SENEGAL - NETHERLANDS

I think that the Netherlands is a strong favorite here.

Senegal has a lot of talent, probably the best african team right now, but they have a very important absence for this tournament which is Mane. Mane is the star of the team, the topscorer (34 goals in 92 appearances) and a key player because without him, Senegal misses quality, goals and leadership.

Senegal made a poor performance against Egypt in the qualifiers, where they lost 1:0 the first game and achieved the ticket in penalties after winning the second game 1:0.

They have a lot of players playing in european teams, but of course very far from the top european national teams like Netherlands. Have a solid defense based around Koulibaly, but goalkeeper Mendy had a bad season in Chelsea and the midfield is weak in my opinion, especially to break down stronger opponents.

On the other hand, I have the feeling that the Netherlands could make great things here. Few teams will arrive in Qatar in better form than the Netherlands. They reached the World Cup final in 2010 and the semi-finals four years later under Louis van Gaal, who has returned to rejuvenate the side following their last-16 exit at Euro 2020.

The Oranje won all three of their group matches at that tournament, scoring eight goals against Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia, and their attacking unit looks a cut above those of their Group A rivals.

They took 16 points from a possible 18 in the Nations League, beating Belgium at home and away, also winning 4-2 against Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark and drawing with Germany in friendlies earlier in the year.

Have a great coach, with experience and who already reached the semifinals in 2014, beating Spain 1:5 in the group stage. Also have top players in all positions: Van Dijk in defense (who is fit again), De Jong in the midfield, and Depay in attack. It’s an offensive team able to beat anyone if they have a good day.

The team is in great form and with confidence since the EURO, and I see them favorites to finish leaders in this group. Senegal without Mane is a very average team in my opinion and they shouldn’t be able to stop the Oranje machine who looks unstoppable right now.

我认为荷兰是本场的热门。

塞内加尔有很多天才，可能是目前最好的非洲球队，但他们在本届锦标赛中缺席了一个非常重要的缺席，那就是马内。马内是球队的明星、最佳射手（92 场比赛打进 34 球）和关键球员，没有他塞内加尔的实力、进球和领导力都会下降。

塞内加尔在预选赛中对阵埃及表现不佳，首局1:0负于埃及，次局1:0获胜后获得点球入场券。 他们有很多球员在欧洲球队踢球，但当然离像荷兰这样的欧洲顶级国家队还有很远的距离。拥有以库利巴利为基础的稳固防守，但守门员门迪在切尔西度过了一个糟糕的赛季，而且我认为中场力量薄弱，尤其是无法击败更强大的对手。

另一方面，我觉得荷兰可以在这里做出伟大的事情。很少有球队会以更好的状态抵达卡塔尔荷兰。他们在 2010 年打进了世界杯决赛，四年后在路易斯·范加尔的带领下打进了半决赛，范加尔在 2020 年欧洲杯 16 强出局后重返赛场，重振球队。

橙衣军团在那届锦标赛中赢得了小组赛的所有三场比赛，在对阵乌克兰、奥地利和北马其顿的比赛中攻入八球，他们的进攻阵容看起来比 A 组对手高出一筹。

他们在国家联赛中从可能的 18 分中拿下 16 分，在主场和客场击败比利时，还以 4-2 击败 2020 年欧洲杯半决赛选手丹麦，并在今年早些时候的友谊赛中战平德国。

有一位伟大的教练，有经验并且已经在2014年进入半决赛，在小组赛阶段以1：5击败西班牙。也有各个位置的顶级球员：后防线上的范戴克（他又恢复了健康），中场德容，进攻端的德佩。这是一支进攻性强的球队，如果他们状态没问题，可以击败任何人。

自从欧洲杯以来，球队状态良好且充满信心，我看到他们最喜欢完成这个小组中的领导者。在我看来，没有马内的塞内加尔是一支非常普通的球队，他们应该无法阻止现在看起来势不可挡的橙衣军团。

USA - WALES

Great game here, between the two main contenders for the 2nd place.

The USA has probably the best attack I remember in their squad for many years. Some players like Chelsea’s midfielder Pulisic, young Musah (Valencia) or McKenzie (Juventus) are class above, especially Pulisic who is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in this tournament and clearly a matchwinner if the service is right.

They have the youngest team in this World Cup, and maybe they are lacking experience, but have a lot of talent and quality to solve it. Had impressive results in 2021, winning the Gold Cup, Concacaf Nations League and achieving 17 wins in a row. In my opinion, they are the best Concacaf team (even above Mexico).

They have a problem upfront, where they are lacking goals. They don't have any strong striker and sometimes are lacking goals, as shown in the qualifiers scoring 21 goals in 14 games, followed by two friendlies against Japan (2:0) and Saudi Arabia (0:0) where they just made two shots on target.

On the other hand, Wales in my opinion has a very weak team. Half of the team is Gareth Bale, who is already at the end of his career, same as Ramsey and Allen who are injury prone and have lacked much game time.

Made an awful Nations League this year with just one point in 6 games (against Poland, Netherlands and Belgium).

They are lacking pace in the midfield, due to the fact that veterans midfielder couple Ramsey - Allen has very low fit and many times injured as said.

Wales has more experience here, but in terms of quality both teams are on the same level. The USA will play an offensive game as it’s their football mind, and if they play with high pace will surely be above Wales: Americans are young, brave and in great shape (physically speaking), while Wales has a lot of players who are not able to afford a high pace game.

Both teams have a player who can clearly be a match winner if they have the chance: Pulisic and Gareth Bale. But there’s one difference: Pulisic is in much better form than Bale.

This match will be crucial for 2nd place. A draw is very possible but I have to choose one winner, undoubtedly the USA for me.

这场精彩的比赛，是小组第二名主要竞争者之间的比赛。

多年来，美国队的进攻可能是我记忆中最好的。一些球员，如切尔西的中场球员普利西奇、年轻的穆萨（瓦伦西亚）或麦肯齐（尤文图斯）都属于高水平球员，尤其是普利西奇，他无疑是本届锦标赛中最有天赋的球员之一，如果发挥出色很可能会改变比赛。

他们拥有本届世界杯最年轻的球队，也许他们缺乏经验，但有很多天赋和实力来解决这个问题。

2021年成绩斐然，夺得金杯、中美洲国家联赛，取得17连胜。在我看来，他们是最好的北美球队（甚至超过墨西哥）。

他们有一个问题，没有强悍的锋线，有时还缺少进球，预选赛14场打进21球，随后两场友谊赛对阵日本（2:0）和沙特阿拉伯（0:0），他们只进了两球射中目标。

另一方面，我认为威尔士是一支非常弱的球队。球队的一半是加雷斯·贝尔，他的职业生涯已经到了尾声，拉姆塞和阿伦也很容易受伤，上场时间也很少。

今年在 6 场比赛（对波兰、荷兰和比利时）中仅得一分，打出了糟糕的表现。

他们在中场缺乏速度，因为退伍军人中场夫妇拉姆塞-阿伦身体状况很差，多次受伤。

威尔士在这里有更多的经验，但就质量而言，两支球队处于同一水平。美国将打一场进攻性的比赛，因为这是他们的足球头脑，如果他们踢得快，肯定会超过威尔士：美国人年轻、勇敢且身体状况良好（从身体上讲），而威尔士有很多球员不是能够负担得起高节奏的比赛。

两支球队都有能改变比赛走势的球员，如果有机会，他们显然可以成为比赛的赢家：普利西奇和贝尔。但有一点不同：普利西奇的状态比贝尔要好得多。

这场比赛对于获得第二名至关重要。平局是很有可能的，但我必须选择一个赢家，无疑是美国。