I occasionally do modest Internet media work, free of charge of course, for the great Wavis O'Shave (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavis_O%27Shave).
Wavis, whom you might remember as The Hard from Channel 4's The Tube is of Scottish heritage. Apparently. And he's composed a ditty for Scotland's World Cup campaign with compositional assistance from Suno (AI). So I thought - what better way to start a World Cup thread?
[EDIT Jun 28th 2026 Following Scotland's failure to qualify for the knockout stage, Wavis has requested that Knockouts Here We Come should be deleted from YouTube]
As per normal, if we compete we have around 18 million team managers in this country and each of them (myself included) has the winning strategy and selection in mind.
Yesterdays 2-1 win over Norway only strenghtens that belief.
I feel sorry for all of you, and all of the other countries, but the 2026 cup will be lifted first by Virgil.
I always root for Holland (as we perhaps shouldn't call the team now) after England go out, or when we didn't qualify. Except for the 2010 final when I swapped sides after the first ten minutes.
Quote from: Slim on March 28, 2026, 06:27:22 PMI always root for Holland (as we perhaps shouldn't call the team now) after England go out, or when we didn't qualify. Except for the 2010 final when I swapped sides after the first ten minutes.
You know Nigel de Jong is now president of the Dutch version of the FA, the KNVB?
(https://i.ibb.co/CGLfdFL/1475974.webp)
Always loved Holland ..WC final 1974 in West Germany was the first one I can remember watching..
Back to present.. Scotland loss to Japan in a friendly today doesn't bode well
Quote from: Thenop on March 28, 2026, 06:59:03 PMQuote from: Slim on March 28, 2026, 06:27:22 PMI always root for Holland (as we perhaps shouldn't call the team now) after England go out, or when we didn't qualify. Except for the 2010 final when I swapped sides after the first ten minutes.
You know Nigel de Jong is now president of the Dutch version of the FA, the KNVB?
(https://i.ibb.co/CGLfdFL/1475974.webp)
"Looks like he got the ball there" - Lee Dixon
Quote from: Fishy on March 28, 2026, 11:24:43 PMAlways loved Holland ..WC final 1974 in West Germany was the first one I can remember watching..
Back to present.. Scotland loss to Japan in a friendly today doesn't bode well
Japan is very strong though, we are in with them.
No Fifa plan for Italy to replace Iran at World Cup https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy813gy08v2o
The World Cup was supposed to provide a tourism boom for the US, but now the fear is it may never materialise.
A report, external produced by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has found that bookings are well below expectations in almost every host city.
The AHLA said this does not align with Fifa's statement that more than five million tickets have been sold,, external and it creates a risk that "the anticipated economic lift may fall short".
The AHLA is the largest hotel association in the US, representing more than 32,000 properties and over 80% of all franchised hotels.
Its report partially puts the blame at the door of Fifa, accusing world football's governing body of block-booking far too many rooms for its own use and creating false demand.
Good .,fuck you donald .,fuck you all you hotels etc by hiking up your prices..then wonder why demand isn't there .. this WC is going to be awful
really wish we did something like this...
Quote from: Thenop on May 21, 2026, 04:47:08 AMreally wish we did something like this...
Romantic twaddle.. we'll get stuffed😀🙄
Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured, Fifa referees' chief Pierluigi Collina has revealed.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab) has also approved a request to change video assistant referee (VAR) protocol to allow reviews of attacking fouls that happen before the ball is in play.
The 'goalkeeper tactical timeout' has become a hot topic in recent years. It is used by a manager to get new instructions to his players, or to impact the momentum of the opposition.
Good.. now stop the rest of the cheating nonsense that goes on in a football game
Goalkeepers who collect the ball in a stable, upright position should be banned from flopping to the ground. Does my noggin in, that.
(https://i.ibb.co/yFmCZNQJ/italy.jpg)
The Italy squad, waiting to board their flight to the finals.
Italy also presented the official outfit for the worlds
(https://i.ibb.co/VpjMsCmz/Screenshot-20260403-124924-3.jpg)
Damn you me Mexico what was wrong with leaving it at 1-0
Quote from: Fishy on June 12, 2026, 09:16:04 AMDamn you me Mexico what was wrong with leaving it at 1-0
Or better still, making it 3-0 ;D
This is fun for a few minutes:
https://www.3d-bbc.co.uk/
https://www.3d-bbc.co.uk/?matchId=151614
Absolutely terrific performance from USA in a first half battering of Paraguay; I was convinced I'd fall asleep given the time of night but they've kept me well awake with a thoroughly entertaining performance full of slick, impressive and attractive football.
Pulisic has been scintillating, certainly better than any current Chelsea player and arguably better than anything England have in their ranks at the moment.
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 13, 2026, 03:25:05 AMAbsolutely terrific performance from USA in a first half battering of Paraguay; I was convinced I'd fall asleep given the time of night but they've kept me well awake with a thoroughly entertaining performance full of slick, impressive and attractive football.
Pulisic has been scintillating, certainly better than any current Chelsea player and arguably better than anything England have in their ranks at the moment.
"I've created a great USA soccer team, the best soccer team the USA have ever had and probably the best soccer team that ever played the game of soccer....I definitely think that"
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 13, 2026, 03:25:05 AMAbsolutely terrific performance from USA in a first half battering of Paraguay; I was convinced I'd fall asleep given the time of night but they've kept me well awake with a thoroughly entertaining performance full of slick, impressive and attractive football.
Did you really stay up for USA / Paraguay? Not knocking it, just surprised!
I may set an alarm for the second half of the Scotland game to find out the score on 5 Live.
We play Japan tomorrow at (our time) 10 PM. Still not sure whether I will stay up, alarm clock is at 5:20 AM..
Quote from: Thenop on June 13, 2026, 09:33:10 AMWe play Japan tomorrow at (our time) 10 PM. Still not sure whether I will stay up, alarm clock is at 5:20 AM..
I hope your defence has had its Weetabix if wee Daizen Maeda's playing. I've never seen a player with such energy. An incredible athlete.
Quote from: Slim on June 13, 2026, 09:31:07 AMDid you really stay up for USA / Paraguay? Not knocking it, just surprised!
Not specifically, I'd been out seeing Madness at the Piece Hall, had a few jars afterwards and by the time I got home it was 1:30. Thought I might as well start watching the match and was glad I did. :)
Whoever put a tenner on Cabo Verde can die a rich man now
My score guesses are all to hell with recent and current game.. yes I'm looking at you Belgium ffs..
I'm beginning to think this World Cup may have a strange outcome.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 16, 2026, 11:22:53 AMI'm beginning to think this World Cup may have a strange outcome.
Scotland for the win
Quote from: Thenop on June 16, 2026, 12:47:18 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 16, 2026, 11:22:53 AMI'm beginning to think this World Cup may have a strange outcome.
Scotland for the win
Nope Morocco will thump us..
France kick their tournament off tonight against Senegal. The last time they met in the finals France were the reigning Champions and suffered a 1 - 0 loss. Hopefully history doesn't repeat.
Getting 2002 and 2010 vibes here. France abysmal
Should be 2 0 down
Penalty. Every day of the week. However, my wife agrees with the ref (so that's at least two people that are wrong 😄)
Ok perhaps a little premature at half time! But they could barely string a pass together. 2nd much better - perhaps Senegal lost a bit of intensity and France took full advantage.
And David I don't want to disagree with you about everything but I didn't think it was a pen 😂
Ok David, looking again it was a pen. Although Mane didn't touch Mbappe's foot he did put his body in the way of the Frenchman forcing him to the ground without touching the ball. It should have been given
Speaking of fouls, any other player than Messi would have been send off. No change to previous tournaments then, the rules apply to most but not all.
Quote from: dom on June 17, 2026, 03:49:13 PMOk David, looking again it was a pen. Although Mane didn't touch Mbappe's foot he did put his body in the way of the Frenchman forcing him to the ground without touching the ball. It should have been given
I think, even if he'd touched the ball it would still have been a foul. That's because it was a "careless" challenge that forced Mbappe to the ground whilst dispossessing him of the ball or impeding his progress with the ball. As soon as the defender loses control of the challenge by not staying on his feet he opens himself up to the risk of conceding a direct free kick.
Quote from: David L on June 17, 2026, 04:45:16 PMQuote from: dom on June 17, 2026, 03:49:13 PMOk David, looking again it was a pen. Although Mane didn't touch Mbappe's foot he did put his body in the way of the Frenchman forcing him to the ground without touching the ball. It should have been given
I think, even if he'd touched the ball it would still have been a foul. That's because it was a "careless" challenge that forced Mbappe to the ground whilst dispossessing him of the ball or impeding his progress with the ball. As soon as the defender loses control of the challenge by not staying on his feet he opens himself up to the risk of conceding a direct free kick.
As you pointed out dom, physical contact may not have occurred. As you correctly stated, it doesn't matter.
I asked AI: Does a foul tackle have to involve contact?:
No, a foul tackle does not have to involve physical contact. Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, a foul is determined by the nature of the challenge rather than whether the players physically collide.Key details regarding non-contact fouls in football:Attempted Offenses: The laws explicitly penalize attempts. If a player makes a reckless attempt to kick, trip, or strike an opponent, it is a foul even if they completely miss.Reckless or Excessive Force: Lunging in with a dangerous, two-footed tackle that endangers an opponent's safety is a foul and misconduct (potentially a red card), regardless of whether it actually connects.Dangerous Play: Actions like a dangerously high foot (where no contact is made but an opponent is forced to pull out for fear of injury) are penalised as "playing in a dangerous manner".I'm always amazed at how many pundits do not know the laws of the game well enough to give sound opinion. How many times do you hear things like - "but there was no contact!" or "he got the ball!". Complete nonsense.
A drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..
Thank you America for ruining the game
Quote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 06:31:52 PMA drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..
Thank you America for ruining the game
Quote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 06:31:52 PMA drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..
Thank you America for ruining the game
That does seem unnecessary. It was probably planned for the game to be played with the roof open, to be fair.
Quote from: David L on June 17, 2026, 06:45:58 PMQuote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 06:31:52 PMA drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..
Thank you America for ruining the game
Quote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 06:31:52 PMA drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..
Thank you America for ruining the game
That does seem unnecessary. It was probably planned for the game to be played with the roof open, to be fair.
US advertising time.. cunts
Wayne Rooney. Just why???
Go, go Doctor Congo!
Quote from: David L on June 17, 2026, 07:10:53 PMGo, go Doctor Congo!
Portugal are rubbish and Ronaldo is a prick really
Well done DR Congo! Two extra opportunities to take Um Bongo on board really helped out, I feel.
USA - making football great again!
Quote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 07:34:47 PMQuote from: David L on June 17, 2026, 07:10:53 PMGo, go Doctor Congo!
Portugal are rubbish and Ronaldo is a prick really
He should only be a sub, he drains the team and makes them worse
Quote from: dom on June 17, 2026, 08:08:01 PMQuote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 07:34:47 PMQuote from: David L on June 17, 2026, 07:10:53 PMGo, go Doctor Congo!
Portugal are rubbish and Ronaldo is a prick really
He should only be a sub, he drains the team and makes them worse
Haha well done Congo
I feel for the Croatians. The ref had every right to redo the pen, but the encroachment wasn't why Kane didn't score.
A draw will do us here, to be honest although we're winning 3-2 I'm hoping for a draw. I just don't see the Croatians not scoring at least one more.
England were brilliant for the first 15 - 20 minutes of the second half. Wonder whether not taking more advantage of those chances will cost them
O Mighty England. Victory never in doubt.
You may know this already but a win and a loss against Panama and Ghana would not guarantee a top half finish in the group:
(https://i.ibb.co/35mxP3Qf/sevenpoints.png)
England will get found out in the quarters or semis. Croatia didn't look all that.
A very solid start to the campaign with England, at times, looking very good
Chucking it down in Toronto where Ghana and Panama are currently at 0-0. We were lucky with the weather there, got rained on very briefly late one night on the way back from a restaurant. Otherwise, sunny and warm all the time.
Arse.
Was hoping England would get tonked.
Cannot stand endless shots on the BBC news of fat, ugly middle aged men in straining replica shirts throwing beer in the air.
Quote from: Fishy on June 17, 2026, 07:00:35 PMWayne Rooney. Just why???
Better than the inshhufferable McCoisshht.
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 17, 2026, 11:48:28 PMEngland will get found out in the quarters or semis. Croatia didn't look all that.
Don't think so this time. Looking at them last night all I could think was who is going to beat them? They look like a team of very large athletes with technical ability to spare, with a coach who can make changes on the fly.
The strength in depth may prove decisive - being able to cope with injuries and tiredness that will inevitably result from having to play another 7 matches between now and 19th July. A good win against Ghana will help, securing qualification and enabling Tuchel to be able to rest players for the 3rd group game against Panama.
Squad management will be key
15 mins til Showtime.
C'mon Orange!
Well that was a bit of a game! Good times. Scoring 5 in one game, nice.
The Germany game is great..best one I've seen yet..
Quote from: Fishy on June 20, 2026, 09:56:59 PMThe Germany game is great..best one I've seen yet..
Said no one that's German ;D
After Cape Verde now also Curacao making history, first point they won. The goalie, born in Nijmegen and played in the Netherlands for the better part of his career, had 15 (!) saves denying Ecuador scoring a goal.
Neither of these teams will make it to the next round although I kind of wish Curacao did. The away kit is beautiful, classic and they canonly wear it in away games, and all of their games are home games..
(https://i.ibb.co/jvLx2SBN/Cura-ao-Nationaal-Team-2026-Uittenue-Heren-Geel-NL-Greene-Decor.png)
Oh, that Iran goal against Belgium - what a shame he was slightly offside, so clever.
Quote from: pxr5 on June 21, 2026, 08:38:48 PMOh, that Iran goal against Belgium - what a shame he was slightly offside, so clever.
'Slightly offside', is that like 'sort of pregnant'?
Quote from: Thenop on June 21, 2026, 05:59:43 AMAfter Cape Verde now also Curacao making history, first point they won. The goalie, born in Nijmegen and played in the Netherlands for the better part of his career, had 15 (!) saves denying Ecuador scoring a goal.
Neither of these teams will make it to the next round although I kind of wish Curacao did. The away kit is beautiful, classic and they canonly wear it in away games, and all of their games are home games..
(https://i.ibb.co/jvLx2SBN/Cura-ao-Nationaal-Team-2026-Uittenue-Heren-Geel-NL-Greene-Decor.png)
Although on the face of it a 0-0 draw between Ecuador and Curacao looks like it was a dull game between two unfancied sides, it was actually a cracking game of football played at a frantic pace, and while Ecuador dominated, Curacao certainly didn't park the bus and always looked like they might nick something.
Really enjoying this World Cup.
Cape Verde for the win.
Quote from: Thenop on June 22, 2026, 04:56:01 AMCape Verde for the win.
We've derived plenty of unexpected amusement from the linguistic gymnastics that broadcasters have indulged in over the pronouncing of Cape Verde.
Such are the sensitivities nowadays around the desire to avoid offending those from far-away nations we've had: "Cape Verdy" (which has been the recognised way of pronouncing Cape Verde for as long as I can remember), "Cape Verd" and "Cap Verdy".
Hilarious (BBC-instigated) woke nonsense.
Cabo Verde, as in Ca-Bo Vèr-de (2 syllable pronunciation it has always been for me. The Portuguese way.
We have the largest population of the islands people in Rotterdam in the world, I work with some.
Never been an issue in pronunciation here, nor a change.
Trump to attend World Cup final and present trophy https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cze9wp8r6lno
No doubt to present to USA as already arranged..
Ghana did an excellent job of keeping out England tonight. You have to give credit where it's due. England came close but just could not unlock the Ghanaian defence.
England were very, very lucky not to concede a penalty in the late stages. Could so easily have been a 1-0 defeat.
Yes, they played the ugly game well. We should end up on seven points anyway, but it's down to the last game.
So, England can beat a team who rely on a legendary player whose past his peak, but not a team sixty places below them in the rankings who parked the bus. Doesn't bode well.
By the way, I think the only reason Gordon wasn't taken off at half time was that Tuchel couldn't reach deep enough into Seneya's back pocket.
Be sure to all tune in!
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/brazilian-psychic-predicts-alien-abduction-37321839.amp (https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/brazilian-psychic-predicts-alien-abduction-37321839.amp)
Quote from: Thenop on June 24, 2026, 04:03:35 PMBe sure to all tune in!
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/brazilian-psychic-predicts-alien-abduction-37321839.amp
Might be worth watching now 8)
Hopefully abduct most of the Scotland squad then..
God we're shit.. struggling now to get out the group in a stupid competition with too many teams.. usual reliance on other teams fucking up even worse than us., if that's even possible.. to qualify as best third place which in itself is just fkn nonsense...
Beat Haiti, marginal defeat by Morocco, a tough one against Brazil. I wouldn't be too down on them, that's pretty much what you'd expect.
If you do go through to the knockouts there's a shot at redemption.
If we get thru it could be Mexico..so might as well start packing..
From the BBC site, emphasis mine
(https://i.ibb.co/Xk40WBkc/scotl.png)
A tells me there is a 38-42% chance of reaching the knock outs.
Also:
If Scotland qualifies as one of the best third-placed teams, they will face the winner of Group A (Mexico), Group E (Germany), or Group I (France or Norway).
I heard 24% this morning, on the BBC. I don't really know they work that out.
ChatGPT says:
Yes — 24% is very plausible, and I can see how a model could get there.
Scotland's position is fixed now: 3 points, goal difference -3, goals scored 1 after the 3-0 defeat to Brazil.
They can only qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams from the twelve groups. The ranking is by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then fair-play/disciplinary record if needed.
The important bit is this: Scotland do not need most things to go their way. They need at least four of the other third-placed teams to finish below them, because only four of the twelve third-placed teams are eliminated.
But their -3 goal difference and only one goal scored make them a rather poor 3-point third-place side.
My rough model would put it around 20-30%, with 24% bang in the middle.
Here's the rough logic. Scotland are already worse than some completed third-place sides, notably Bosnia & Herzegovina on 4 points and South Korea on 3 points with a better goal difference.
So Scotland need help from the remaining groups. Some groups are quite likely to help them — for example Group E, Group H, Group I or Group K could easily produce a third-place side with fewer than 3 points, or with a worse record. Others are very unlikely to help them — Group F, Group G, Group L, and probably Group D/J are more likely to produce a third-place side better than Scotland.
A back-of-envelope probability table might look like this:
Group / Chance its third-place side finishes below Scotland
D ~10-15%
E ~65-75%
F ~5%
G ~5-10%
H ~45-55%
I ~40-50%
J ~15-20%
K ~45-55%
L ~5-10%
If you combine those — treating them as roughly independent, which is not perfectly true but good enough for this sort of estimate —
Scotland need four or more of those nine groups to be helpful.
Using midpoints from that table gives a probability of about 23-25%.
So I'd say the BBC reporter's 24% is not a "mathematical fact", but it is a very credible model output. It probably comes from a simulation using betting-market or Elo-style match probabilities, repeatedly playing out the remaining group games and counting how often Scotland sneak into the top eight third-place table.
The intuitive version: Scotland are still alive, but they are now relying on several modestly unlikely things happening together. Not miracle territory, but definitely "nervous scoreboard-watching" territory.
It's just complete nonsense that this best third scenario is even happening ..top 2 go thru and that's it.. nice n easy
Quote from: Fishy on June 25, 2026, 10:40:50 AMIf we get thru it could be Mexico..so might as well start packing..
Yeah but there are much better teams out there than Mexico.
Ha! Justice for Ecuador after they should've been awarded a free kick for reckless play before the Germany goal. 1-1
Ecuador aren't a great team but they are playing with so much heart and passion - chasing everything. It's all Scotland, and even England, must do at times. You can then forgive them if they lose; that at least they gave their all - like Ecuador are doing.
I agree with David, that should have been a free kick to Ecuador - why didn't VAR jump in?
Yeah hope Ecuador win actually.. they look good..
GOAL!!!!!!!!!
Yes! Well done Ecuador! Absolutely love the passion of their manager. He looks straight out of Summer Bay!
Bad news for Scotland, ChatGPT reckons Ecuador's result has diminished their chances of continuing to about 8-12%.
Quote from: Slim on June 25, 2026, 11:04:03 PMBad news for Scotland, ChatGPT reckons Ecuador's result has diminished their chances of continuing to about 8-12%.
Awww, what a shame ;D ;)
Just caught the last 15 minutes, was a little agricultural at times but they got the job done.
So looking at the table, Scotland are 8th in the 3rd place rankings, ie in a qualifying place. But the four teams below them all have their final group game to play. Any one of the following will send North Britain home:
- Senegal beat Iraq (20:00 this evening)
- Cape Verde draw with or beat Saudi (01:00 tomorrow morning)
- Belgium draw with or beat New Zealand (04:00 tomorrow morning)
- Congo DR beat Uzbekistan (00:30 Sunday)
I read it was now about 3% chance with all sorts of permutations at play..
ah sorry 5%..
There are eight groups left to play, and Scotland need four third-placed teams to have a worse record than them.
It means they need a minimum of four of the following scenarios to play out:
FRIDAY
Group I: Senegal and Iraq to draw.
Or Iraq to beat Senegal by no more than two goals.
Group H: Uruguay to lose to Spain.
Group G: Iran to lose to Egypt.
SATURDAY
Group L: Croatia to lose to Ghana by at least three goals.
Group K: DR Congo v Uzbekistan to be a draw.
Or Uzbekistan to win by no more than three goals.
Group J: Austria and Algeria are on three points and a draw would send both through.
Scotland need Algeria to lose by two or more goals, or Austria to be beaten by at least four goals.
I'm fully expecting a 0 0 draw in the Algeria Austria game. Both teams go through if the game ends in a draw. Austria have form for this (albeit 44 years ago)
Quote from: Slim on June 26, 2026, 09:39:38 AMSo looking at the table, Scotland are 8th in the 3rd place rankings, ie in a qualifying place. But the four teams below them all have their final group game to play. Any one of the following will send North Britain home:
- Senegal beat Iraq (20:00 this evening)
- Cape Verde draw with or beat Saudi (01:00 tomorrow morning)
- Belgium draw with or beat New Zealand (04:00 tomorrow morning)
- Congo DR beat Uzbekistan (00:30 Sunday)
Senegal are beating Iraq at the moment. Plenty of time though for Iraq to rescue Scotland.
Iraq are down to ten men ..
However I think I might have got this wrong, if Algeria get beaten their negative goal difference could send them below Scotland and keep hopes North of the Border mathematically alive.
Then again if they draw against Austria, both sides will go through. Austria have form for settling for an expedient draw of course, as Dom points out.
This France game is quite lively!
Goal Fest!
Haaland must be fuming that he didn't start.
Senegal are winning 5-0 and have given themselves a +ve goal difference lifeline.
If Cape Verde win by 1 goal later tonight, Scotland will be clinging on by their mathematical fingertips.
They'd need Austria to beat Algeria by two goals or more, and New Zealand to beat Belgium tomorrow morning (4AM).
But whatever else happens, Scotland need New Zealand to win.
So... Cape Verde into the knock outs! Who would've guessed that? Fantastic.
There are three groups left to play, and Scotland need four third-placed teams to have a worse record than them.
We're now at 0.42% chance to qualify...
It means they need these scenarios to play out:
SATURDAY
Group L: Croatia to lose to Ghana by at least three goals.
Group K: DR Congo v Uzbekistan to be a draw.
Or Uzbekistan to win by no more than three goals.
Group J: Austria and Algeria are on three points and a draw would send both through.
Scotland need Algeria to lose by two or more goals, or Austria to be beaten by at least four goals.
Scotlands chances so small mathematicians not even sure the number exists
Quote from: Fishy on June 27, 2026, 02:55:50 PMScotlands chances so small mathematicians not even sure the number exists
He started out so happy..
(https://i.ibb.co/cSv6jTQJ/Screenshot-20260627-161108.png)
The Panama game tonight is a bit of a dead rubber to say the least. We're already through to the knockouts, they're already out.
Quote from: Slim on June 27, 2026, 08:56:37 PMThe Panama game tonight is a bit of a dead rubber to say the least. We're already through to the knockouts, they're already out.
Those are the toughest though. You need a win to keep moral high. And you need to stay in 1 piece, and keep away from the cards.
Scotland need Ghana to score four without reply against Croatia in the next 30 mins. Best of luck.
Clarke has stepped down now, didn't expect that.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yzq73x1p7o
I think history will be kind, on balance.
I missed the game last night. Went out, got pissed, put myself to bed at 10:30pm.
Bad form.
Quote from: Slim on June 28, 2026, 01:26:44 AMClarke has stepped down now, didn't expect that.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yzq73x1p7o
I think history will be kind, on balance.
Not entirely to blame some of the players were just useless and losing goals within 2-7 mins at a World Cup is just asking for trouble.. will be interested to see who replaces him
Quote from: Slim on June 28, 2026, 01:26:44 AMClarke has stepped down now, didn't expect that.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yzq73x1p7o
I think history will be kind, on balance.
It would be nice if this turns out to be the case given that he has taken the team to tournaments. Unfortunately I don't think that will happen. He's never been one to bite his tongue, particularly when it comes to the sectarian abuse he has received down the years. It's a complete blight on this country which shows no signs of abating.
Knives are already sharpened for him and he is well aware, so his departure does not surprise me. It'll be the same if and when Derek McInnes gets the position in the future.
Looks like we meet Brazil in the quarter finals.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/schedule#KnockoutStage
Some stupid bastard had offered up Scott Brown or Moyes for next manger.. jaysus
Canada through then, eh!
Just for interest - this is a screengrab I did in 2002, from the FIFA site on Yahoo. The striking thing now is how small the browser window looks, but back then I think I had an 1152 x 864 resolution screen. Seemed quite roomy at the time.
(https://i.ibb.co/ddYctG9/wcup2002-e.jpg)
That's vintage, even Italy is there!
France had already been knocked out by then. Think it was Denmark and Senegal who got through from France's group
If I remember correctly, France didn't score a goal at that tournament. I think Baddiel and Skinner had a hilarious montage of all their goals featuring Petit, Henry et al standing around doing nothing. Or it might have been the Johnny Vaughan show.
Quote from: Slim on June 28, 2026, 02:31:40 PMLooks like we meet Brazil in the quarter finals.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/schedule#KnockoutStage
Or Japan .. beating Brazil 1-0 at the moment. I'd love to think they can hold on to the lead. Sort of think Brazil will go through.
Quote from: Slim on June 29, 2026, 06:54:46 PMIf I remember correctly, France didn't score a goal at that tournament. I think Baddiel and Skinner had a hilarious montage of all their goals featuring Petit, Henry et al standing around doing nothing. Or it might have been the Johnny Vaughan show.
Don't remember that! Perhaps I wiped it from my memory 😂
Not sure which was worse - that or the absolute shit show in South Africa 8 years later when the whole squad fell apart in acrimony and the manager, Domenech, used astrology to decide who to play. I suppose it was deserved as they qualified after the Henry handball against Ireland.
Germany v Paraguay following the same script as Brazil/Japan. A goal from nowhere for Paraguay with 84% possession to the Germans.
Yes, once again one of the great World Cup nations going a goal down in the first half to a lesser side. But I think the second half will follow the same script as well. Ah .. 1-1 already
Hah! Hah! Hah! Tah over the bah! ;D
Well done Paraguay..
And we're out after a disastrous series of shoots outs.
Unbelievable.
I managed not to find out the Morocco / Netherlands score and watched the highlights unspoiled 10 minutes ago. Absolutely awful penalty shootout.
Looked like a good game though, plenty of drama and a lot of spectacular near misses.
Germany's record is surprisingly poor since they won the World Cup in 2014, especially in the World Cup. Last 32 this time, group stage last time, group stage in 2018.
Dutch press is all about how awful the team played, they should give credit to Morocco though, they simply played better and were more engaged.
Also: all these so called experts being surprised, why? 4 years ago Morocco lost 1 game: the semi final against France (and the stupid nonsensical 3rd place thing no one wants to see or play)
Before that they won the group with Croatia, Belgium and Canada b(2 wins and a draw against Croatia), they booted out Spain after penalties for the 8th finals, they beat Portugal in the QF. Why is this a surprise then?
That French forward line - WoW! Joy to watch!
It's very difficult to see past France for this tournament now. Mbappe has been unplayable and he has at least another couple of supreme attacking talents playing around him.
Is there a defence left in this competition that they can't tie in knots? Doesn't look like it.
I just hope they don't peak too soon. It's a long competition and it often happens that those that start the strongest don't end up winning it. It seems to work better if a team starts indifferently and even struggles before finding their form in the latter rounds - England perhaps?
Right back? >:(
Quote from: David L on July 01, 2026, 05:09:52 PMRight back? >:(
Actually looked like Konsa had left his man and Spence had no choice but to cover. Panic after the goal caused a few England players to completely lose their heads. Bellingham cannot now afford to lose his temper again. Rashford should also be on a yellow.
Very poor start for England.
Aaaw, no penalty for England! Looked like the keeper had Kane's ankles but no, on replay, I think Kane instinctively went to ground. If DR Congo win by one it will be debated endlessly.
Exciting!
Shades of Jan Tomaszewski with DR Congo's keeper. If he keeps up this performance he'll be made a prince when he returns home ;D
Harry Kaaaaaaaaaaaane! ;D
Harry KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!!!!!!
England dominated without creating too much. But they did enough! That 2nd goal from Kane was brilliant. So much power and yet in target. Sensational
Never doubted it.
Quote from: Thenop on March 28, 2026, 01:40:04 PMAs per normal, if we compete we have around 18 million team managers in this country and each of them (myself included) has the winning strategy and selection in mind.
Yesterdays 2-1 win over Norway only strenghtens that belief.
I feel sorry for all of you, and all of the other countries, but the 2026 cup will be lifted first by Virgil.
Oh dear
Can you imagine the French players being so inconsistent with the levels of their application as England's?
Can you imagine their most prized and potent asset being more interested in trying to con the referee for 75 minutes rather than making himself a serious goal threat? Olise letting the sort of petulance Bellingham too often shows detrimentally affect his game? One of their central midfielders with ball retention as awful as Anderson's was today? Dembele or Doue's end product as non-existent as Madueke's and Rashford's? Nope!
What's easy to imagine though is all those players cutting through a defence that includes a player who last season was embarrassingly poor against a National League North side.
But, of course, that's getting ahead of ourselves. After 3 out of 4 games in nicely air-conditioned stadia struggling and huffing-and-puffing against mediocre opposition for the vast majority of the time, I'm not exactly holding high expectations for when England play in high humidity and at high altitude with 80K+ ultra-partisan fans roaring every kick of the opposition.
God ... Belgium are shit..
Mexico will be a very tough opponent. Extremely good record at home helped by the relative high altitude of the stadium and fervent home support. England win that game they will have to have played very well
Quote from: Fishy on July 01, 2026, 10:38:30 PMGod ... Belgium are shit..
Take it back.. they are ok
Can't believe Belgium pulled that out of the fire. The Senegalese must be gutted.
What a game! Well done Belgium!
Home soil does something to teams. Time to bring it over here..
Who put 50p in Belgium with five minutes left?! Probably the same guy who put 50p in Kane. :)
Come on Cabo Verde! Currently 1-1 with the world champions.
Highly enjoyable - that was well worth staying up for. Pity they couldn't quite get it over the line
What an extraordinary goal by Cape Verde to make it 2-2 against Argentina in extra time; that will go down in World Cup folklore. Although they're now out, they've certainly gained a kind of popular moral victory; I hope to see them back.
Columbia vs Ghana is a fixture I'd have zero interest in outside of the World Cup, and even then I had no plans to stay up and watch it, but it's been terrific.
Columbia are in my top three most entertaining teams to watch in this tournament, along with France and, completely unexpectedly, USA.
Real shame Cape Verde didn't make it. Now we haveto go and watch whining Argentinians until the end.
They put up a fantastic fight though, this is a great team.
I watched Cabo Verde's valiant attempt to beat the Argies up until I could no longer keep my eyes open. Alas, I missed the extra-time drama!
Horrible team Paraguay, nasty niggly and unpleasant; the ref was abysmal!
Pity Paraguay couldn't beat Africa.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 05, 2026, 11:34:44 AMPity Paraguay couldn't beat Africa.
No place for that Nick!
At this World Cup there are 98 players who were born in France. And one of France's best Olise was born in England
Quote from: dom on July 05, 2026, 12:54:21 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 05, 2026, 11:34:44 AMPity Paraguay couldn't beat Africa.
No place for that Nick!
At this World Cup there are 98 players who were born in France. And one of France's best Olise was born in England
I was just riffing on what former Paraguay goalie Chilavert was saying.
Still, pity Glorious Paraguay couldn't beat a box of Frogs. I have zero interest in the Soccerball World Cup; apart from hearing that France - and Ingerland - have been soundly defeated.
I'd have to agree, with regret, that France isn't actually taking part in this World Cup. Their team of mercenary Africans doesn't represent the French people or their culture.
When I think of France, I think of Bardot, Dijon mustard, Cafe proprietors in aprons with bottles of red wine. Men on bicycles with berets on, and (optionally) strings of onions. The Maquis. Bastille Day. Napoleon with one hand in his coat. Sacha Distel. Citroen 2CVs, Camembert, surrendering quickly in wars, the can-can at the Moulin Rouge, Gerard Depardieu, the Impressionist painters.
I wouldn't be surprised if none of their African Legion national side has heard of Charles Aznavour. If the French feel they're being represented by them, they're fools.
When I think of France I think of dog shit on the pavements, an overarching smell of piss, a general aversion to soap and deodorants, some decent if way overpriced wine and a Fucking Shit Standardised Chart of Accounts.
Only trouble that could describe Britain these days, apart from the Chart of Accounts and the dog shit is hanging in plastic bags in hedgerows...
Quote from: Slim on July 05, 2026, 09:41:06 PMI'd have to agree, with regret, that France isn't actually taking part in this World Cup. Their team of mercenary Africans doesn't represent the French people or their culture.
When I think of France, I think of Bardot, Dijon mustard, Cafe proprietors in aprons with bottles of red wine. Men on bicycles with berets on, and (optionally) strings of onions. The Maquis. Bastille Day. Napoleon with one hand in his coat. Sacha Distel. Citroen 2CVs, Camembert, surrendering quickly in wars, the can-can at the Moulin Rouge, Gerard Depardieu, the Impressionist painters.
I wouldn't be surprised if none of their African Legion national side has heard of Charles Aznavour. If the French feel they're being represented by them, they're fools.
There's little doubt that most western nations will come to be represented by those of African origins, especially in those sports that require high levels of athleticism.
In 1966, I'm sure that few would've thought that an England team competing in the 2026 World Cup would look so different.
Quote from: Slim on July 05, 2026, 09:41:06 PMI'd have to agree, with regret, that France isn't actually taking part in this World Cup. Their team of mercenary Africans doesn't represent the French people or their culture.
When I think of France, I think of Bardot, Dijon mustard, Cafe proprietors in aprons with bottles of red wine. Men on bicycles with berets on, and (optionally) strings of onions. The Maquis. Bastille Day. Napoleon with one hand in his coat. Sacha Distel. Citroen 2CVs, Camembert, surrendering quickly in wars, the can-can at the Moulin Rouge, Gerard Depardieu, the Impressionist painters.
I wouldn't be surprised if none of their African Legion national side has heard of Charles Aznavour. If the French feel they're being represented by them, they're fools.
You're stuck in the 1950s there. Life has moved on since then. Not all for the good but constant change is here to stay.
No way can this French squad can be considered mercenary Africans. Of the 26 selected, 23 were born in France. Of the 3 born outside France, one was born in England, one on Italy. Yes the reserve keeper was born in Africa and moved to France when he was 6
Bye, bye Brasil!
"Born in France"
"French"
I won't bother with a Venn diagram, I think you can imagine it.
Nice move of the goal posts there. You called them mercenary africans. They are neither.
They are certainly, predominantly Africans. Silly to pretend otherwise. Mercenaries in the sense that they're pursuing a career under a flag that isn't really theirs.
Bloody Haaland. Have to confess I'm beginning to get a grudging admiration for the fecker.
Quote from: Slim on July 05, 2026, 11:18:06 PMThey are certainly, predominantly Africans. Silly to pretend otherwise. Mercenaries in the sense that they're pursuing a career under a flag that isn't really theirs.
A flag whose country they were born in, educated them, and learnt their entire football education from.
International football teams are composed of teams with the same nationality, not phenotype
England kick-off delayed until 2:00am. I'm glad I opted to stay home, those watching in a pub stand a chance of not seeing the conclusion :-\
GOAL!!!!!! Great ball in from the right from Saka. Bellingham heads in...........and whilst typing this it's two!! Bellingham again!
C'mon England, it's ours for the taking now!
Mexico pull one back! We've got a game! 2-1 England. Let's keep it there until half-time lads.
How on earth have England got to the break one goal to the good against the run of play? Very heavy pressure from Mexico at the end of the first half. Pickford makes two great saves to preserve England's one-goal lead.
This next 45 minutes is going to be a real test.
Quansah off after VAR review rightly determines he's made a dangerous challenge - England up against it now.
Wow! Anthony Gordon has won a penalty for England as keeper takes his ankles!
Harry KAAAAAAAAAAAAANE!!!!!!
3-1 England with 30 mins on the clock.
S**t! Harry Kane concedes a penalty after VAR review - scored. Seemed harsh but ref is up against massive pressure from the crowd.
England again down to one goal ahead. Unlimited drama in this one!
England have done it! What a game! We have witnessed one of the best performances from an England side ever! Well played England!
Time for bed!
Dramatic stuff. Finally a consistently good England performance in very testing circumstances.
Confidence and morale will be high going into the Norway game.
Quote from: dom on July 05, 2026, 11:35:39 PMA flag whose country they were born in, educated them, and learnt their entire football education from.
International football teams are composed of teams with the same nationality, not phenotype
Yes, I understand why it's happened. And I don't think it's fixable now.
When politics and sports collide, the game loses:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5yzzd73871o (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5yzzd73871o)
Quote from: Thenop on July 06, 2026, 11:44:46 AMWhen politics and sports collide, the game loses:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5yzzd73871o
FIFA have stained the game with or without the intervention of politicians for years, no different now. This case makes particularly good copy.
I hope Belgium stuff them..
Quote from: Slim on July 06, 2026, 11:09:17 AMQuote from: dom on July 05, 2026, 11:35:39 PMA flag whose country they were born in, educated them, and learnt their entire football education from.
International football teams are composed of teams with the same nationality, not phenotype
Yes, I understand why it's happened. And I don't think it's fixable now.
Was ever thus!
Quote from: Fishy on July 06, 2026, 01:33:06 PMI hope Belgium stuff them..
Oh I dunno; purely from a footballing perspective, USA have been far more entertaining to watch than Belgium.
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 06, 2026, 02:19:17 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 06, 2026, 01:33:06 PMI hope Belgium stuff them..
Oh I dunno; purely from a footballing perspective, USA have been far more entertaining to watch than Belgium.
Give me dull over corrupt..any day
Quote from: Fishy on July 06, 2026, 03:17:48 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on July 06, 2026, 02:19:17 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 06, 2026, 01:33:06 PMI hope Belgium stuff them..
Oh I dunno; purely from a footballing perspective, USA have been far more entertaining to watch than Belgium.
Give me dull over corrupt..any day
Talking of dull spain Portugal is dreadful.. oh hang on .. a goal at last
Quote from: Fishy on July 06, 2026, 03:17:48 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on July 06, 2026, 02:19:17 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 06, 2026, 01:33:06 PMI hope Belgium stuff them..
Oh I dunno; purely from a footballing perspective, USA have been far more entertaining to watch than Belgium.
Give me dull over corrupt..any day
Well yes, but that relates to the ludicrous political interference rather than the actual football being played.
Qatar was played in controversial circumstances, but the actual play overall was great.
It's actually in the USA's interest to be beaten in the early hours of this morning. It's the quickest way for their shame to be forgotten. Any further participation in this competition is tainted; they're a disgrace.
Trump don't care!
When he was coming out with that ridiculous nonsense his staff behind him were literally laughing! They are fully aware that he knows nothing about the game of "soccer". In fact, he's fully aware that he knows nothing about "soccer". He sees this purely as a politician. If he can help secure the World Cup for the USA, he knows that will help him.
The biggest issue here is that FIFA is run by a guy who has no morals and is weak. If FIFA was run by someone with an ounce of integrity they'd have politely told him to 'do one'. Infantino is beguiled by Trump because he thinks he makes him look more important - just plain vanity.
Trump is shameless, we already knew that. He'll do literally anything to increase his popularity among the US voters. He saw a gap in FIFA's defence and has exploited it for his own ends. Shame on FIFA.
Well, USA have been dumped out of the tournament after an abject display against a very professional Belgian side.
No host nations left now.
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 07, 2026, 03:01:04 AMWell, USA have been dumped out of the tournament after an abject display against a very professional Belgian side.
No host nations left now.
Good fuck USA😀
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cx266ee3v2mo
Watch this one Donald
US President Donald Trump suggested that Belgium fans wouldn't have enjoyed a win over USA had his nation played without Folarin Balogun.
In a White House briefing on Monday afternoon he said: "I will tell you this, the people in Belgium, if they win the game, they can be very proud.
Stupid old useless cunt Donald you really are..
Quote from: Fishy on July 07, 2026, 08:35:59 AMUS President Donald Trump suggested that Belgium fans wouldn't have enjoyed a win over USA had his nation played without Folarin Balogun.
In a White House briefing on Monday afternoon he said: "I will tell you this, the people in Belgium, if they win the game, they can be very proud.
Stupid old useless cunt Donald you really are..
Making the World Cup great again! ;D
https://www.reddit.com/r/sports/comments/1upkbuz/belgium_national_team_celebrated_their_fourth/
That fat fool Pochettino had an opportunity to enhance his reputation by leaving Balogun out. Instead he's left an indelible stain on it, for nothing.
(https://i.ibb.co/Y7WVJsrC/fatfool.avif)
It would have made sense but that's not considering the malignant narcissist in the White House
He might as well have not been on the pitch for 99% of the game anyway. Was dreadful, but then so were his team-mates.
Sublime technique from Messi for the equaliser!
Great game .. superb stuff..
Argentina spawn another shaky win - fuckers.
What a shame.
Didn't expect them to get out of jail there, let alone score three and win before extra time. Shame.
The Sphinx, Alexander The Great, Cleopatra, Tutankhamen - Tutankhamen - your boys took one hell of a beating
Quote from: dom on July 07, 2026, 07:24:55 PMThe Sphinx, Alexander The Great, Cleopatra, Tutankhamen - Tutankhamen - your boys took one hell of a beating
Wasn't ATG a Bubble?
Quite possibly 😂 I was struggling to think of famous Egyptians - I did consider Ramses II
Quote from: dom on July 07, 2026, 07:45:16 PMQuite possibly 😂 I was struggling to think of famous Egyptians - I did consider Ramses II
;D
Mohamed Al-Fayed
Good shout! And he would have improved it I think - might even have been worthy of the repeated name
Egypt winger Mostafa Zico, whose goal was denied by VAR, speaking after his side's defeat:
"The referee was really not fair. Not fair. Referee not fair. The injustice was clear.
"We did a really good job in the early stages of the match. There's been an unfairness right from the start of the match.
"A 2-0 lead isn't enough to beat Argentina.
"It is clear that this tournament has been fixed. But God is sufficient for us."
Oh dear.. as soon as you bring God into your thinking you've lost the argument..
Quote from: David L on July 07, 2026, 07:41:19 PMQuote from: dom on July 07, 2026, 07:24:55 PMThe Sphinx, Alexander The Great, Cleopatra, Tutankhamen - Tutankhamen - your boys took one hell of a beating
Wasn't ATG a Bubble?
Yes, specifically Ancient Macedonian. There's a statue of him and his horse in Thessaloniki in northern Greece which, guess what, I've visited: :)
(https://i.ibb.co/My1LQpz9/IMG-4190.jpg)
Yeah just looked it up and he spent less than a year in Egypt, certainly less Egyptian than Mbappe is French 😂
Quote from: dom on July 07, 2026, 07:45:16 PMQuite possibly 😂 I was struggling to think of famous Egyptians - I did consider Ramses II
Sam the Sham ;D
France v Morocco - Mbappe has a soft penalty saved after trying to cheat by placing the ball 12" closer to the goal than it should've been. He was repeatedly told to place it correctly by the ref and then, after trying to fool the keeper with a stuttering run up, placed it right in his mitts!
;D
Awful pen, I thought all the delay was down to VAR though not ball positioning?
Quote from: dom on July 09, 2026, 09:53:18 PMAwful pen, I thought all the delay was down to VAR though not ball positioning?
A bit of both I think. A shit penalty for sure, but as I type it's 2-0. Why didn't VAR go back to the potential handball like they did for that stunning non-goal that Egypt scored? Fishy, fishy FIFA and now our guy has a 2 game ban - probably in case we meet the Argies in the semis. These dodgy decisions favouring the likes of Argentina and the USA are really putting off football.
Must admit I was a little concerned when every match official including all the VAR lads were announced as Argentinian. Needn't have worried, only complaint being why VAR spent 3 minutes checking it when it was so clear cut.
Mbappe's finish was a beauty so he made up for the penalty miss
2nd goal killed the game as a contest and it petered out to its inevitable conclusion. Belgium or more likely Spain will be a much tougher test
As for the handball as the ball rebounded off Rabiot's foot and onto his hand so it's counted as accidental - that's why VAR didn't overturn the goal
Stuttering penalty nonsense.. shouldn't be allowed.. just run up and hit the bloody ball ffs..
I think the goalies have generally got used to the stuttering penalty technique, actually I think it's to their advantage now.
Of course they have, if you shoot hard enough they simply don't have the ability to react fast enough. Stop and stutter will impact the force you put into it.
It is either the speed, or the placement that makes for a good penalty (or both of course, ideally).
But being Dutch I am at the bottom of the expertise list to talk about penalties...
Being Scottish i have no expertise whatsoever...
I think the delay caused by VAR really ups the pressure on the striker - even the best in the World - they probably need some mindful training or something. I remember in the 90s Davor Suker used to measure his heart rate by feeling his carotid artery. And that did the trick for him. He never missed in regulation play - didn't work in shoot-outs - he definitely missed one in a European tie for Arsenal.
If you're going to stutter then you're best going full Panenka. I'm with Nop though. Long run up and blast it and try to put the keeper in the net as well.
I wish ITV would show the games in UHD like the BBC do. The games are stunning in 4k.
That's interesting. Probably a higher bitrate making the difference rather than the resolution (which I think is mostly snake oil, a bit like HD audio).
Into the last four. That's got to go down as a successful finals for Tuchel, and England. A mauling in the semi would take the shine off.
It is criminal how Argentina is pushed towards the final. They were far from the better team, and somehow when they needed it most a very curious yellow turned them into a powerplay situation.
Shame on them. I counting on England to crush them in the semis.
Bring on the Argies!
Not a very convincing performance against Norway. England started well with loads of possession but could not create chances on goal. It looked like England were going to give the Norwegians a real lesson but it went completely awry after the hydration break with loads of mistakes from England players, giving the ball away cheaply. From then on you just knew it was going to be a nail-biter.
A quiet game for Kane with only a couple of half-chances this time. Bellingham's value to England is immeasurable. Great character shown but they're not looking like a World Cup winning side. I think their greatest strength lies in team spirit.
The overturned England penalty was the correct decision.
Bellendingham should have been booked for wrapping his leg around the other player and trying to get a penalty.. it's just plain cheating. .. same got Kane who fell over just before the Norway goal Not this game but other games where all the pulling n pushing in the penalty box for corners / free kicks.. is just accepted..throw ins taken from nowhere near where the ball went out etc etc. football is just a free for all basically.. who needs refs or VAR
Quote from: Fishy on July 12, 2026, 10:41:44 AMBellendingham should have been booked for wrapping his leg around the other player and trying to get a penalty.. it's just plain cheating. .. same got Kane who fell over just before the Norway goal Not this game but other games where all the pulling n pushing in the penalty box for corners / free kicks.. is just accepted..throw ins taken from nowhere near where the ball went out etc etc. football is just a free for all basically.. who needs refs or VAR
Unfortunately, it's been allowed for too long now to do anything about it. Cheating is part of the training regime, I'm sure.
Quote from: Fishy on July 12, 2026, 10:41:44 AMBellendingham should have been booked for wrapping his leg around the other player and trying to get a penalty.. it's just plain cheating.
It was Djed Spence, unless I missed another similar example. He's not actually English, in any case.
Quote from: Slim on July 12, 2026, 12:52:30 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 12, 2026, 10:41:44 AMBellendingham should have been booked for wrapping his leg around the other player and trying to get a penalty.. it's just plain cheating.
It was Djed Spence, unless I missed another similar example. He's not actually English, in any case.
Yes ur right apologies.. he should have been booked
Quote from: David L on July 12, 2026, 09:12:04 AMBring on the Argies!
Not a very convincing performance against Norway. England started well with loads of possession but could not create chances on goal. It looked like England were going to give the Norwegians a real lesson but it went completely awry after the hydration break with loads of mistakes from England players, giving the ball away cheaply. From then on you just knew it was going to be a nail-biter.
A quiet game for Kane with only a couple of half-chances this time. Bellingham's value to England is immeasurable. Great character shown but they're not looking like a World Cup winning side. I think their greatest strength lies in team spirit.
The overturned England penalty was the correct decision.
They always lift their game to a different level for these. I suppose it should be called the Malvinas factor. Still a lot of bad feeling just below the surface after all these years. Could be tasty.
Quote from: Fishy on July 12, 2026, 10:41:44 AMBellendingham should have been booked for wrapping his leg around the other player and trying to get a penalty.. it's just plain cheating. .. same got Kane who fell over just before the Norway goal Not this game but other games where all the pulling n pushing in the penalty box for corners / free kicks.. is just accepted..throw ins taken from nowhere near where the ball went out etc etc. football is just a free for all basically.. who needs refs or VAR
Harry also does a fair old bit of moaning. Almost as annoying as the repetitive shots of Beckham in the dear seats where Champagne seems compulsory. Didn't mind seeing old Mick though. Weird that he supports Arsenal AND Spurs. Is that not a bit like Liverpool plus Everton? The commentators still annoy me more than the actual England team though.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 05, 2026, 11:34:44 AMPity Paraguay couldn't beat Africa.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/mariano-rajoy-racism-france-vs-spain-world-cup-b3013873.html
Shocking stuff to hear in 2026. It really feels as if society is regressing
Quote from: dom on July 13, 2026, 04:13:33 PMShocking stuff to hear in 2026. It really feels as if society is regressing
Oh, it definitely is. For many reasons.
It's a pity that confusion between ethnic origin and national identity is part of the list
Quote from: David L on July 13, 2026, 03:55:17 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 05, 2026, 11:34:44 AMPity Paraguay couldn't beat Africa.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/mariano-rajoy-racism-france-vs-spain-world-cup-b3013873.html
That's not racist in the slightest, it's just an acknowledgement of the reality.
Best paragraph in the article
QuotePrime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, posted on X on Sunday: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."
(https://thumbsnap.com/i/aA9Y3NL4.jpg)
Quote from: dom on July 13, 2026, 04:50:39 PMBest paragraph in the article
QuotePrime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, posted on X on Sunday: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."
Just nonsense. Playing the "racism!" card is the surest way of demonstrating that he has no argument.
The truth - as you must know - is that the French people are being represented at the World Cup in name alone. There is no way for a French side to win, and if the French flag side were to prevail in a final, that would only underline the sorry fact that football has been taken away from them by immigration.
Funny how representation and inclusion are soooo important unless you're white, isn't it?
Quote from: pxr5 on July 13, 2026, 06:29:00 PM(https://thumbsnap.com/i/aA9Y3NL4.jpg)
Probably will be!
Most of the boy's friends are Norwegian, most of them have never shown any interest in Soccer. They're now all treating the boy like shit :)
This line of argument makes no sense.
A key tenet of humanity is defined by movement.
Even if we just stick to football the best French player of the 1950s (where your nostalgic l perception of France seems to come from) was Raymond Kopa, his grandfather came to France from Poland to be a miner, his dad had the same profession.
Michel Platini the 70s/80s superstar was descended from Italian stock. Both considered themselves French. Not only did Platini captain France he also became their manager
I suppose the question is, when does someone become the nationality of their land of birth? How many sets of parents need to have decided to stay in the same place to be able to qualify? Should only native Americans be able to play for the US or is there a more recent timescale you had in mind?
And how many millions of people are essentially without nationality as their forbears moved to another nation too recently
Apparently for the first time ever, the best 4 ranked teams have reached the semi finals.
If this continues 1 Vs 2 would be an Argentina Spain final. Hopefully not
Quote from: dom on July 13, 2026, 11:10:52 PMApparently for the first time ever, the best 4 ranked teams have reached the semi finals.
If this continues 1 Vs 2 would be an Argentina Spain final. Hopefully not
I agree, it's time France and England settle their differences at last.
Pity Sir Nicholas
@Nickslikk2112 does not like football, he would agree with me for sure.
Quote from: dom on July 13, 2026, 09:58:34 PMThis line of argument makes no sense.
It makes
complete sense. There's more to your heritage, your culture, your (genuine) loyalty than a right to a passport or a place of birth. It's not only the French flag side who are affected by this; it's a nonsense for example to pretend that Bukayo Saka or Djed Spence are English. But the French flag side is defined by being nearly completely absent of French players. France's African immigrant community is being represented at the World Cup, France isn't.
Will we feel sport has been 'enriched' when all national football sides are represented by teams composed entirely of players of African origin?
Will it be a cause for celebration when foreign travel becomes largely worthless?
We all know that our politicians are responsible for making this a reality but is it to be embraced without criticism?
Quote from: Slim on July 14, 2026, 08:49:55 AMQuote from: dom on July 13, 2026, 09:58:34 PMThis line of argument makes no sense.
It makes complete sense. There's more to your heritage, your culture, your (genuine) loyalty than a right to a passport or a place of birth. It's not only the French flag side who are affected by this; it's a nonsense for example to pretend that Bukayo Saka or Djed Spence are English. But the French flag side is defined by being nearly completely absent of French players. France's African immigrant community is being represented at the World Cup, France isn't.
I had written a really long reply but I'm going to shorten it. I notice you ignored most of my last reply so I'll keep this one shortter
Who should the likes of Spence, Saka, Mbappe and Dembele play for if not the country that they consider home, that brought them up, educated and coached them?
Quote from: Thenop on July 14, 2026, 04:54:33 AMQuote from: dom on July 13, 2026, 11:10:52 PMApparently for the first time ever, the best 4 ranked teams have reached the semi finals.
If this continues 1 Vs 2 would be an Argentina Spain final. Hopefully not
I agree, it's time France and England settle their differences at last.
Pity Sir Nicholas @Nickslikk2112 does not like football, he would agree with me for sure.
I'd like them both to be disqualified LOL ;D
Anyway, it's just our Darkies v their Darkies... *Tourettes*
Quote from: dom on July 14, 2026, 09:31:12 AMI had written a really long reply but I'm going to shorten it. I notice you ignored most of my last reply so I'll keep this one shorter
I didn't ignore it, I just replied to the salient point.
QuoteWho should the likes of Spence, Saka, Mbappe and Dembele play for if not the country that they consider home, that brought them up, educated and coached them?
Ask Wes Morgan. Born, brought up, educated and coached in England. Played for Jamaica.
Probably because he wasn't good enough for England!
Seriously though, allegiances can vary—and one advantage of having a varied heritage is the choice it gives you, based on eligibility and personal preference. Jack Charlton used this brilliantly when he managed Ireland—Irish accents in his squad were at a premium. But just as Andy Townsend and Ray Houghton chose Ireland, Declan Rice, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, and Jack Grealish chose England. That's how the system works: choice, not blood quantum.
And remember over 99 players at this World Cup were born in France. France isn't being 'replaced' in its own team. It's literally producing the world's talent.
The one thing I don't agree with in the system is that players can switch to a different nationality when they have played for another one at youth or u21 level - I don't think that should be allowed
Quote from: dom on July 14, 2026, 07:36:07 PMFrance isn't being 'replaced' in its own team.
The French are most certainly being replaced in their own country.
Viva España!
The African side need two without reply in about 15 mins, wouldn't surprise me though. If they got the first I'd put money on the second.
Don't think they're going to pull the lapin from the chapeau.
England have made it to the last three! That's quite the achievement.
Well played Spain. I think that was stronger French team that won and lost the last 2 finals so big disappointment to lose and play so poorly.
Quote from: Slim on July 14, 2026, 09:42:25 PMThe African side need two without reply in about 15 mins, wouldn't surprise me though. If they got the first I'd put money on the second.
That's poor! Beneath you
Kylian Mbappe, Didier Deschamps, Ousmane Dembélè, Emanuelle Macron, Charles de Gaulle, Toulouse-Lautrec, Mr.Bricolage, Georges Pompidou, Michel Barnier, Charles Aznavour, Gerard Depardieu, Asterix the Gaul, Joe le Taxi - your boys took one hell of a beating!
To really bring it home you need to repeat the last figure...
I E.
Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana,[we have beaten them all, we have beaten them all!]. Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher ... your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"
We can try but I don't think that will ever be beaten 😁
Quote from: dom on July 14, 2026, 10:31:32 PMTo really bring it home you need to repeat the last figure...
I E.
Lord Nelson, Lord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana,[we have beaten them all, we have beaten them all!]. Maggie Thatcher, can you hear me? Maggie Thatcher ... your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!"
We can try but I don't think that will ever be beaten 😁
Yes, I must remember the exact format. And I must brush up on famous Argentinians..............but then again ;D
England's biggest match since 1966 as Three Lions close in on immortality
Jaysus ...bbc headlines. Going into overdrive.. it's just a fkn game of football..
Quote from: David L on July 14, 2026, 08:30:48 PMQuote from: dom on July 14, 2026, 07:36:07 PMFrance isn't being 'replaced' in its own team.
The French are most certainly being replaced in their own country.
And the UK was being run by India until a pure bred Englishman came to save the day!
Hope England get royally stuffed for the benefit of the twat who's had an England World Cup Winners 2026 done.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq616emqr51o
Got a feeling they'll win tonight but I think Spain maybe too strong for them.
Still a first WC final in 60 years would be something to celebrate.
Frenetic, action packed but very little football. Felt like there were more fouls than passes 😁
I still make Argentina narrow favourites to win this, they're going to find a way through in the next 25 mins. Then extra time if we're lucky.
Fuck. COME ON ARGIES!!!
Gordon? He can Feck Off sounds Scottish to me.
And that's exactly what happens when you decide to sit back and defend a one goal lead for half of the game.
That's it! Terrible performance by England. Argentina could have four or five.
So many defenders brought on by Tuchel! No outlet
Can start enjoying the world cup now...
Got sh!thoused as expected from the outset, which up until Gordon's goal England were able to deal with okay, then tactically got outsmarted, which they weren't.
But falling short at these stages of major tournaments has been pretty standard fare for quite a while.
Won't be watching the meaningless 3rd-place match (although having attended Netherlands vs Croatia during France '98 I know it's a good experience).
Well that was terrible. Tuchel taking a page out of Koeman's playbook?
Everyone knows teams like Argentina will fight to the death, they will not lie down. So you have to lkeep fighting them.
Shame really.
It's like Tuchel lost faith in the players and the system that got them this far. It worked against Mexico but that was a bit more understandable as the team was down to 10 and Mexico aren't close to Argentina in terms of quality up front.
I'm going to give the team a bit of leeway though. From the altitude of Mexico City to the extreme heat of Miami it's really tough for a body to recover from that. Many players seemed to be slightly off their game last night lacking their usual energy, particularly Kane and Rice. Perhaps that was part of Tuchel's strategy. He didn't think the players had the reserves to keep playing as they had been? Then again he did have plenty of midfield and forward options on the bench?
And "gutted" is that really how we express disappointment these days? Perhaps I'm being snobby but I'd expect a better choice of language from the Prime Minister and Prince of Wales
Quote from: dom on July 16, 2026, 08:39:07 AMAnd "gutted" is that really how we express disappointment these days? Perhaps I'm being snobby but I'd expect a better choice of language from the Prime Minister and Prince of Wales
Seems like something Fishy would say..
Quote from: dom on July 16, 2026, 08:39:07 AMAnd "gutted" is that really how we express disappointment these days? Perhaps I'm being snobby but I'd expect a better choice of language from the Prime Minister and Prince of Wales
Clearly trying to ingratiate themselves with the hoi polloi. A ridiculous 'look'
>:(
There's always some nagging regret, isn't there? This time irrespective of what you think of Tuchel's tactics, it's that the Argentine goals came so late. Could so easily have been different, but couldn't quite cling on.
Anyway they were the better side, we didn't go out due to some disastrous blunder or grossly injust decision by the officials and I've moved on.
Quote from: Thenop on July 16, 2026, 08:54:59 AMQuote from: dom on July 16, 2026, 08:39:07 AMAnd "gutted" is that really how we express disappointment these days? Perhaps I'm being snobby but I'd expect a better choice of language from the Prime Minister and Prince of Wales
Seems like something Fishy would say..
happy not gutted.. :)
Quote from: Slim on July 16, 2026, 09:03:22 AMThere's always some nagging regret, isn't there? This time irrespective of what you think of Tuchel's tactics, it's that the Argentine goals came so late. Could so easily have been different, but couldn't quite cling on.
Anyway they were the better side, we didn't go out due to some disastrous blunder or grossly injust decision by the officials and I've moved on.
there was a stat that Argentina have scored was it 8 goals after the 80th min... ive got that wrong but its a plethora of late goals that have got them thru...
Quote from: Fishy on July 16, 2026, 11:52:28 AMQuote from: Slim on July 16, 2026, 09:03:22 AMThere's always some nagging regret, isn't there? This time irrespective of what you think of Tuchel's tactics, it's that the Argentine goals came so late. Could so easily have been different, but couldn't quite cling on.
Anyway they were the better side, we didn't go out due to some disastrous blunder or grossly injust decision by the officials and I've moved on.
there was a stat that Argentina have scored was it 8 goals after the 80th min... ive got that wrong but its a plethora of late goals that have got them thru...
These days with VAR and players' antics it's not unusual for matches to last the best part of 100 minutes. The 80 minutes mark now means 20% of the game remains. Attacking teams with talented players usually come good at this time as defending for extended periods is energy sapping.
Less than 10 minutes from a World Cup final and the manager getting trashed. Pathetic!
Was VAR in use last night? Did the VAR officials see what was pretty much an assault on Anderson, a clenched thump to the back of his neck? Could they have intervened if they did? Who knows what the actual fcking rules are any more?
Also, how did Simeone, the worst of all the Argie shithouses on the field, escape being carded despite committing five nasty, malicious fouls?
That was astonishingly bad and I agree what's the point of VAR if not to be used in something like that
There was also the assault on Messi, involving Kane, Spence, Gordon and Anderson. All fouled him but thanks to astonishing strength and agility he remained unbowed until a combination of them brought him crashing to the ground.
Messi?
No ref or VAR in sight he does what he wants. If he'd take a dump on the pitch they'd bring him toilet paper.
Here is one of his finest moments against Algeria.
(https://i.ibb.co/hJwpnfPd/Screenshot-20260716-211204.png)
Quote from: Thenop on July 16, 2026, 08:16:41 PMMessi?
No ref or VAR in sight he does what he wants. If he'd take a dump on the pitch they'd bring him toilet paper.
Here is one of his finest moments against Algeria.
(https://i.ibb.co/hJwpnfPd/Screenshot-20260716-211204.png)
Nasty
^^brushed off as a regular foul, not even a yellow card. No VAR intervention.
Technology is only as useful as the people using it.
I'm not sure if all the anger about their shithousery is mitigated by them also being the better footballing team or not.
Ah well...hope Spain do to them what they did to France.
Yep hope Spain do them tomorrow.. waste of time 3rd/4th play off tonight.. what's the bloody point.. I'm sure the players are not interested..
United States President Donald Trump has joined criticism of England's tactics in their World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, by questioning Harry Kane's second-half "defensive" role.
Manager Thomas Tuchel's second-half substitutions have been criticised by pundits and supporters following the 2-1 defeat, as Argentina scored two late goals to set up Sunday's final against Spain (20:00 BST).
BBC Sport reported on Thursday how a number of key players had been left disappointed at how England were instructed to finish the game having taken the lead through Anthony Gordon.
Tuchel reverted to a back five and made a number of defensive-minded substitutions in the closing stages as Lionel Messi inspired a dramatic comeback.
"You have a great player in England who I've played golf with. And he is Harry [Kane] who has been fantastic," said Trump.
Thanks Donny...fuck off...
If Messi can laser direct a cross onto the head of Martinez in a saturated England defence, I'd imagine he'd have run riot against tired legs if England had remained on the offensive.
I reckon Tuchel saw the signs of players flagging and made an obvious tactical decision.
And now we wait who Intrumpino wants to be world champion.
Quote from: Thenop on July 18, 2026, 12:37:21 PMAnd now we wait who Intrumpino wants to be world champion.
USA
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 18, 2026, 11:59:29 AMIf Messi can laser direct a cross onto the head of Martinez in a saturated England defence, I'd imagine he'd have run riot against tired legs if England had remained on the offensive.
I reckon Tuchel saw the signs of players flagging and made an obvious tactical decision.
Possibly but the reason he could do that so comfortably was because the defence was so deep. It meant he could just position himself to the right and ping crosses into the box. If England had brought on more attacking players earlier they could have brought the fight to Argentina and given Messi less opportunity to attack
Well, the third place playoff is a meaningless game for me, but I don't think it's meaningless for Deschamps at the moment. He looks somewhat uncomfortable after England's fourth.
Who'd have thought an England side without Kane and Bellingham would have dominated the French flag side?
Bonkers game! Lot of fun though!
I really don't want extra time, does anyone really?
Ah well that should put an end to that prospect. Deschamps looking very hacked off now.
Fabulous game of football - thoroughly enjoyed it although the second half was a lot better than the first😉
Pity football isn't always played like this
Arsenal did well tonight ! 4 goals and 2 assists
Quote from: Slim on July 19, 2026, 12:01:29 AMAh well that should put an end to that prospect. Deschamps looking very hacked off now.
Would have been nice for him to end his career as French National manager with a win but this won't tarnish his remarkable 14 year stint.
Zizou, over to you!
Oh fuck....
Half-time in the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set to be the longest in the tournament's history.
This is due to an 11-minute Super Bowl-style show, co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and K-pop boy band BTS, which will take place during the interval at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Due to the time to set-up for the entertainment - and then take it all down before the second half - half-time could last more than 25 minutes.
Although Fifa has been briefing that it will be about 20 minutes long, it is understood that timeframe could stretch due to the number of variables involved.
I missed most of th France v England game. Fell asleep after England went 2-0 up so put myself to bed.
I thought the Paris Olympics were poor but they've absolutely been eclipsed by this World Cup. Too many counties taking part, questionable officiating, Trump interfering, hydration breaks, extortionate ticket pricing, games taking place at stupid times in the early hours, now this half-time showbiz crap.
Quote from: Slim on July 19, 2026, 10:58:38 AMI thought the Paris Olympics were poor but they've absolutely been eclipsed by this World Cup. Too many counties taking part, questionable officiating, Trump interfering, hydration breaks, extortionate ticket pricing, games taking place at stupid times in the early hours, now this half-time showbiz crap.
And if that clown infanttrumpino has his way . 64 teams next time even more games and played kver 3 countries plus South America.. total fkn nonsense
I was against the expanded tournament but I've come to believe that it wasn't that big a deal really. When you look at it teams who reach the end of the tournament only 1 extra game is played. lay 1 extra game. 8 instead of 7 .
I suppose it is an issue logistically with so many more games having to be played. It will make it difficult for all but the largest countries to host tournaments. Perhaps tournaments shared by diffetent countries will become the norm
I do think it's great though that some of the smallest nations such as Curacao and Cap Verde get a chance to compete at the highest level. They provided some of the most entertaining moments at the beginning of the tournament and really grasped their opportunity.
Can't do much about kick off times, in an area that has multiple time zones, at least 5 hours behind our own.
The ticket pricing was abysmal and it appears that the prime quality for being FIFA President is being a money grabbing fecker.
The half-time show idea is utterly ludicrous enough without putting on has-beens Madonna and Shakira and the execrable Bieber.
If it really has to be done, Lady Gaga and Benson Boone would gave been much better choices but I suspect they'd refuse because they actually have some credibility (and talent).
French players were really gracious in defeat, I thought. Great to see players from both nations embracing after the game.
Made up for having to cancel my David Byrne in Halifax gig at the last minute...
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 19, 2026, 02:50:35 PMThe half-time show idea is utterly ludicrous enough without putting on has-beens Madonna and Shakira and the execrable Bieber.
If it really has to be done, Lady Gaga and Benson Boone would gave been much better choices but I suspect they'd refuse because they actually have some credibility (and talent).
No doubt Rush's management were disappointed when their calls were not returned ;D
So far the final looks like the Eurovision.
And the game hasn't even started yet.
God I used to love a World Cup final when I was a lad, I don't really feel very interested this time.
Enjoyed Tom Cruise. Met him once, nice fella.
5 Live commentator John Murray points out that Tom pointed to the wrong sets of fans when he gives them a mention in his opening address. He points to the Spain fans when he says "Arhhentina", and gestures to the Argentine fans when he says "Ethpania".
"It's a risky business, identifying the fans in the crowd", says Kelly Cates.
"Yes it is", says John. It totally goes over his head. She says nothing.
Less crowd posers coverage please, BBC. There's a World Cup final happening on the grassy bit.
Ref left his yellows on the night stand it seems.
Hands up if you're watching on ITV --- thought not.
0-0 but I can feel a Spanish goal coming.
Please score Spain. I don't fancy an additional half hour of this. Best bit has been Wayne Rooney's assessment of the half time entertainment as "crap".
Don't fancy Argentina's chances with 10 men in extra time. But maybe Trump will intervene.
As exciting as following Celtic's transfer activity until the last minute of injury time.
Argentina are real dirty bastards...
Went to the fridge for a bottle of Miiler and missed the goal.
Argentinian players swinging punches and grabbing Spanish players by the throat after the whistle. Disgusting behaviour from the deserved losers.
Well played Spain. The best team of the tournament won easily tonight. England celebrates!
Awful team. Pity Egypt didn't finish them off when they had the opportunity
Before you go to bed tonight, try not to think about what age you'll be at the next World Cup. 😁
Awful final total dross.. we'll done Spain for what it's worth
Argentina have been a fucking disgrace in this tournament from start to finish.
Their game plans were mostly to be dirty, cheating, shithouse bastards, knowing they would get the rub of referees' decisions to assist them in their task, which worked until they came up against a side superior in overall technical talent who preferred to let the football do the talking.
They should have been down to eight men, never mind ten, and for MacCallister to receive a yellow card in extra time when he should have walked before half time was a(nother) scandal.
And as for the despicable scenes at the end, Perades in particular should be banned from playing professional football for at least a year.
Set of cynical, cheating, classless cnts that deserved to lose and finally got their comeuppance to most football fans' immense satisfaction.
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 20, 2026, 12:20:04 AMArgentina have been a fucking disgrace in this tournament from start to finish.
Their game plans were mostly to be dirty, cheating, shithouse bastards, knowing they would get the rub of referees' decisions to assist them in their task, which worked until they came up against a side superior in overall technical talent who preferred to let the football do the talking.
They should have been down to eight men, never mind ten, and for MacCallister to receive a yellow card in extra time when he should have walked before half time was a(nother) scandal.
And as for the despicable scenes at the end, Perades in particular should be banned from playing professional football for at least a year.
Set of cynical, cheating, classless cnts that deserved to lose and finally got their comeuppance to most football fans' immense satisfaction.
Worryingly, this type of performance has reaped rewards in the past. Influencers of the game (cheats) in authority within the sport, or in political power outwith have delivered us to this.
Glittering prizes and endless compromises, shatter the illusion of integrity.
It's not coming home anytime soon.
Scotland won the World Cup of placing traffic cones on statues' heads this time. We can claim the picking up litter crown next time if we qualify.
England just need to find their level and claim it for their own. Maybe they gave up the greatest football hooligans title too easily. Hardly a squabble this time. Perhaps it was the guns.
Argentinian team looked liked they were auditioning for the next Guy Ritchie movie, what a villains they are!