Russia 2018

[rowan]

What goes around comes around. I wanted Colombia to win but not so much that I'd like to have seen England get KOed on penalties - yet again - despite having been marginally the superior team during the 45 minutes or so that I watched. If Colombia had produced the brilliance they have been known for on occasions in the past (notably in regional competition), great. But they were never going to win this tournament with their disorganized attack and generally poor finishing.

[twitchy]

I'm sorry, but the behaviour of those Colombia players for the pen was scandalous. How the hell did the ref not card any of them and, in fact card an English player! Absolutely scandalous.

The ref had no control of the game what so ever. Makes you appreciate prem refs even though they get loads of stick.

[Stom]

I'm sorry, but the behaviour of those Colombia players for the pen was scandalous. How the hell did the ref not card any of them and, in fact card an English player! Absolutely scandalous.

The ref had no control of the game what so ever. Makes you appreciate prem refs even though they get loads of stick.

I just can't believe that with all the fuss around respect, FIFA would allow that spectacle in the WORLD CUP, their showpiece event! I think it's an absolute disgrace and I'm glad my kids weren't watching. Football has a big problem with respect and scenes like that are an abject failure in teaching the next generation what it means to have respect. They just see the entire team surrounding the ref screaming into his face! Jeez.

[rowan]

I've mentioned before the generally poor standard of the reffing at this tournament. It seems they're actually consulting the video replays less and less as this WC progresses, and hopefully that innovation will fall by the wayside in future tournaments. But they have certainly let a lot go. More red cards should have been issued for offences such as dragging a player down from behind when he's broken clean through the defense (and rounded the keeper in once instance), and more yellows for diving (no need to mention a certain peroxide-haired Brazilian yet again). &, yes, the reactions of some of the players should have been dealt with more sternly, as we seemed to be back to shouting into the ref's face and even physical contact on occasions - something which was supposed to have gone out with the 20th century.

[rowan]

Uruguay applying the early pressure v France

Well, for about 5 minutes. Now it's all France...

[Galfon]

10 mins. in and about 5 cheap shots by Uru..this 1 will blow ..it's South Ameericaan styleee!..

[rowan]

France putting a few in now and get yellow carded. They don't want to get sucked into Uruguay's style of game. The French attack is making inroads and just needs to get its finish right.

& there it is in the 40 minute. France 1-0.

[Galfon]

Fra 1 - 0 Uru , 40 min.Varane header from clever free kick
Good for the game - will open up a bit now.

[morepork]

Don't any of youse bastards have jobs?

[rowan]

Yes, pretty much as expected so far. Uruguay applying the rough tactics, France a little too skillful. Is this the 1st time Uruguay have been behind in the tournament? It'll be interesting to see how they react, and whether France keep pushing for a second - or perhaps sit back and defend as the game progress. I still fancy a Le Crunch final - with France beat England 3-1 or 4-1. But if England even get to the final on foreign soil I imagine it'll go down as one of the greatest achievements of their rather inglorious sporting history . . .

[rowan]

All over bar the shouting. Horrendous error from the Uruguay keeper as he batted the ball into his own net

[Galfon]

2 - 0 , 61 min.
Griezmann..goalie blunder from routine shot from distance.
Pressure's on.

[morepork]

Either throw one or fuck off. Jesus.

[rowan]

Fight - albeit soccer style. I think a couple of players had their hair ruffled...

I was hoping Suarez would bite someone, but there was a big African-French guy getting in his face

[rowan]

Frogs march on. Ciao, Uruguay.

[Galfon]

FT Fra 2 - 0 Uru
Uru pretty toothless in the end.
Pogba & Griezmann controlling things late on.
Hardman Uru defender was actually blubbing
2 mins. before the end..

[rowan]

Uruguay missed Cavani; that's for sure. Their attacking strategy seemed to involve Suarez pushing down on the right and sending the crosses in. That was about it, and they barely threatened the French goal. Still, quite an amazing little footballing nation, which won two of the early World Cups and has returned to the semis twice since. Its population is about 3 million, and probably half of them live in the capital Montevideo. I visited the city briefly six years ago on my way from Buenos Aires to Rio. It's more like a big town than a city; not much in the way of high rises; but a very long main street which runs from the centre all the way to within about a kilometre of the coast. Good people, great food, and a much more positive ambience about it than I experienced in BA at the time...

[morepork]

Any potential France Brazil meeting would be a masterclass in pantomime diving.

[rowan]

The moment Suarez decided he wasn't so hungry after all...

[rowan]

Frantic start, multiple shots at both ends, and it's Belgium who find the mark in the 14th minute. 1-0 Belgium

Brazil are playing with a tenacity we have not seen to this point. No taking dives and rolling around in "agony." Perhaps Neymar and co have been foxing all this time. Anyway, if they keep this up the goals will surely come, though we have not seen many early goals from them at this tournament to date. & if they concede another any time soon, memories in 2014 may return to haunt them. Next team to score will win, is my guess...

Amazing statistic: It's taken 22 minutes for a Brazilian to hit the deck, and since it's not Neymar we might give him the benefit of the doubt...

Brazil are all-out attack, very prone to the counterattack. But it's been a good spectacle so far.

Belgium score again. Brazil's approach is not paying off.

[Galfon]

Brazil have turned falling over into an art form - even in slo-mo it looks balletic .

[Galfon]

2 - 0 , 31 mins. de Bruyne belter

[morepork]

Maybe stop falling over and try to play?


That Belgian forward is England rugby's answer to No.12

[rowan]

Brazil have turned falling over into an art form - even in slo-mo it looks balletic .

They're not falling over in this game. They're taking it right to Belgium in every respect, but it's not paying off and they're 0-2 down after half an hour. They've gone from one extreme to the other, throwing caution to the wind and matching the Belgians in terms of physicality. But it's 2014 all over again, and they now seem on the point of collapse. They're only fortunate there's an hour to play, plenty of time, but they need to hang on till the break and adjust their tactics accordingly.

This'll be the last non-European team out. Shame

[Galfon]

Hazard & de Bruyne have been given space..they're ripping Bra.