2022 FIFA World Cup

[pineapple stu]

Another cracking game here,no defending in sight though…..
Serbia a big disappointment at this World Cup. Good going forward but no defence. Thought they'd do better based on how they played against us in qualifying tbh.

[mypost]

89th minute goal for South Korea and Uruguay - who've been coasting at 2-0 for the second half - are going out on away goals.

Another great twist, and the Uruguay players/fans can see it now.

I know there's been lots of firsts at this world cup, and there's various mad methods on how teams can and can't qualify for the next round, but surely they must be the first side ever to get kicked out of the WC finals on away goals.

Amidst all the bawling going on and off the pitch, this was another side who had scored no goals before the last game, as they preferred to park the bus rather than win games. Even in this one, they shut up shop and settled for 2-0 as soon as they could. If you want to win the WC, you have to at least try and win some games, and they didn't until it was too late. And plenty of teams like them are also on their long way home.

[pineapple stu]

How were they knocked out on away goals?

We've qualified on goals scored before so it's hardly a first

[Stuttgart88]

Seen loads saying it wasn’t a penalty so I don’t know anymore,Cavani definitely run’s into his path but there’s no rule in football that you can’t do that,he clearly gets kicked on the back of his leg so again I don’t know anymore!iDid you see how a Uruguay player goaded the ref after Ghana missed their pen? After that the bar was set very high for another pen in the ref's mind I'd say!

And yes, I think Cavani was every bit within his rights to draw the foul the way he did. The defender has to be alert to that. All the most streetwise footballers do that: Kane, Salah...

It reminded me a bit of the pen Robbie Keane won at home to Russia in the 2-3 game. He simply slowed down and the defender clipped him. He had nothing else in mind other than draw the (stupid) foul. Caveat defendor.

[Stuttgart88]

That Mitrovic header was magnificent. Super cross by Tadic too.

[joey B]

Did you see how a Uruguay player goaded the ref after Ghana missed their pen? After that the bar was set very high for another pen in the ref's mind I'd say!

And yes, I think Cavani was every bit within his rights to draw the foul the way he did. The defender has to be alert to that. All the most streetwise footballers do that: Kane, Salah...

It reminded me a bit of the pen Robbie Keane won at home to Russia in the 2-3 game. He simply slowed down and the defender clipped him. He had nothing else in mind other than draw the (stupid) foul. Caveat defendor.

Yeah I seen that,it was Valverde who’s a brilliant player but was a big disappointment in the tournament ,he’ll learn that refs aren’t likely to give you many decisions if you do that….

Ultimately it’s their own fault they’re going out after being rubbish for the first 2 games….

[pineapple stu]

And for labouring for 40 minutes of the second half knowing that South Korea were one goal away from passing them out, and up against a Portugal side who had already won the group

[NeverFeltBetter]

Perhaps tempting fate to say it at half-time, but it's men against boys for the Netherlands/USA. The Americans have all the running but look pretty toothless, that lucky chance for Pulisic and distant Weah effort aside. The Dutch look much more composed and dangerous when they break forward. Both of their goals were remarkably similar.

[joey B]

Bloody hell that American goal was flukey!

[NeverFeltBetter]

Not a great advertisement for Argentina, that win. The Dutch conceded a fluky goal when 2 up and killed the game within five minutes, Argentina conceded a fluky goal when 2 up, missed some staggeringly easy chances, and twice should have conceded a leveler. That Kuol miss at the death is nightmare fuel.

[osarusan]

The Dutch saw off the USA without too much trouble in the end. I thought the USA were waaay to slow in getting the ball into the box.

In the later game it was all over until that deflection, then it came alive, and Australia could have snatched an equaliser (granted, Argentina could have had a couple on the counter).

Aaron Mooy is just woeful in every way.

[joey B]

Neither Argentina or the Netherlands have been that impressive,Brazil must be fancied to get to the final on that side of the draw….

[pineapple stu]

If it's Argentina v Brazil, you'd imagine the form book goes out the window

[Stuttgart88]

Brazil down a few players through injury now.

I think it’s fine margins still. Argentina actually played threatening football well into the dying minutes too. If you don’t take your chances you’re always vulnerable. We’ve seen it so often before. Martinez is a top keeper. He’s been the difference in making Argentina Copa winners after the near misses.

[pineapple stu]

France not looking like they're close to top gear, but 3-0 up against Poland now in injury time.

Next March is going to be tough...

[joey B]

Poland missed a guilt edged chance at 0-0 and you knew France were going to score eventually then and win,Matty Cash actually did ok on Mbappe and he’s still got 2 goals ,best player in the world for me at this time….

March is looking scary tbh,couldn’t look forward to it….

[NeverFeltBetter]

England strolling into the last eight. Mbappe will fancy this defence though

[pineapple stu]

Pedestrian for 40 minutes and Senegal a bit too open then for the two goals. The second in particular three of them got drawn into Bellingham to leave a 2v1 behind them.

Not sure France will do that. I suspect Southgate's record of never beating anyone of note might continue

Edit - actually, I'll allow the win over Germany in the last Euros, though Germany have been in dire form the last few years at finals

[Stuttgart88]

Mendy has had a brutal World Cup.

I think England will struggle against a team able to control a game. But they do definitely have a goal threat in all situations.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That certainly struggled against the US. But I have to admire then all the same. There's quality in every part of the field and there seems to be high morale. It seems like half the country hates Southgate but when Ronnie Whelan suggested there would be discord in the camp at the dropping of Rashford it just seemed laughable.

[pineapple stu]

So the last 16 gave us 8 big sides against 8 smaller sides - and so far, it's 5 from 5 for the bigger sides. Japan unlucky just now after an energetic performance against Croatia followed by them bottling the penalties and seeing three (fairly weak efforts) saved.

The law of averages says we're surely due an upset somewhere in this round? It seems unlikely South Korea will manage it against Brazil tonight. Morocco v Spain or Portugal v Switzerland?

Could still be eight big teams in the quarters - which is unusual of itself, but it could then see teams nullyfing each other out into cagey ties, as happened in 2014.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Morocco for me, if you're expecting a shock, think they'll frustrate Spain a lot. Then again if Ronnie plays like he did against South Korea then Portugal will be in real trouble (and would deserve it too: the manner in which he is being facilitated at every turn is embarrassing for them without the performances on the pitch).

We're also one Spanish win away from it being the UEFA/CONMEBOL show again.

Edit: The Brazil/Korea game is the last one in "Stadium 974", the one made with shipping containers, which will then be dismantled and potentially rebuilt somewhere else. If that works out it'll be about the only part of Qatar's hosting I'll be willing to admit admiration for.

[osarusan]

Goal of the WC so far from Richarlison.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Jogo bonito for a few wonderful moments. South Korea aren't up for this.

I love that Tite seemed to insist Richarlison come over and let him and the subs do the dance too.

[pineapple stu]

This feels like Germany v Brazil levels of hammering

Great to watch though

[SkStu]

Goal of the WC so far from Richarlison.

Where's Stutts? :D

[NeverFeltBetter]

They have a new dance for every goal.

[Stuttgart88]

Where's Stutts? :D

:) :)

I used to be sceptical of claims that Alisson was the best keeper in the world a few years ago but I’m pretty convinced now. He makes saves that I think are lucky, ball hitting his foot or shoulder or something, but he makes them so frequently it’s obviously just a brilliant ability to put himself in the way of the ball. His 1-on-1 record is amazing.

Brazil had real quality at both ends of the pitch.

[Stuttgart88]

Looks like Spain have used up their quota of goals in week 1 (82 mins of Morocco game gone as I write). They have barely looked like threatening. Morata had the ball in a dangerous position wide of the goal just there and no teammate even got into the box for him to pull it back to.

Edit:

Full time: 81% possession but nothing substantial with it.

Great save by Moroocco keeper deep in injury time. I hate seeing a keeper deceived by an inswinger.

[pineapple stu]

Morocco start the second half of extra time with a shot straight from tip.

I don't think I've ever seen that live before.

Needless to say, it was a complete waste

[joey B]

Brilliant scenes!!

[pineapple stu]

Amazing stuff. Three dreadful efforts from Spain. I like the evolution of the penalty kick - pure one v one - but this fad of walking up to take one is crap.

Blast it in and be done with it

[osarusan]

Great scenes.

Not sure how good Morocco really are, but it's great to see upsets like that, good for football.

[joey B]

!!!!!!

1600186211049476097

[NeverFeltBetter]

Miserable display from Spain, eerily like that against Russia in 2018. How can you play like that for two hours and not get the hint? A thousand penalties per person doesn't get you much it seems.

[pineapple stu]

Portugal drop Ronaldo.

The end of a legend surely. It'll be interesting to see how they get on without him

[joey B]

Portugal not missing Ronaldo much so far,he’s heading to play in Saudi Arabia for a reason I guess…..

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's been clear for a while now that Ronaldo no longer improves teams, and in a very strange way this game is an enormous humiliation for him. He'll be lucky to be an impact sub against Morocco.

And I don't want to come off as too harsh against him mind, he's old for a striker and has had an awful year on a personal level. If he'd packed in the career in the Summer it would have been understandable. But his on-field manner just makes him so easy to think less of right now.

Edit: First hat-trick of the World Cup too. Ronaldo got one of the two scored in 2018.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Jeez, this is a serious statement. The Swiss beat Portugal in June!

I'd fancy Portugal to have a better chance of unlocking Morocco than Spain had. The Costa Rica game aside, they just look so much more capable with possession.

Edit: Mixed up my Nations League ties

[joey B]

Most of Portugal’s team having a weeks rest obviously helped but the Swiss were abject,thought it would be much more competitive than that….

The last 16 wasn’t a memorable one for the most part,really looking forward to the rest of the tournament though….

[pineapple stu]

I think Brazil and Portugal should win through to the semis fairly handy. Croatia haven't looked great (one win in four) and I can't see Morocco repeating today's trick against Portugal.

Fancy France against England, and Holland v Argentina could go either way. Wouldn't write off this Argentina side.

It's an interesting, if relatively predictable, last 8. Always nice to have more upsets at this stage. Brazil v France the most likely final? Arguably Portugal the only other side who look like potential champions.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's nailed on for Argentina/Portugal lads. It fits the narrative so perfectly. Messi and Ronaldo, one last time. I can already see the RTE highlights package.

[2 Year Contract]

It's nailed on for Argentina/Portugal lads. It fits the narrative so perfectly. Messi and Ronaldo, one last time. I can already see the RTE highlights package.

I can see it too, and what a 3rd/4th place playoff it’ll be ;)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Finely balanced game at HT between Croatia and Brazil. Croatia with more of the ball, or so it seemed, which I did not expect. Brazil aren't playing badly exactly, but I'd say they didn't expect this level for pace from Croatia, Juranovic' runs alone have been causing them panic.

I don't know who is responsible for conditioning in the Croatian set-up but whomever it is deserves a lot of credit. This must be the 6th time I've started watching a game where they are coming off a 120 minute slog a few days previously but they look like they've been on a beach for a week.

[pineapple stu]

Neymar equals Pele's goalscoring record for Brazil, but it's been a poor game overall. I think Croatia have played above themselves in keeping Brazil scoreless as long as they did, but at the cost of not a single shot on target in 105 minutes and counting.

[pineapple stu]

To penos so.

At least Alisson has plenty of experience in penalty shoot-outs at club level lately.

Oh no - his understudy has the experience. This'll be interesting!

[joey B]

Brilliant Croatia,delighted for them!!

[NeverFeltBetter]

After the heat death of the universe, Luka Modric will still be looking to receive the ball and burst forward. The man does not stop. What a result.

[Crosby87]

The footage is already massive on Twitter. A Friday night with this? What a party. What a place to be....baby boom coming in 9 months judging by some of the outfits.

[Crosby87]

The Argentina crowds are really tempting fate. Never touch the money!!!