World Cup 2026

[dom]

Getting 2002 and 2010 vibes here. France abysmal

Should be 2 0 down

[David L]

Penalty. Every day of the week. However, my wife agrees with the ref (so that's at least two people that are wrong 😄)

[dom]

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 😂

[dom]

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

[Thenop]

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.

[David L]

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

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.

[David L]

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

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.

[Fishy]

A drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..

Thank you America  for ruining  the game

[David L]

A drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..

Thank you America  for ruining  the game

A 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.

[Fishy]

A drinks break in a game under a roof with air con 20.. degrees.. fkn nonsense..

Thank you America  for ruining  the game

A 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

[Fishy]

Wayne Rooney. Just why???

[David L]

Go, go Doctor Congo!

[Fishy]

Go, go Doctor Congo!

Portugal are rubbish and Ronaldo is a prick really

[David L]

Well done DR Congo! Two extra opportunities to take Um Bongo on board really helped out, I feel.

USA - making football great again!

[dom]

Go, 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