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!

If Serbia beat Brazil and Switzerland beat Costa Rica. Bye, bye Brazil.

I dont know which game I want to watch more.

Think we will have to have one eye on each match this evening.

Very very exciting afternoon - hope tonight's offerings are even half as good to stoke up all the pundits and the "will they won't they" brigade.

This is the most exciting first stage I can remember for decades!

Serbia any good? Not seen them playing.

The stats arent great for Serbia. Cant see them beating Brazil.

Well after today I wouldn't be shocked if Serbia pull it out the bag!

Nor would I. SK are proof that stranger things can happen.

Wow just got home and checked the score, suprise early exit for Germany. Will try and watch the highlights later.

Will be watching Brazil, I haven't really enjoyed watching them so far but they usually play lovely football so hoping to see evidence of that tonight.

I think Gabriel Jesus should not wear the number 9 shirt. Perhaps number 12, unless betrayed by one of his team mates.

Neymar rolling around clutching his face after being pulled back by the shoulder. Despicable player.

Another Brazilian pretending to be hit in the face when he wasn't - Jesus this time.

Neymar has been a really irritating cheat underwhelming so far

I should have bet on Germany going home after the group stage before the World Cup started. I told my flatmate they'd go and they did.
SK kicked Germany out, but the German team was shambolic this year and had a big hand in their demise. They were no team this time and just looked sluggish all the way through.
I would have loved for Germany to go further, but with that "work ethic".

During the first game I sent my family a message asking if the players had holiday plans from tomorrow onwards and my sister joked that they had probably parked their cars at the short stay car park.

Well there are a few positive sides: When I'll visit my family in Germany next week there won't be any games interrupting our time together, there also won't be firecrackers thrown for every German goal and no car cavalcade with beeping horns and shouting people until the early hours. Bliss

Would love Senegal to win and go through.
Hope it's a good game - we will see...

Senegal

Great goal by Columbia (and great goal celebration)

Missed the match but was listening to the radio the last 15 minutes, it sounded frantic. Disappointed Senegal went out on yellow cards and Japan and Poland stopping play more or less.

Come on England!

Right, we need England to come 2nd. If we came first, we might ended up playing Brazil.

Martinez is thinking the same, saying they are not playing for the win.

Well tonight so far...

Martinez did not say that. He said his priority was for his players to come through un-injured, rather than winning.

That’s a sensible priority; but doesn’t mean he doesnt want to win.

That's a sensible approach. No point in using your best players when you've done the hard part already.

I'm watching. If I was near the blokes with the trumpet 🎺 and the 🥁 I might find myself sticking them where the sun don't shine!
I was in hospital with pre eclampsia during Euro 96. I was allowed out of bed to watch the semi final. Southgate missed the penalty and I went back to bed. The nurse came and took my blood pressure. It had been beautifully calm until then. It peaked dramatically that night. To the extent that the nurse put a 🌟 next to the reading and EURO 96 PENALTY SHOOT OUT next to it!!

Good goal.

Agreed well deserved

TBH, I dont think England are that bothered about getting anything from this game.

Ouch, that looked painful.