeria did that). 
. It’s just about brute strength. That’s why my team Spain is struggling.
) (kidding)
