bluebruce

Japan just need to win against Costa Rica, won't make any difference how well they win will it? That will give Japan 6 and Germany wouldn't be capable of more than 4 then. It would be Spain they'd need to fail then, by losing to Japan. Then Germany would duke it out with Spain on 4 each, and I assume it goes off GD? So they'd need to beat CR by more than Spain do (assuming Spain lost by no more than 1 to Japan).

Only just seen that the Germans put their hands over their mouths before the game in protest at being forbidden from wearing rainbow armbands. FIFA had threatened them with sanctions if they wore it! Personally I think that's fucking outrageous. Isn't football as a whole supposed to be making strides in support in this area? And now the world's governing body threaten sanctions for a simple gesture of support. The way FIFA have not only crookedly given Qatar a WC but subsequently kowtowed to every archaic wish of the Qataris is an absolute blight on the sport. I get that this is a sovereign country with its own laws and customs, but they're incredibly lucky to be hosting a World Cup in the first place. It should very much have been about adapting their laws and customs temporarily, in limited spaces, for the global guests they're welcoming. It should never have been about the World Cup making a long list of concessions for it to be held in a country no fucker wanted it held in anyway. On top of which, it's just a bloody symbol, and it's hardly a swastika. It's not like the Germans or other nations wearing rainbow armbands was going to set off an avalanche of bumming in Qatar. If Qatar weren't willing to make legally-binding commitments for the competition to be held in the manner it is accustomed to, with guests enjoying freedoms they're accustomed to, then they should have been told in absolutely no uncertain terms that the World Cup would be held elsewhere. Of course, that was never going to happen because too much money was on the table for corrupt scrotes at FIFA HQ.

Then would you agree that if managers and head coaches make mistakes, then fans are allowed to question their decisions?

This result is an upset, but it's much less of a shock than the Saudi win. That was 3rd in the rankings losing to 51st, this was 11th losing to 24th. I've thought Japan are a decent technical side for years now, underrated, but it's still a bit of a surprise, and a pleasing one of course as it's Germany. With Spain in the group too, there's a chance of Germany not getting past the group stage now.

No underdog wins in the game you quoted, but Saudi Arabia's win must be a bigger upset.

I was more than surprised, I was outright calling it stupid.

View to a permanent. That's the best move all round I think. Simply isn't going to make it here. Time for him to get his career going.

Thankfully not major in this case though as we still won by a very convincing scoreline. Rather get the shite decisions out of the way now!

I was thinking myself that it's a very brave move from them. I hope no harm comes to them or their loved ones. If the national side are willing to protest like that, I suspect things are coming to a potential turning point over there. A full discussion of that belongs elsewhere of course, but best of luck to the Iranian people right now in achieving positive change.

VAR decision was bollocks. He was never getting on the end of it and it was just typical penalty box argy bargy. You'd be giving ten a game if you give those. But apparently not the wrestling one against us.

The most infectious laugh I think I've ever heard. Brightens me right up.

Can't see where any of you are coming from. Love the guy

They must have had a lot of bamboo on their feet by now then. Qatar have been embarrassingly bad since I was a kid. They were mine and my mate's fave team to pick as whipping boys on FIFA 94 when we wanted to get a cricket score using Brazil.

Good luck to them telling that to the rest of the world...

Coming from behind? Methinks the first team could learn a thing or two there...

I agree, 48 teams will be excessive.

Iran must be absolutely loving the group they've been given then. Us, the 'Great Satan' USA, and even Wales are part of Great Britain. Short of Israel being in there it couldn't be much more of a hate fest for them.

🤣🤣🤣

Giggs - 64 caps Mike England - 44 caps

Yeh if people don't fancy watching certain fixtures that'll brook no argument from me, personal taste (and I'm probably in the same boat, bit busy this week). But I think it's in the wider interests of football to have it in the current format. I'd say of the ones you listed, Qatar and Serbia might spring a surprise. Qatar as the host nation...yes they're abysmally bad but you should never rule out a home nation, and Ecuador are nothing special. Serbia's style might cause problems for Brazil if they're disciplined (admittedly I'm thinking of old Serbia, not seen them play in years...again one of the benefits of more nations at a WC). Anyway when it gets to the knockout stages you'll see more exciting games on offer. And if you don't, it's because some of those underdogs have sprung a surprise.

I feel this argument is a bit like saying the FA Cup should only be the Prem and maybe the Championship. I like that lesser footballing nations get their chance to shine on the world stage. It instils a bit of pride and can promote interest in football. Sometimes it helps certain talents be found that otherwise wouldn't be. And it leaves open the potential for some giant killing and shock results. I also think those lesser footballing nations are often better than given credit for. I think the global profile of the game and interest in playing has risen, standards rising with it, but people are often stuck in old fashioned views of how good these countries are, along with a view that if a country's players aren't featuring in the top European leagues they must be shit. It's very unlikely any of these sides will win the whole competition (mind you, who fancied Greece to win the Euros that time?), but I bet there are at least some shock results this WC.

As I posted above, 6,500 migrant workers have not died building the stadiums. As the article you quoted reveals lower down, 37 have. And that's a bit of a stretch too.

Finished 1-1. Good result since we had 10 men since the 42nd minute (Harlock sent off), which I've only just seen in the match report. I wasn't watching it. Fielded an inexperienced team. Never even heard of 'Litherland', who started, I'm guessing in defence.

Rovers 1 up, scored late in the game, own goal. Maybe 5 mins left.

I only really use betfred, coral and skybet, can't find odds on this game on any of those three.