This is my new series covering the World Cup. I will pick talking points from each gameday to write about. I will most likely write one or two daily posts until the final. Today, I will be talking about the following:

• Netherlands Tops, Qatar Disappoints

• Koulibaly's Big Moment

• It's Called Soccer, Dude

• Burning Questions for Southgate

Netherlands Tops, Qatar Disappoints

I was expecting something from Qatar. Just any sort of reaction or desire. What happened was the opposite, Qatar didn't look ready physically, tactically, and mentally. I thought that without any pressure, Qatar would do something but I am starting to believe that Qatar's performance in the Asian Cup 2019 was an exception, not the rule. Qatar became the first host to lose the opening match, and the first host to finish the group stage without a single point. Disappointing.

The Netherlands managed to present itself as the best team in the group with Gakpo as their top star as he is the best thing in this team offensively. That said, the Netherlands's offensive tactics aren't really impressive, I don't see their tactics working against the top team, still, they did top their group undefeated, you can't argue with that but I believe we'll start seeing the flaws in Van Gaal's style soon.

The United States of America can really harm the Netherlands as they have the tactical discipline, pace, and quality necessary to do so.

Koulibaly's Big Moment

Koulibaly's career needed a moment to solidify it and this is it.

Koulibaly lead his team into the African cup title, his defensive presence kept Senegal in many games where they should have lost. However, there was never a shot that made people remember Koulibaly in specific. Legends of the games get remembered by those moments, and this was Koulibaly's.

Senegal didn't let Ecuador have a moment of comfort in their match. Their defense was solid, their midfield knew how to spread on the pitch, and their attack knew how to pressure and trackback. Perhaps if Ecuador's players had better quality we'd have seen the flaws in Senegal's system show, but you could only defeat what's in front of you.

Ecuador required individual performance to win but they just didn't have that super player for them. In fact, both teams did as all goals came as a result of fouls. Senegal qualified but the difference between their performance and Ecuador's is very slim. The Netherlands wasn't much better either, but they the experience of getting the points.

It's Called Soccer, Dude

Iran and the United States of America had one of the most overhyped matches due to the obvious political reasons and and the fact that it was such a decisive match.

Iran should have learned from their own performance against Wales and that they're a team good enough to attack and be the team initiating attacks. I was expecting them to do so. Iran wasn't brave, especially in the first half as he gave the ball to the United States when he shouldn't have as the Americans were way too comfortable offensively as they had the ball and defensively as Iran was doing their counter-attacking using two or three players only.

Not only didn't Iran learned from their games against Wales, the Americans didn't either as they went back to defend too deep, losing control of the game as they didn't have strategy to kill the time or at least keep the ball, instead they just returned to defending. The USA's greatest attribute in this group has been their ability to control and outpace opponents, yet it's always the first things they stop doing in the second half. It is very worrying.

The USA needs experience as they have a squad young enough and talented enough to actually have a capable team once the 2026 World Cup comes. They were better than Iran overall in this group, thus, they deserved to be the team qualifying. But, their odd decline in focus, tehncicality, and even tactics in the second is bad.

Once Pulisic, McKennie, and Weah leave the pitch, the USA looks like a completely different and weaker team, beside Pulisic as he left for injury, I have no clue why the coach insisting on those substitutions.

The USA should fix those little problems, but either way, I don't expect them to be easy opponents for the Netherlands.

Burning Questions for Southgate

When you look at Foden and Rashford's performance and effort, then it's normal to ask Southgate about why he prefers seeing Raheem Sterling and Mason Mounth over Foden and Rashford.

Rashford's season as a whole is great, so people have the right to ask about why he is being benched for Raheem Sterling who is lost at Chelsea. Rashford also provides more options than Sterling like spot kicks or long distance shots are more than what Sterling offers. There really isn't anything I could say that Seterling is better at than Rashford this season.

Foden is also a player living a great season under Pep Guardiola with more diverse and versatile style than Mount. Much like Rashford and Sterling's case, I can't see why Foden isn't the one starting. Maybe Southgate just sees something the rest of the world doesn't.

England's big 6-2 win over Iran left us with little criticism but after that, those same starters didn't do much, and it was the subs who did something in England's match against Wales.

Kane not scoring might be more of a bliss than a curse as we see the team progressing and doing well anyway. The time where Kane's presence is actually needed isn't the group stage. England will need Kane later on and they might need only a goal or two from him to win the title.