The World Cup Thread

TBF hanging your hat on a goal scored by Russia against probably the poorest side in the competition was never really a strong claim. You'll see much better goals from the genuinely big teams as the competition progresses, as yesterday's match proved. Reminded me of Martinas goal as well, which I think was better because it was further out, more difficult technique and had lovely bend on it.

 

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Reminded me more of Ivan Golac's goal, partly becuase it had come up on Twitter earlier as it was his birthday. Golac's was much better though because it was a bit further out, but very reminiscent of the legend.

BBC have got one on today, ticking all the boxes once again. They had that squealing, horrendous girl commentator yesterday too doing the highlights of the Iran game. Terrible.

Her and the bloke from Robot Wars are two commentators that I really struggle with. They shout " the goalkeeper is taking a free kick" as though Pele is through on goal in the World Cup final having made a miraculous comeback.

I disagree about the pundits, they are all pretty poor. Biased and they normally just revert to cliche's. A lot of the commentators, who haven't played top flight football, offer better and fairer analysis than the so called expert sat next to them.

BBC have got one on today, ticking all the boxes once again. They had that squealing, horrendous girl commentator yesterday too doing the highlights of the Iran game. Terrible.

She needs some of clare balding's testosterone shots.

To be fair it was a bit grating when she started giving advice to the Spanish strikers, using her own experience as a striker in women's football. It really isn't comparable in any way.

Female and black. I’d have put my mortgage on hypo making a comment about her competence! Best place for her is in the kitchen eh hypo? ? There are plenty of poor male pundits on the telly but let’s have a go at the silly girl. She is still better than Andy Townsend!

All i will say is "Jermaine Jenas"

All i will say is "Jermaine Jenas"

He's a bit wet but not consistently wrong, partial and impressionable like Quinn, Yorke and Owen.

He's a bit wet but not consistently wrong, partial and impressionable like Quinn, Yorke and Owen.

Owen, probably the worst.

Lawro meanwhile wise-cracking about dislocated shoelaces as a player goes down too easily.

Robbie Savage is a **** when faced with a mic

Lawro meanwhile wise-cracking about dislocated shoelaces as a player goes down too easily.

I don't mind Lawro. He was right, bloke went down like he was shot.

I don't mind Lawro. He was right, bloke went down like he was shot.

Certainly helps the medicine of some dull football go down.

Owen, probably the worst.

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On paper France have got an amazing team but Australia seem to be channelling their inner Burnley/Huddersfield/ Tony Pullis team and locking them out. TBH its quite entertaining in the same way an FA cup tie between a minnow and PL team can be.

Savage and Lawro are ok. At least they aren't too bland. Some of them are just awful though.

It's always a pleasure when Tim Vickery is on 5Live but he's a cut above the rest.

On paper France have got an amazing team but Australia seem to be channelling their inner Burnley/Huddersfield/ Tony Pullis team and locking them out. TBH its quite entertaining in the same way an FA cup tie between a minnow and PL team can be.

It's mental toughness that's France's problem. Mbappe, Dembele, Pogba: they haven't shown the resilience and strength to deliver their best at crunch times. Compare that to the level you know you will get from Messi, Ronaldo, Silva, Iniesta, Muller etc.

They should have a good shout for 2022 if they can keep developing.

The problem with France is the manager. They need a world class manager in the dugout.

****s sake.

VAR working well...no penalty for me.

The problem with France is the manager. They need a world class manager in the dugout.

Mr Puel awaits

VAR a mess, shocking. Works in every other sport.

he touched the ball. the replays showed that, the ref looked at the replays

what the hell was that about?

Very Accurate Rubbish

he touched the ball. the replays showed that, the ref looked at the replays

what the hell was that about?

exactly the reply suggests a good tackle VAR is supposed to help refs get decisions right

the ref has lost it

he had no idea if t hat was handball

VAR a mess, shocking. Works in every other sport.

Fecking disgrace.

The referee has now evened things up. At least Umkiki has.

the ref has lost it

he had no idea if t hat was handball

it was handball though no argument

get in 1-1 to our Aussie cousins

How has he not been booked!

Why did he wait and allow play to continue before looking at the VAR?

What would've happened if Oz had broken and scored. Would he then have to knock off the Oz goal and award France the pen?

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Mmmm.... titties.

How has he not been booked!

The penalty is seen as sufficient punishment. Had it been on the goal line and prevented a goal however...

Why did he wait and allow play to continue before looking at the VAR?

What would've happened if Oz had broken and scored. Would he then have to knock of the Oz goal and award France the pen?

 

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Yeah. What's so weird about that? Do the review when the ball goes dead. Makes perfect sense.

The penalty is seen as sufficient punishment. Had it been on the goal line and prevented a goal however...

Sorry that was handball with intent, no need for his arms to be 8 foot in the air.

Basically he cheated.

So the next world cup goes to Mexico, Canada and USA. Bit of a f**k you to the fans, trying to get between Vancouver, NYC and Mexico City to watch games.

Fecking disgrace.

 

The referee has now evened things up. At least Umkiki has.

It shouldn't be even. Aussies should be 1 up.

France are not going to win World Cup. Miss-Managed players, left out better players. #LeMess

Mark Lawrenson is doing my head in, please don't let him near any more microphones

Aussies dead on their feet worked hard and scuppered by a dodgy penalty.

Incel terrorists have sabotaged the broadcast

Neville arguing it not a pen, ffs he is hopeless. Replace him with a woman

Philip Neville. Pen all day long.

#mess

Right Cabbage Face?

Why are the VAR refs in full kit?

Philip Neville. Pen all day long.

 

#mess

 

Right Cabbage Face?

Greizman went over like the French Army in World War 2. #Mess

Need to drug test Neville. He is on speed. What happened to the dull whispering tw at from last World Cup.

France got lucky with both of their goals.

Australia played well until the final third of the pitch

Love watching the World Cup for its own sake (and have taken 2 weeks off work to do so).

But also love speculating about (realistic) HCDAJFU prospects. I haven't seen any yet, I don't think!

Need to drug test Neville. He is on speed. What happened to the dull whispering tw at from last World Cup.

He was born goggly-eyed

I think the replay is inconclusive whether the defender touched the ball or not and therefore the ref should have stuck with his first decision. An "umpire's call" in cricket.

Sorry that was handball with intent, no need for his arms to be 8 foot in the air.

 

Basically he cheated.

Not my guidelines.

He cheated and it cost his side a goal.

It shouldn't be even. Aussies should be 1 up.

Yep, I can’t disagree.

Why are the VAR refs in full kit?

To get them ‘in the right mood’. It’s a bit like getting BBC radio newsreaders to wear evening dress.

I think they should wear bikinis.

I think the replay is inconclusive whether the defender touched the ball or not and therefore the ref should have stuck with his first decision. An "umpire's call" in cricket.

Even if a defender does touch the ball doesn't mean it can't still be a penalty.