I feel like this is a classic WC storyline

by Mark, Monday, June 15, 2026, 11:59 (3 days ago) @ HCE

I feel like this storyline happens every World Cup.

I remember Brazil starting slow in several World Cups. Before that Italy was notorious for just squeaking through the group stage.

In a sense I expect these types of outcomes to happen to a few of the top teams and then they'll pull through by the narrowest of margins and crush other team's hopes and dreams in the knockout round.

Spain is really deep with talent, they're gonna get through the knockout round and there's still a really good chance they win the whole thing.

Remember, it sucks, but often there's a team or two that gets through the group stages with multiple draws. Or even a team that has the unglorious 1-1-1 W/D/L performance, but moves ahead on goal differential. 4 points in the group stage can get through w 1 good multi-goal win.

That's just the World Cup imo