World Cup 2026

[dom]

France had already been knocked out by then. Think it was Denmark and Senegal who got through from France's group

[Slim]

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.

[Slim]

Looks 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.

[dom]

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.

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.

[pxr5]

Germany v Paraguay following the same script as Brazil/Japan. A goal from nowhere for Paraguay with 84% possession to the Germans. 

[Slim]

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

[David L]

Hah! Hah! Hah! Tah over the bah! 

[Fishy]

Well done Paraguay..

[Thenop]

And we're out after a disastrous series of shoots outs.
Unbelievable.

[Slim]

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.

[Slim]

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.

[Thenop]

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? 

[dom]

That French forward line - WoW! Joy to watch!

[Matt2112]

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.

[dom]

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?