2018 World Cup (Groups E-H)

E
Brazil -- Not exactly overpowering their opponents so far, but they're comfortably moving into the next round. Coutinho has been their star so far but the injury to Marcelo is worrying, that guy does a lot for them coming out of the back. Still one of the best squads out there even if it feels like they haven't discovered their best form yet.

Switzerland -- I've always been kinda lukewarm on Switzerland but they've impressed me so far. They played Brazil to a standstill and finished a great comeback against Serbia. They've got some sneaky quality up front, sturdy in the back, they're gonna be a tough out going forward.

Serbia -- The poor man's Croatia? Had their moments, I thought they'd get the better of Switzerland but they let that one get away and weren't the same after that. Solid if unspectacular squad. I have no idea how they'll do in Euro 2020.

Costa Rica -- Costa Rica still has some crafty to them but they let Serbia get away and couldn't get past Switzerland either. In 2014 I thought Costa Rica was an underappreciated side, this time they never had enough offense to move ahead. They're usually good, I expect them to be back in 2022.


F
Sweden -- I dunno, man, I was never that impressed with them. They have quality but the scoring chances up front don't tend to get finished and in the back there are holes up the middle. They've made it this far, I suspect they go down to Switzerland in the next round.

Mexico -- They came out strong against Germany (doesn't seem that great in hindsight, does it?) and were thoroughly in control against South Korea. But they played for the scoreless draw against Sweden and then kinda folded after giving up that first goal because they had nowhere to go after that. Troubling result considering how confident they looked early on. Mexico tends to play Brazil close, if they can score early they can shock the world but if they give up a quick goal, can they come back and make a game of it?

South Korea -- They're steadily getting better, they had a frustrating tourney that ended with them punching Germany in the teeth--which must've felt great for those guys! They've got athletes, they've got tactics, as soon as they get some lucky, they'll be a for-real dangerous side. They've become a routine participant in the Cup, I fully expect them to be back in 2022.

Germany -- Man, never seen this guys this low. They spun their wheels against Mexico, pulled out a lucky W in the final seconds against Sweden and never could get anything going against South Korea. Germany getting knocked out in the group stage is like a summer Star Wars movie flopping (oh, yeah, that happened, too, huh?). Who wants to play them in the opening match of Euro 2020?

G
Belgium -- They were my pick to make it to the Final (and still are, by the way), so while I was impressed with their offensive firepower (Lukaku is the MVP of the group stage?), I'm troubled by their rickety defense. Yes, they have injuries which I suppose could resolve themselves as their tourney continues, but fixing the tire while the car is driving is a tough task (impossible, actually, but you know what I mean). I'm open to the idea that they're the best team out there but you can see how they lose, too: that D sags on the wings giving plenty of opportunities for dangerous crosses. They're one of the only teams out there that can seriously plan on outscoring their opponents, but they'll need defense, too. We'll see of they get any.

England -- This is the best England squad we've seen in a while and they definitely look frisky up front. But I'm not sure they have the holding strength to control a game. We'll see, they can score but it feels like they can leave themselves open to disappointment, too. I think they can keep winning games going forward, their bracket is favorable. English fans definitely have hope for Euro 2020.

Tunisia -- They had some spunky moments. They held up well against England and though they kinda got plowed by Belgium, they got their licks in, too. Good win against Panama, felt like they were gonna sleepwalk through that game but they balled out in the 2nd half and pulled out a good W. Africa is really fluid but I wouldn't be surprised to see them back in 2022, thought they good talent from front to back.

Panama -- Yeah, they were the worst team here. As a fellow CONCACAF-er, watching them made me wonder how USA failed to get here (two words: Jurgen Klinsmann). They've got some spunk to them, but no attack and no defense equals no W's in the World Cup. I do not expect to see them in 2022.

H
Colombia -- They were my pre-tourney choice to win it all and they certainly do not look capable of that after these three games. I thought they kinda got lucky at best. They got beat by Japan (Colombia gave that game away, though), bounced back nicely against Poland and did just enough to get the W against Senegal. Falcao has played well but if Rodriguez is hurt they could be in some trouble (though he's done not much so far).

Japan -- Japan plays a clean classy style of football. They remind me of Vanderbilt basketball: they may not have the athletes, but they're smart, they don't make mistakes and if you fuck around, they'll beat ya. They're crafty, can they sneak through Belgium's back line? Normally I would easily say I expect Japan to be in the next Cup but considering fellow Asian country Qatar will be sucking up the host slot, not sure how that affects the rest of Asian qualifying. But they'll probably be in there.

Senegal -- I was generally impressed with Senegal. Their victory over Poland was legit (Senegal was better), drew a hardfought contest with Japan (one of the better games of the Group stage), and kinda got unlucky against Colombia (thought they deserved better). Africa is fluid, never know who's coming out there but I wouldn't be surprised to see Senegal again in 2022.

Poland -- Never got any offense going, a thoroughly bland squad on both sides. I expected them to bring more control and be dangerous around the goal but I never saw any of that. They got run by Senegal and Colombia and pulled out a close one to Japan, who didn't need a result. Not an impressive showing for Poland. Considering how bland they were and how kinda old they looked up front, I don't expect to see Poland in 2022 (curious to see if they can get something going in Euro 2020).