UPDATE: Reviews section refreshed, redesigned, searchable: Go take a look
Edit: it's quite possible that curaçao could also score too.
I want Iran to win.
I want Donald Trump to have to present Iran with the World Cup trophy, broadcast live to however many billion people watch it.
While the Tartan Army adds colour and not a bit of noise to proceedings, Mexico gave us the wave in 86, Iceland the Thunderclap, and the Dutch army marching like a dayglo river to the sound of bad techno is always crackers.....
Take a moment to respect the Samurai Blue who instead of heading for the gates at final whistle stay behind to cleanse the stadium.
https://apnews.com/article/japan-world-cup-fans-cleaning-fd7289c5351f6a59e679fbd8a5327e0f
In searching around the various SM for WC stories as well I found this - a Japanese fan living his best life being swept along by the orange river. But the best bit for me is at the end (sound on, SFW) when he makes a sound which is a/ the most Japanese sound I've ever heard (hope that's not racist) or b/ channelling his inner Gary Neville (0:57)
https://bsky.app/profile/sjbrewer.bsky.social/post/3mobqccfv2k2v
I want Iran to win.
I want Donald Trump to have to present Iran with the World Cup trophy, broadcast live to however many billion people watch it.
I want Iran to beat the USA, maybe in the quarter finals
Well I've watched/endured a number of matches so far although I think dealing with Ally McCoist's commentary is probably marginally preferable than those who've paid a lot of money to sit in a silent stadium, sometimes which are half empty and watch the "pinnacle" of world football in person.
Mexico v South Africa - South Africa looked like a team who'd only just learnt to play football in the last 2 weeks. Mexico had been watching too much premiership with their falling over whenever a South Africa player went near them.
Canada v Bosnia Herzegovina - Canada should have won by a country mile but when you have the likes of the mighty Hull player Liam Millar playing (who was awful) and the fraud that is Jesse Marsch in charge, you're already fighting a losing battle. Good goal Canada scored though. Awful game.
Qatar v Switzerland - turned it off once I'd reached the point where I couldn't bear the commentators talking about Granit Xhaka as being some kind of footballing megastar anymore. Awful game.
Germany v Curacao - 7-1 was being kind. Should/could have been 17-1. The fact teams like Curacao are in the WC and Wales/Italy aren't is so skewed its unreal. It should be a competition of the best footballing teams in the world, not the best ones from certain parts of the world (and even so, how on earth did Curacao qualify???).
Netherlands v Japan - turned it off at half time as it was sending me to sleep and missed 4 goals. Glad Japan drew. Need too google and see if I can see Van Dick's reaction to that - it'll make my day.
Agree about Curacao - Vatican City would beat them in qualifying, and Germany are the weakest German side I've seen in years. Teams like Ireland have to sit at home because we had Portugal and Hungary in our qualifiers.
2nd Half of the Dutch v Japan was good.
how on earth did Curacao qualify
Because Canada, Mexico and the US automatically qualified so there were effectively 3 additional qualifying places in CONCACAF, and it's not exactly a powerhouse of elite nations in there at the best of times
Where are we all at with the hydration breaks? Complete nonsense or essential for an even playing field to allow players in air conditioned stadiums playing inside them as well?
Even handed treatment, or maybe TV adverts 🤔
Even handed treatment,
The trouble would be that it obvs creates a tactical reset opportunity that has to be given to all, not just the few. And even ignoring that, if it were to be truly on welfare grounds (and of course that is important) how would you manage that. Only in place if pitch level temp is >X, and/or humidity >Y. In these days of very sophisticated sports science, I'll bet intakes are managed on the basis of getting more hydration on board after 20 mins or so, you don't want to overhydrate in advance, but what if you set out expecting a break only for temp to drop a tiny bit and the break to be scrubbed.
I don't think we want it to get to F1 type strategies - "our pitchside reporter: Croatia are going for a one stop strategy tonight whereas England's weather analysts are expecting humidity to increase around half time and are therefore assuming a chance to take more fluids on after 65 mins, but get that wrong and we may see cramp related issues at the end of the game....."
As 0-0 goes, why am I so invested in this one
Wow! What a defensive performance that was!
I was expecting Spain to do what Germany did the other night. I think I was with the rest of the world (outside Spain)in hoping they could nick a winner at the end
Spain were absolutely shocking – waving a leg at any ball that looked like half a chance. Yes, Cape Verde played an amazing defensive game, but I can't believe Spain at all – they looked almost English.
Definitely no-one cares about the WC here in Cataluña. We had to go into our local village an hour ago to get some admin done and had a cheeky beer in the bar by the marina. There were about 6 tv screens showing the match and about 3 people actually paying attention. It was a lovely evening but no-one gives a toss about the national team.
Judging on how they played, I don't think the national team care about the national team.
Somethings tells me Wyclef Jean doesn’t know who Big Dunc is, the way he's mugging him off on the ITV show just now
Messi - simply a phenomenon.
France finally got into gear last night after a very Spanish first half.
France were good second half, tough opponents in Senegal. Olise - what a player. I knew he was decent at Palace, bet there’s plenty of premier league clubs regretting signing him now.
France were good second half, tough opponents in Senegal. Olise - what a player. I knew he was decent at Palace, bet there’s plenty of premier league clubs regretting signing him now.
Reading academy player and in 2021, he was crowned EFL Young Player of the Season.
I hadn't twigged Olise was at Palace when I was watching last night thinking "he's pretty good".
France (and others) just look like they have the ability to change up a gear, as they did from 1st to 2nd half. their movement on and off the ball was the best football I've watched in a long time (not that I watch much).
Messi, too. I was moving with the goalkeeper when Messi had him on his arse. he seems to fit 2 or 3 fakes into one shoulder drop.
I can't see England having that same ability.
I can't see England having that same ability.
Oi! Get with the program! Stick a flag on your car and indulge in the usual wildly misplaced optimism! 😀
Anyone doing anything in particular for it tonight? As usual, I can't generate even the smallest amount of enthusiasm for watching England. I'm sure it'll be the usual turgid affair that will in no way resemble the second half performance by France last night. I'm going for a spirit-crushingly tedious 1-1 draw. In fact, I think I'll stick some money on it
Spider Noir or Star City for me. Shan't be watching.
I think too many people aren't giving Croatia enough credit - they are one of the hardest WC opening games we have ever had.
I'm going for a spirit-crushingly tedious 1-1 draw.
I'm going for a dour 1-0 win for Croatia, as everyone has forgotten they have a pretty good record in tournaments. The press will be howling for Teuchals head on a spike before midnight UK time.
Due to a surplus of marshalls for tonights 10 mile TT I will be riding it for the first time in about 2 years. So I will be doing multiple laps on the nervous/feeling good/crushing disappointment rollercoaster before we get anywhere kick off in the football.
I know nothing about football but I just found out the stadium where they are playing seats 80,000.....and its air conditioned, using 24,000,000 KWh per year.
FFS.
its air conditioned, using 24,000,000 KWh per year
All using power generated from the solar panels on the stadium roof and surrounding land, right? RIGHT??
Maybe, just maybe, Jude and Harry will join in with the big-hitting crowd and take Croatia for 8.
wide spread interest here in Ireland in the Croatia match, we hope our favourite team give a good account of themselves.
I have a Welsh colleague who’s expressed similar sentiments
Solar power in Dallas - surely they don’t have the sun for it 😜
I know little or nothing about football, but apparently I'm watching the game this evening. Can someone give me ten facts or questions or points of interest that I should know about for this game?
There are few, if any, points of interest about Engerland fella.
To fit in with everyone else watching it, just say oh… FFS! under your breath every few minutes and you’ll be fine
Best to limit your comments to slagging off VAR and register your disapproval at the ‘Mericans and them introducing hydration breaks’ and ruining the flow of the game
I reckon Portugal will still be playing Ronnie for the full 90 minutes when he’s in his 90’s as everyone’s too scared to tell him he’s dropped or sub him 😂
You could say, "I can't believe Trent Alexander can't get into this team."
Or, "how much do they get paid?!?!?!"
Binners friend, Caher and there like are little more than petty minded racists.They should be proud of the multi racial working class lads who represent the England team.They are not drawn from the elite of the British ruling class.Petty mindedness of the Irish ,Scottish and Welsh never fails to amaze me.
Binners friend, Caher and there like are little more than petty minded racists.They should be proud of the multi racial working class lads who represent the England team.They are not drawn from the elite of the British ruling class.Petty mindedness of the Irish ,Scottish and Welsh never fails to amaze me.
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First time I've been accused of being a racist today.
If you're not English why would you support England?
Blimey! Never mind that nonsense! A decent game of football has broken out! Involving England! 😳
Come on England!
Bloody hell! What’s going on here? I’m confused 😳
I know little or nothing about football, but apparently I'm watching the game this evening. Can someone give me ten facts or questions or points of interest that I should know about for this game?
Hopefully you are thoroughly enjoying the game, even with England playing.
As @ Binners said, its a bit confusing/great that an England game is this entertaining 👌
I think we need to get WorldClassAccident to watch every game from now on 😂
These hydration breaks are bollocks! They’re in an air conditioned stadium FFS!
Bosh!
What a bunch of lads, never in doubt, they're going all the way! (Until they get stuffed by Ghana).
