Soccer Analysis

Each of Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay and Peru may look vastly different from a managerial standpoint at the 2019 Copa America in Brazil. But whether a new manager implements a possession or counter attacking style, teams must be compact and balanced to win in South America, and even more so to win in the World Cup. Read more »

France were dominant, only trailing for a total of nine minutes throughout the entire World Cup. Compared to recent winners, this is a deep, skilled side that defends and hits quickly on counter attacks, led by a teenager already named alongside the greatest strikers in the sport's history. Read more »

Third place is Belgium's highest ever finish in a World Cup and befitting their golden generation. Read more »

Croatia and France are two sides built with similar structures of pacy, counter attacking wings, a balanced midfield three, strong aerial defending - an efficient approach based on winning both attacking and defensive transitions. Read more »

England didn't lose because they're England. But it's remarkable how sharply aware they seemed, as it was happening, that they were badly wasting their shot at a World Cup final. Read more »

With a signature match against Argentina and in carrying France's counter attack against Belgium, Kylian Mbappe is the most dangerous winger in the 2018 World Cup. Read more »

Croatia don't feel destined to win the World Cup as much as their results are grounded in the realism of an attack that works hard in defending and transitions, a midfield that can control tempo against any opponent, and an on-form keeper. Read more »

England scored a pair of goals with one of them even coming from open play as they continue what feels like their destiny, at least on their side of the bracket. Read more »

Roberto Martinez credited tactics, but one would add individual quality as well, through Lukaku's hold up play, Hazard's turns, de Bruyne's perfectly placed strike and Courtois' last minute save. Read more »

France was sufficiently defensive and scored a pair of fluky goals to advance to the semifinals. Read more »

We are seeing the imprints of Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp and Antoino Conte on his 'likable' English side. Read more »

Sweden has become the Italy of this World Cup with their organization and collective play. Read more »

On Belgium's comeback from 2-0 against Japan to win in extra time. Read more »

Neymar created a beautiful goal taking on multiple defenders, laying it off to Willian and then continuing his run to receive the ball back for the tap-in. Read more »

This was not a classic nor a great match, and any neutral can skip past the fifth minute and go straight to the dramatic penalties (starting with Luka Modric's miss in Extra Time). Read more »

You knew who was winning this match if it survived to penalties. Read more »

Fernando Santos predicted that with both sides so close in ability and tactics, Ronaldo would make the difference for Portugal to go through. Edinson Cavani ended up being the difference. Read more »

On Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and how France now feels inevitable. Read more »

The struggles of the traditional soccer powers gave an opportunity for bubbling sides like Belgium and Croatia to stamp their mark in Russia. Read more »

Even with Argentina moving on to a round of 16 matchup against France, there is still the larger issue of an aging player pool for Jorge Sampaoli or any future manager to choose from. Read more »