World Cup Preview: Group B
SteemSports Presenter:@thesportsguy
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
Group B of the 2018 World Cup features a little bit of everything that one might look for when deciding on a new squad to get behind if your country happened to not make it to Russia (U.S.A., Italy, Chile, and the Dutch we are looking at you!). If you like a legendary player, maybe in his last real crack at winning a World Cup, then you go for the obvious and Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. If you like outstanding defense that hardly ever concedes anything, then look no farther than Morocco. If well-organized possession - futbol at its finest is your cup of tea, then Spain is undoubtedly your choice. And finally, perhaps balanced defense and scoring wrapped into an underdog role sounds most appealing t you, then Iran is for you. The group is considered top-heavy with giants Portugal and Spain, but nobody should sleep on either the Moroccans or Iranians, who are both being overlooked, but are capable. We start with the top - ranked squad in the group - Portugal.
PORTUGAL
Appearances: 7th
World Cup History: 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best Finish: 3rd (1966)
World Cup Record: 13-4-9 (W-D-L)
Current World Ranking: (4)
Twice Portugal have made the semi-finals - in their first appearance in 1966, led by the legendary striker Eusébio, and again in 2006 (4th) in Germany. The last two World Cups have not gone to plan however, as a 1-0 round of 16 defeat to Spain bowed them out of the 2010 edition. They failed to get out of the "group of death" in the 2014 W.C. in Brazil, instead seeing Germany and the United States advance to the knockout stage. If Portugal are to make a deep run, it is no surprise that it will be behind Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the nation's all-time leader in caps with 150 and top goal-scorer with 81. How much magic the 33-year old Ronaldo can muster likely will be the determining factor as to the extent Portugal advances in Russia, as there is a significant drop-off in talent after him. The group is do-able, but a deep run for the surprise 2016 Euro Champions doesn't quite seem in the cards this time around, for a squad lacking in depth and goal-scoring ability outside of their all-world super-star.
SPAIN
Appearances: 15th
World Cup History: 1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982 (hosts), 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best Finish: Champions (2010)
World Cup Record: 29-12-18 (W-D-L)
Current World Rank: (10)
It's now 11 World Cups in a row for Spain, as they have become a fixture at soccer's biggest event. The 2010 Champions are a popular pick to go far in this year's edition as well and have plenty of talent to do so. Head man Julen Lopetegui apparently learned a lesson from predecessor Vincente del Bosque and Spain's failure in 2014. While del Bosque led La Roja to glory in 2010 and the World Cup Title, he fielded virtually the same team (albeit 4 years older) in 2014 and were blown out in their opening game by the Dutch, 5-1 and followed that up by losing 2-0 to Chile and were eliminated before even playing their third group match. Lopetegui has infused crazy-good young talent into this year's squad, led by Marco Asensio, and Isco, but still has plenty of veterans at his disposal, led by the seemingly ageless Andres Iniesta. La Furia appears poised for another deep run in Russia and is certainly built to do so. Their Tiki-taka style of play will once again be at full force and ready to cause nightmares for their opponents.
MOROCCO
Appearances: 5th
World Cup History: 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998
Best Finish: Round of 16 (1986)
World Cup Record: 2-4-7 (W-D-L)
Current World Rank: (41)
If the 'Lions of the Atlas' are to advance out of the group stage for only the second time in history, they surely have their hands full with titans Portugal and Spain expected to advance through. However, if a squad is built for an upset, it might just be Morocco, who's defense was unbelievably stingy, as they didn't surrender a single goal in the 3rd round of African qualifying, outscoring the likes of Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mali 11-0 in 6 matches. Throw in their home and away 2nd round against Equatorial Guinea, and they out-scored the competition 13-1 in 8 African qualifiers. In fact, this side hasn't lost since last June, when they were defeated 1-0 by Cameroon in an African Cup of Nations qualifier. They have went 7-2-0 in international competition since, and are as sound defensively as you will find. Head man Herve Renard has the squad back in the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, and it will be interesting to see if they can use their defensive prowess to spark an upset and advance to the second round for the first time since 1986, when they topped a group featuring Portugal, Poland, and England.
IRAN
Appearance: 5th
World Cup History: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014
Best Finish: Group Stage
World Cup Record: 1-3-8 (W-D-L)
Current World Rank: (37)
The highest ranked nation in Asia heads to their second consecutive World Cup for the first time in history. Team Melli has now been the top-ranked team in Asia since December 2014, setting a record for longest consecutive period of time being ranked atop the region. Winners of Group A of Asian qualifying, Iran was once-again solid defensively, allowing only 2 goals in 10 third round qualifying matches. They went unbeaten in the round, winning 6 and drawing 4. Since wrapping up Asian qualifying last September, they've went 6-1-2 in 9 international friendlies. Led by a balanced mix of sound defense and scoring ability, the Iranians are hoping to advance out of the group stage for the first time. While they have a seeming mountain to climb to accomplish that feat, it wouldn't be completely shocking. However, Asia is generally considered the weakest of the qualifying regions, and despite their dominance in the qualifying campaign, could fail to do much of anything in a mighty difficult group to navigate.
PREDICTION: Spain, Portugal advance
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