World Cup group stage ends in high drama
Germany out, Canada out, Brazil out, USA on life support
In the days before this World Cup began and absconded with my lifestyle, many a man and frequent a woman requested my prediction for who would win.
Can the USA pull it off, again? Many seemed curious to know.
It’s certainly possible, but… went my general refrain. And with every caveat left in the universe, I suppose that remains the case.
But beyond the paint-splattered ladies (for in lieu of looking too American, that’s the style jersey they wear), I had a few other guesses too: England, Germany, Brazil, France, Spain… perhaps Australia, given old Sammy-scores-a-lot, and the host nation vibe.
For just a few of them now, my predicted imaginings remain viable.
Spain and England could threaten running deep, perhaps even meeting in the final. France hit a rhythm, perhaps they’ll find a new gear.
If Australia carries forth the energy from last Monday, they might not simply win the World Cup, but also whatever resides beyond. For they now doggedly pursue the promise of actually seeing Sam Kerr play soccer on the other side.
But two of my predicted favorites, Brazil and Germany, have already gone home.
They bounced in the group stage, to near-everyone’s shock. For Germany, this first round exit marks the first time ever. For Brazil, the first since 1995.
Canada, sweet Canada, fell down in the groups as well. They left a tear-riddled legacy on the sixth World Cup for NWSL’s great northern juggernaut Christine Sinclair.
And so now, at this point, while specific individual nations deserve additional direct mention for how well they’ve played (Japan, I mean you), should anyone ask me for a World Cup prediction, as in the ultimate and eventual winner, what I would say to them now is: absolutely anybody, baby, absolutely anybody at all.
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