Football World Cup - Russia 2018

[rich p]

Neymar proved that he's no Messi or Ronaldo

 

[Reynard]

First time ever in the semis that we won't have one of argentina, brazil or germany...

 

[Reynard]

Well said.

It just made for a much more watchable game of football. Just shows the difference a quality referee makes. Some of them really haven't been up to scratch.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

"Do you think you're ready to take on the best in the world?"

What a fecking nobber question to ask after beating Brazil.

 

[smutchin]

"Do you thing you're read to take on the best in the world?"

What a fecking nobber question to ask after beating Brazil.

Belgium arguably are the best in the world at the moment. As that performance amply demonstrated.

 

[rich p]

I have no idea how a player like de Bruyne can strike a ball that hard and that cleanly. I could only just reach the goal from the penalty spot.

 

[smutchin]

I have no idea how a player like de Bruyne can strike a ball that hard and that cleanly.

Sugar injections.

 

[rich p]

I don't know if it's a blip but have standards levelled in world football? The tournament has been invigorated by many of the so-called big teams under-performing and getting knocked out.
It's been refreshing.

 

[Reynard]

I dunno about levelling standards, especially if you take into account the african teams - they have been very disappointing. But there does feel like there's been a seismic shift. Putting a finger on exactly what that shift is - well that's the hard bit.

One thing that's certain though, is that after a bit of a slow and sticky start, VAR has helped squelch a lot of the crap. Think it goes to show how much games were skewed by playacting, dodgy decisions and possibly favoritism towards the "big names". Remove all of that, and things certainly become fairer.

 

[Bollo]

I have no idea how a player like de Bruyne can strike a ball that hard and that cleanly. I could only just reach the goal from the penalty spot.

De Bruyne’s mum is English. Ponder this.

 

[rich p]

De Bruyne’s mum is English. Ponder this.

Hmmm, my Mum was Irish and she had a kick like a mule

 

[rich p]

I dunno about levelling standards, especially if you take into account the african teams - they have been very disappointing. But there does feel like there's been a seismic shift. Putting a finger on exactly what that shift is - well that's the hard bit.

One thing that's certain though, is that after a bit of a slow and sticky start, VAR has helped squelch a lot of the crap. Think it goes to show how much games were skewed by playacting, dodgy decisions and possibly favoritism towards the "big names". Remove all of that, and things certainly become fairer.

I think I've said before that the African teams are better than they appeared in this tournament. They lack decent coaches, perhaps confidence and something else that is either intangible or I've just forgotten what I was going to say
VAR will settle down into a really groundbreaking positive addition when it beds in and the players get clued up to what they can and can't get away with.

 

[postman]

One of tonights pundits made a good point.TEAM play has won the games not single players,no big heads have gone through.

 

[Bollo]

Hmmm, my Mum was Irish and she had a kick like a mule

Good Ponder. My mum was Scottish and she was rubbish at football. Coincidence?

 

[Reynard]

I think I've said before that the African teams are better than they appeared in this tournament. They lack decent coaches, perhaps confidence and something else that is either intangible or I've just forgotten what I was going to say
VAR will settle down into a really groundbreaking positive addition when it beds in and the players get clued up to what they can and can't get away with.

It's not that Africa hasn't got some great players at the moment. I can see where you're coming from though.

But having said that, some of the coaches from the other sides haven't been great either; Sampaoli for one, plus the chap who took over the Spanish side after Lopetegui got the grand order of the boot.