For heritage reasons, I was cheering for Germany, but they really did not play well this tournament. I figured they would be eliminated next round (with France doing the honors), not by Paraguay!
I don't think I was clear. I didn't watch the match. I was rudely awakened at 6 in the morning by the roaring and honking of nearby Moroccan people.
I have just watched the game without knowing the result beforehand! It was a cracker, both teams playing to a standstill over two hours and I think the penalties were taken by those able to move at more than a walk.
Really feel for Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands who lost his unborn son this week 🙏 for him and his partner.
Watching the French is like watching a combination of ballet and gymnastics, especially that guy Olise. They are wonderful to watch, as the slang goes, pure.
Well, the Azteca stadium at 7000 feet above sea level represents a massive challenge to any team.
I was thinking the same thing, but an announcer pointed out that Quito, Ecuador is at over 9000 feet. Didn't help them enough to get past Mexico though.
Watching England is hard, they toiled and toiled, but were rescued by Sir Harry. But they look poor.
They looked desperately poor. Worse still is that there are a handful of gifted footballers sat at. home or on holiday. It appears that hard work and effort are rewarded over skill, nay brilliance.
I tell you, huffing and puffing in Mexico City will be worse than useless.
Let me just say I am pleased the USA team advanced, but what is with the red card of Folarin Balogun? It is my understanding the field ref was about to let the violation just be a foul, but the Video Assistant Referee thought in slow motion it looked like it was flagrant. Others who have seen it thinks it was accidental Balogun stepped on the Bosnian player. This happened at the 64th/65th minute.
Throughout the game it seemed the Bosnians played dirty. Grabbing on to USA shirts, this impeding play, intentially fouling USA players, much like the foul Balogun committed.
Sadly, that is the nature of the game. A large number of teams can point to bad referee decisions and questionable VAR calls. (And, yes, the red card in the USA game is on the list--along with the call that denied Germany a game-winning goal against Paraguay.)
But it's part of the beauty of the game. It's not some perfect chess game, played by robots, but a mucky game full of mistakes, fouls, and so on. We wuz robbed, is one of the old cries, and indeed we wuz.
But it's part of the beauty of the game. It's not some perfect chess game, played by robots, but a mucky game full of mistakes, fouls, and so on. We wuz robbed, is one of the old cries, and indeed we wuz.
In the good old days before slow motion replays (or televised football at all*) complaining fans, players and managers were told to “Read it in the paper” and that was it.
*back in the U.K. soccer was televised very patchily until about 1965.
I think part of the experience of being a fan is complaining, and then there is bitterness, a sense of injustice, but also happiness, fulfilment. Of course, these are all intermingled.
I think part of the experience of being a fan is complaining, and then there is bitterness, a sense of injustice, but also happiness, fulfilment. Of course, these are all intermingled.
Yep. that was me.
But I do think there should be a right of appeal so that he does not have to sit out the next game against Belgium.
I think part of the experience of being a fan is complaining, and then there is bitterness, a sense of injustice, but also happiness, fulfilment. Of course, these are all intermingled.
You can add desperation!
Did I mention that I support Everton FC ? The longer established club that has been in Liverpool’s shadow for many years. We have won trophies but just one, the 1995 FA Cup since the Premier League was formed.
We now have a big shiny new stadium, but it looked like we could be relegated just before we started to use it.
Desperation is good. I'm a fan of Oldham Athletic, founder member of the Premier League, but also relegated several times, and then promoted to the 2nd division. O the mind, mind, has mountains, no man fathomed. (Hopkins).
But it's part of the beauty of the game. It's not some perfect chess game, played by robots, but a mucky game full of mistakes, fouls, and so on. We wuz robbed, is one of the old cries, and indeed we wuz.
It's being judged by robots, though, and not always by criteria real people can see even with slo-mo replay.
That was quite an evening’s football here in Britain. Australia were brave and very physical which disconcerted the classier Egypt team no end. The latter were more sensible in the penalties and that condemned Australia.
I’m not gonna to try to analyse Argentina against Cape Verde.
On their record, what you expect of FIFA? That’s right, they are a sports governing body. How often are these a force for good? Rarely, and if it is an international one, there are so many members with axes to grind that have little to do with sport, that the game, the players and the supporters rarely show up on the radar.
FIFA said: "By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one [1] year."
I have no idea what that even means. Probation? If he gets another red, has he violated probation? And what happens? Suspended two games?
Looks like some Mexican supporters did their level best to disturb the sleep of the England team but local police/military guarded against it.
Mexico have an excellent chance of beating England. They hardly ever lose at the Azteca stadium; vociferous home support, the altitude, plus they have a very good team. England will do very well to get an unlikely win.
Looks like some Mexican supporters did their level best to disturb the sleep of the England team but local police/military guarded against it.
Mexico have an excellent chance of beating England. They hardly ever lose at the Azteca stadium; vociferous home support, the altitude, plus they have a very good team. England will do very well to get an unlikely win.
Most national teams play the majority of their fixtures against other teams in their federation. England play most of their games against other UEFA teams and it appears that Mexico plays most of its fixtures against teams in the CONMEBOL federation, comprising teams from North and Central America plus the Caribbean.
In CONMEBOL Mexico is a very big fish indeed, so home and away, but especially at home, I would expect them to have a very good record.
I think I know of one referee who is glad the English Mexican game is over. Congratulations to England--I guess
Regarding the FIFA call about Balogun. They made the decision after a call from Trump. Wish I could have listened in the conversation. I understand Belgium is not to happy.
Up to last night, Mexico had lost twice only in 89 games at Azteca. That’s an absolutely formidable record, certainly much better than England’s record at Wembley.
Now it’s three times in 90.
England played very very well by all accounts (I didn’t stay up to watch it). And survived for over three quarters of an hour with only 10 men.
Their reward is Norway, the conquerors of Brazil. A great performance by them too. That will be some match as well.
I think I know of one referee who is glad the English Mexican game is over. Congratulations to England--I guess
Regarding the FIFA call about Balogun. They made the decision after a call from Trump. Wish I could have listened in the conversation. I understand Belgium is not to happy.
I think it's fair to say that the Belgians aren't the only ones upset about that. The French federation say they are going to contest the yellow cards handed out in the Paraguay game.
I couldn't face it at 2am, but my wife gallantly followed it online. I woke at 7, convinced England had lost, then dumbfounded to see Belly 2 goals, Kate 1. What next?
I couldn't face it at 2am, but my wife gallantly followed it online. I woke at 7, convinced England had lost, then dumbfounded to see Belly 2 goals, Kate 1. What next?
There wasn’t much love lost between the sides, but that’s down to the indecisive referee, not the players.
I expect England v Norway will probably be more sporting although there will be plenty of blood and thunder.
As a France supporter, I think what I want to happen is for the USA to play Balogun and then be soundly beaten by Les Bleus.
It's well known that just about anyone who is not French will root for whoever they are playing because everyone hates us (partly old rivalries, partly that France are favourites). One of the few satisfactions of the ugly Paraguay game was to see English fans who felt obliged to support the French by the end Under the circumstances I could see a similar thing happening in a France- USA match.
I’m one of the allegedly rare Englishmen who likes France and the French. It’s not an especially easy relationship, but once you follow La politesse you can get manage with surprisingly limited French.
As far as sport is concerned, Anglo-French football rivalry is as nothing compared to rugby rivalry!
I’ll be cheering for Belgium. The FIFA decision is highly suspect.
(And I like France. My wife and I had a truly memorable walking holiday on the French/Swiss border several years ago now. I think France could win this year.)
The English victory has dominated the news here. I’m old enough to remember the 1966 victory (I was 23 at the time) but the media coverage was nothing like what’s going on in the UK at present.
As the late Bill Shankly put it. “Football is not a matter of life and death. It’s much more important than that”. So it seems to have become.
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My apologies in advance to the Canadian and Norwegian teams.
At full time it was 1-1 so the game went to a penalty shoot-out which Paraguay won 4-3.
You certainly did get up early since it was an over two hour game, not counting the penalty kicks at the end.
Morocco v Canada? Where is my Maple Leaf?
I have just watched the game without knowing the result beforehand! It was a cracker, both teams playing to a standstill over two hours and I think the penalties were taken by those able to move at more than a walk.
Really feel for Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands who lost his unborn son this week 🙏 for him and his partner.
Some game. Who else to score the winner?
I would indeed - and for Canada!
I was thinking the same thing, but an announcer pointed out that Quito, Ecuador is at over 9000 feet. Didn't help them enough to get past Mexico though.
They looked desperately poor. Worse still is that there are a handful of gifted footballers sat at. home or on holiday. It appears that hard work and effort are rewarded over skill, nay brilliance.
I tell you, huffing and puffing in Mexico City will be worse than useless.
Throughout the game it seemed the Bosnians played dirty. Grabbing on to USA shirts, this impeding play, intentially fouling USA players, much like the foul Balogun committed.
Maybe I am sore winner.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/news/folarin-balogun-red-card-controversial-call-usmnt/f421435cc087073bcf6ce1b0
In the good old days before slow motion replays (or televised football at all*) complaining fans, players and managers were told to “Read it in the paper” and that was it.
*back in the U.K. soccer was televised very patchily until about 1965.
Yep. that was me.
But I do think there should be a right of appeal so that he does not have to sit out the next game against Belgium.
You can add desperation!
Did I mention that I support Everton FC ? The longer established club that has been in Liverpool’s shadow for many years. We have won trophies but just one, the 1995 FA Cup since the Premier League was formed.
We now have a big shiny new stadium, but it looked like we could be relegated just before we started to use it.
It's being judged by robots, though, and not always by criteria real people can see even with slo-mo replay.
I’m not gonna to try to analyse Argentina against Cape Verde.
No is doesn’t. It’s moved to 7pm BST Sunday because of the threat of thunderstorms, Pubs don’t need to stay open.
No it doesnt’t. FIFA flip flops back to 1pm BST on Monday.
And that’s final. Maybe.
Have the Mexican noise making supporters found the hotel whereabouts of the England team yet?
Mexico have an excellent chance of beating England. They hardly ever lose at the Azteca stadium; vociferous home support, the altitude, plus they have a very good team. England will do very well to get an unlikely win.
Most national teams play the majority of their fixtures against other teams in their federation. England play most of their games against other UEFA teams and it appears that Mexico plays most of its fixtures against teams in the CONMEBOL federation, comprising teams from North and Central America plus the Caribbean.
In CONMEBOL Mexico is a very big fish indeed, so home and away, but especially at home, I would expect them to have a very good record.
Regarding the FIFA call about Balogun. They made the decision after a call from Trump. Wish I could have listened in the conversation. I understand Belgium is not to happy.
Now it’s three times in 90.
England played very very well by all accounts (I didn’t stay up to watch it). And survived for over three quarters of an hour with only 10 men.
Their reward is Norway, the conquerors of Brazil. A great performance by them too. That will be some match as well.
If England somehow get past Norway into the semifinal, their most likely opponent looks like being Argentina.
And isn’t that a surprise!!!
Mind you, England have to get past Norway, and this is a very good Norway side, with an extra player in the stands.
I think it's fair to say that the Belgians aren't the only ones upset about that. The French federation say they are going to contest the yellow cards handed out in the Paraguay game.
There wasn’t much love lost between the sides, but that’s down to the indecisive referee, not the players.
I expect England v Norway will probably be more sporting although there will be plenty of blood and thunder.
As a France supporter, I think what I want to happen is for the USA to play Balogun and then be soundly beaten by Les Bleus.
It's well known that just about anyone who is not French will root for whoever they are playing because everyone hates us (partly old rivalries, partly that France are favourites). One of the few satisfactions of the ugly Paraguay game was to see English fans who felt obliged to support the French by the end
As far as sport is concerned, Anglo-French football rivalry is as nothing compared to rugby rivalry!
(And I like France. My wife and I had a truly memorable walking holiday on the French/Swiss border several years ago now. I think France could win this year.)
The English victory has dominated the news here. I’m old enough to remember the 1966 victory (I was 23 at the time) but the media coverage was nothing like what’s going on in the UK at present.
As the late Bill Shankly put it. “Football is not a matter of life and death. It’s much more important than that”. So it seems to have become.
Punctuation matters.