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I know he has a claim to be mentioned with the GOATs himself, but if I was going to match the record of a true great like Eusebio then I wouldn't be doing it on the basis of stealing a goal off a team mate like that.
Suarez has err grown a bit 😳😂
McCoist should be fired. Thinks he’s Brian Moore and he clearly isn’t.
I really don't like seeing penalties like that awarded.
I really don’t like seeing penalties like that awarded.
Back 30 years ago I was a passionate fan who loved football, went to every match at Anfield for 15+ years.
These days I barely watch it. The game is dead to me, a large part of that is VAR
Awful penalty decision, what's he supposed to land on.
Awful penalty decision, what’s he supposed to land on.
Just watched the highlights. Couldn't work out what the penalty was given for at normal speed. Saw the first slow motion replay, still didn't see what happened. Finally noticed the ball hit the fellow's hand as he fell over.
Ridiculous.
These days I barely watch it. The game is dead to me, a large part of that is VAR
Yeah I long for the days where referees would give the benefit of the doubt to big teams after being pressured by their superstar players, or when matches, and sometimes relegations and championships, would be decided by some part time incompetent linesman who couldn't keep up with play. VAR isn't perfect, but it's better than what came before.
Yeah I long for the days where referees would give the benefit of the doubt to big teams after being pressured by their superstar players, or when matches, and sometimes relegations and championships, would be decided by some part time incompetent linesman who couldn’t keep up with play. VAR isn’t perfect, but it’s better than what came before.
Whilst you're being sarcastic, i'm 100% with that... 😀
The goal that wasn't over the line (Luis Garcia, v Chelsea), or the tackle that missed the ball, the offside that was 3" onside. That's what makes football, the passion, the joy, the anger even... the good, the bad... It's not a binary sport.
That’s what makes football, the passion, the joy, the anger even…
True. Bring back the golden days of the 1970s where teams kicked lumps out of each other on mudbath pitches while the fans rioted in the stands in a tsumani of misplaced masculinity. 😀
To be honest, the whole thing has become so 'meh' that I'm feeling a certain nostalgia for watching footage on the news of a pissed-up, lobster-pink Chelsea fan throwing a chair through the window of a bar 😉
Yep, it's all getting a little bit too sanitised. Used to love a good hard tackle when I played but I'd probably not be in a huge waiting list for a knee replacement if a little gentler.
More seriously VAR is ruining the game but I'm not sure what the best alternative is. It's also leading to the same issues in rugby and cricket.
I’m feeling a certain nostalgia for watching footage on the news of a pissed-up, lobster-pink Chelsea fan throwing a chair through the window of a bar 😉
Glory days! The world cup wasn't the world cup without news stories of topless England fans being deported en masse from foreign countries. Despite my comments above, football has become far too middle class and 'nice'.
More seriously VAR is ruining the game but I’m not sure what the best alternative is. It’s also leading to the same issues in rugby and cricket.
It works well in tennis, although that is a much simpler problem to solve
More seriously VAR is ruining the game but I’m not sure what the best alternative is.
I agree - it used to be the case that a goal was scored, and the fans celebrate. Now I am always left with that nagging doubt that there had been some infringement in the build-up so excitement is always tempered - and I detest the ridiculous decisions when the slightest, tiniest bit of body rules an offside.
Could there be a limit to the number of times a team can request a review (and ONLY by the captain - anyone else approaching the ref gets a yellow card) – a bit like they have in cricket (no idea about the rules in tennis or rugby codes).
I don’t have a solution but now it’s in place it’s not going away! I don’t like the idea of a review limit though. Some absolute clangers will no doubt get missed in the 89th minute….it just needs to be used better and more quickly. In terms of better I don’t think it will be given it’s so subjective. Good (bad) example last night - that was never a penalty and I suspect wouldn’t have been given at the other end. Took ages as well.
Things that would improve VAR IMO
1, Communication between ref and var to be made available, so that fans can understand the thought processes behind decisions.
2, Time limit on VAR decisions, if not sure in time limit refs on field decision stands (which may also force refs to make an on field decision rather than rely on var to correct it later).
3, Make the goal/pen/red card decisions about getting it right, and not finding an excuse to support a refs poor decision (ie end the "clear and obvious error wording)
For example, Ronaldo's pen against Ghana, I saw on the first replay that Ronaldo initiated the contact, so no reason that the ref could not be told quickly(2) to take a look on the screen. Ref is told "looks like the defender had stopped just short, and Ronaldo deliberately flicks his leg into the defender to initiate the contact" comms are made available to match broadcasters (1) and to viewers after filtering for swearing etc. In this case you can see why the ref has made the initial decision on the field of play, VAR should be looking to see if that is the correct decision rather than to justify that decision (3), in this case the movement is slight but absolutely critical in the event it wasn't even just leaving a leg dangling he had to move towards the defender to initiate the contact. "clear and obvious" error is too often being interpreted as an excuse to defend poor decisions.
Could there be a limit to the number of times a team can request a review (and ONLY by the captain
I've been thinking along the same lines. One of the biggest issues with var is that it calls up things that nobody on the pitch had an issue with, so why not go with the refs decision unless one of the captains objects? There should probably be an exception for foul play that nobody spots but even then the fouled player should be able to get their captain to ask for a var review.
Ohh dear, what a shame, never mind...
Qatar make unwanted history as they become the first host nation to exit the tournament losing all of their group games.
TBF, I feel for the team, but. Qatar.
Well I’d have dropped the players Gareth chose to drop. Let’s hope it’s a decent game.
first thing is that the refs and linos get most decisions right, at least within margin for error (offsides for example) - if the intent is to correct clearly obvious errors then live with the real marginal ones for the good of the game.
Then let the teams have 2 challenges (per half, in total, not exactly sure) so if a clear and obvious error is missed they can be reviewed. That's the safety net. If it's wrong, you lose the challenge, if right you keep it.
Controversial bit - anyone can call it, not just the captain. Question the referee over a pointless foul in the middle of the pitch, or a corner that you know wasn't - tough, get it wrong and you lose your challenge. Would remove players questioning every decision in no time.
Kane's fallen over.
Wales have figured out how best to deal with Maguire - let him dribble uncontested into the box and he will forget what he was there for and kick the ball at the corner flag.
This is poor. Aimless from both.
Has Henderson contributed anything so far?
This is poor. Aimless from both.
somewhat of a nothing match though
for a side that needs to win by four clear, I'd have thought Wales would have shown a bit more ambition
Wales are anti football it seems. Bus parkers.
Dear god, this is absolutely shite!
Can’t keep your eyes off it Binners!
It's better than Coronation Street <switches over>
Wales don't look like they're trying to win 4-0.
What did they put in the half time orange segments?
it's been poor from Wales
Well I thought that was an excellent second half from England, they looked really competent… Bring on Senegal!
I did love that Bellingham started celebrating before Foden even kicked the ball.
very competent performance particularly in the second half
Wales were poor thought, especially the goalkeeper for both of Rashford's goals. We knew that Wales didn't have the quality of England, but they also didn't have the desire in a game they had beforehand claimed was about bringing the desire and emotion to England,
very difficult to judge Englands level in such a weak group (don't think I can remember such a poor group)
very difficult to judge Englands level in such a weak group (don’t think I can remember such a poor group
England were clearly favourites but the other three are all top twenty ranked teams.
FIFA rankings 😀
FIFA rankings 😀
Go on...
such a weak group (don’t think I can remember such a poor group).
Already mentioned, but it's the only group will all top 20 teams and its the group with highest average ranking.
Tougher challenges to come but England have played well, scored some good goals and topped the group. So far so good.
Scored nine and conceded only one goal really in 270 mins (or 300, if you count injury time!) - the second Iran penalty being the softest non-penalty ever.
You deal with what's in front of you and there are no style marks, certainly not at this stage.
Why can't the ref just have the VAR on his phone...? Save him running across the pitch.
What frustrates me about England is that despite all that talent, they don't seem to have much of a clue how to unlock organised and hardworking opponents. The goals last night were the result of unforced errors by the welsh (the second one particularly). It feels like Southgate's entire approach is to play boring keep-ball until the opposition cock up and they get half a chance. They're pretty ruthless when they do get a chance, I'll give them that, but what happens when they play better teams? It's very boring to watch basically.
What frustrates me about England is that despite all that talent, they don’t seem to have much of a clue how to unlock organised and hardworking opponents. The goals last night were the result of unforced errors by the welsh (the second one particularly).
Well, apart from that glorious passage of play with about four backheels leading to a great chance for Foden. If that had gone in, it would have been the goal of the tournament.
It'll be interesting to see how they fair against better opposition.
The Iran result I think was a result of the keeper getting an injury early on & what's going on in the background in the country currently.
We never looked like scoring against USA despite our attacking riches & Wales came into the game beaten men.
The tournament starts now for England, Senegal up next, so not a bad first knock out opponent, especially without their talisman in Sadio Mane, big question will be what formation will Southgate go with, the easy run might work against them if their first time playing the normal 3-5-2 is against France potentially.
Well, apart from that glorious passage of play
That just proves my point. They have the players capable of doing that sort of thing, but rarely do because the ball is always in their own half with the defenders. England could be an incredibly creative team, but they are shackled by the caution of their manager.
That just proves my point.
I thought your point was that they don’t seem to have much of a clue how to unlock organised and hardworking opponents?
It's the same point. If the manager's tactics prevent his creative players from creating goal scoring chances, then the team as a whole won't unlock organised opponents and will instead be dependent on their opponent's errors providing chances for them. Either way it's f****** boring to watch. They could actually win the whole thing, but it won't be pretty.
The English players lack of getting a penalty is also affecting Harry Kane's output, they need to be a bit more like Son and Richarlison and let Kane get on the scoresheet!
Did anyone watch Brazil vs Switzerland? Where Brazil played pretty conservatively for an hour before ramping up the pressure in the last half hour. It very much looked like being a draw until Cassimero scored with a deflected shot a few minutes (plus Fergie time) from the end?
Not sure of the rankings but I don't think that Switzerland are any better than the USA,, if anything the USA, with their energy and pace are a bit more threatening than the Swiss.
Almost like they were trying to control the match whilst bursting into energy at the appropriate moments.
he goals last night were the result of unforced errors by the welsh (the second one particularly).
The second goal was the direct result of England forcing the error. They had been re-pressing the ball in pairs, with a third man as a trailer, to cut off the outlet pass all game. When Kane and Rashford press on the wing, and the anticiptation and timing were brilliant, couldn't have caught Wales in a worse position, Henderson makes a 5 yard run to close off the pass to the Welsh player who was inside and and a little bit ahead.
The first goal was the direct result of Foden cutting inside at pace, creating the foul.
as a whole won’t unlock organised opponents and will instead be dependent on their opponent’s errors providing chances for them.
That is the main problem with Internationals. It's easier to learn organised defending in the short period of time they have to prepare. It's not a coincidence that Walker and Foden got switched in together - they are team mates and should know how each other play. Probably a direct result of Wales holding Bale and Davies back to protect the fullbacks..
Just about all chances come from errors. The Spanish ticky-takka was all about waiting for one...
I don't disagree that Southgate tends towards caution, I don't think it's necessarily he is holding his players back. His line ups tend towards consistency.
I actually think it is a sign of Englands improvement. They are comfortable in possession, not panicked about giving it away, they are patient which I think shows that they believe they can win, they don't just hoof it long and hope.
England could be an incredibly creative team, but they are shackled by the caution of their manager.
I reckon a more gung-ho approach would be fun to watch, but less successful.
Spoiler alert - 4 minutes into 8 minutes of extra time...🤞
Australia in the last 16, mental stuff in that group, France look like they played a different 11 today as well, that’s taking the piss a bit, even for a dead rubber
Ok, i have now seen the worst possible VAR penalty award ever.
That is ridiculous - justice done tho
The one the other night was pretty atrocious but how is a keeper diving and watching the ball ever a penalty. Contact does not equal a penalty.
The ball was out of play as well, if that's a penalty you'll be seeing 5 a game in the near future!
Another vote here for that being the worst VAR decision yet! That’s a disgrace, it was justice that it was saved. What is going on?
No, he never gave that!!!!? He did!!! He gave it!!! Come on, honestly
I can't believe VAR said "come and have a look at this" and the ref watched the slow mo replay and thought "yes, I have made a clear and obvious error there"
Referees that make such clear and obvious errors should serve a 1 year sentence refereeing Sunday league games in south London.
Bet even Binners missus didn't predict Morocco topping their group
Poor old Lukaku. Horrible to get thrown into a game clearly as rusty as that and miss a load of absolute sitters. Hopefully he won't get vilified (like our press would do).
Bet even Binners missus didn’t predict Morocco topping their group
She’s not been betting on the World Cup, for precisely this reason. Not even she would have had that one. Bonkers!
Poor old Lukaku. Horrible to get thrown into a game clearly as rusty as that and miss a load of absolute sitters
I can never understand managers taking players to tournaments who are clearly nowhere near match fit
They had a belief they'd have Lukaku for the knock outs, maybe a couple of subs beforehand, the Morocco game changed that entirely and this is what happens.
Think we're seeing the end of the Belgian golden era as well, there's not the same level coming through, shame as so many good players over the last decade and never really showed it on the big stage.
Belgium showing that FIFA rankings really matter.
I suppose that's what separates the great players from the good ones, actually able to perform when it really matters. Even when the rest of the team are below par.
Well the Japanese are giving it all they've got!
wtaf!
So this moment in time Spain and Germany are out! Or not. Thanks edit button.
So are Costa Rica! Be amazing if they and Japan went through, from that group!
Boo Germany!
can ITV not leave the sodding split screen on please
If Costa Rica score again and Spain don't, both Germany and Spain go out!
can Japan and Spain just knock it about the centre cirle now please
What a crazy group again! The last two nights have been nuts! European sides having a mare!