To be excited about the World Cup starting!

[user1471517900]

I know FIFA and Russia and whoever is involved is horrible in some way... But it's the actual World Cup. Mexico v South Korea suddenly becomes hugely important to my life! England have a likeable squad and manager. Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar. Spain sacking their manager yesterday.

It's so exciting isn't it!

Ian Wright really suits spectacles.

😀

I like him. And his spectacles.

I just read that article on the bbc website whitehart

Finally, I found a football thread here! Home at last!

Iceland did well in the Euros a few years back - glad they have equalised.

Football is such a universal game for all nations and both sexes. It's so simple and inexpensive to play. Give kids a ball, and they'll play for hours.

Just despise the corrupt nature of the governing bodies.

And it's a joy to see fans mixing and having fun. We're all the same flesh and blood.

Oh Messi. The supreme player.

Torn - it’s an easy sport to access and was always a fav of the working classes in the UK.
i agree that the corruption and money involved with a lot of the big names and teams is sad - most sports have the same problems but football being so global and so popular has made it worse I suppose. So much money sloshing around.

I don’t like Argentina. If they play like this they’re winning nothing. Had to be Messi missing that after Ronaldo yesterday!

1 -1 - go Iceland!

Nerve wracking but so happy for Iceland.. Great to see Gylfi back.

I do like it when the top teams are having problems.

I think Messi is greedy.
Ronaldo actually played in his teammates yesterday, but it felt like the Messi show today. Great player, but it's a team game.

They'll come good, I'm sure, but they aren't going to win it based on that showing.

Iceland aren't a bad side! Know when England drew them it will as mehhh who comes next but they know how to play.

Woops Messi!

I think Iceland are resolute. Doesn't make for exciting football, but they play to their strengths... big and tall, and defend for their lives, and maybe snatch something. All part of the game.

Iceland defended well and seems to have a good keeper.

The pundits have nice shirts on - they must have bought a blue shirt job lot.

Exactly, they are not a bad team at all, won their qualifying group quite convincingly and importantly they believe in themselves.

They are very organised - reminds me of the German mentally ( in previous tournaments)

I shouldn't laugh, but that reminded me of a quote...

'Very like the Germans, but without the sinister side'

Torn - yes! When are the Germans playing ?

Looked it up
Germans in action tomorrow - Mexico! Could be fun.

Well that was a rousing national anthem from Peru.

I thought Iceland played brilliantly to their strengths. Really solid back four (reminded me if arsenal under George Graham) that were so well organised. A do or die attitude. And a determination to go for every ball that the Argentinians weren't ready for. Loved it.

And Messi'a penalty technique was sadly lacking compared to Ronaldo's last night. I'd hoped he would show a bit of Ronaldo's fighting spirit but he seemed rather lacklustre today.

Out of interest, I watched the match on an Irish bar in Vienna and every single person there (mixture of brits, Irish, Austrian and American) was supporting Iceland

I like Argentina. They will soon show their worth.