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!

I’m sure Belgium did not think that one through!🤣🤣

Not playing Brazil is a massive plus.

I don't believe England aimed for a loss, that doesn't mean that the results thereof can't be the better route.

It was the perfect match to try out different team structures; I think Southgate managed the situation well.

We all know we didn't play as good as Belgium. Simply as they won.

But there's positives to losing, and that is we don't have to play Brazil if we win the next game, we play sweden or Switzerland instead which is an easier game.

I don't know. Playing and beating Brazil in the semi final would give them an enormous boost for the final.

I remember in 1988 when the Netherlands beat West Germany 2-1 in the semi that it felt like the Euro Cup final was already won. It was such a big win that the teams confidence was sky high.

Colombia and then Sweden/Switzerland will be far from easy and the press will not take kindly to a loss against any of these teams.

Playing and beating Brazil in the semi final would give them an enormous boost for the final

Could too easily go the other way. Treat a semi final as a final, it’s so common for teams to then be flat in the final.

Me too BitOutOfPractice. I've caught up with the transfer gossip

@BitOutOfPractice

Wakefield vs Saints. Sky Sports Arena!

That isn’t the beautiful game!

That isn’t the beautiful game

Better than! Fortunately mostly it doesn’t clash with the WC.

This should be an interesting game.

Well that was silly.

What a start

For France, Not so much for Argentina. That was sloppy play.

What are Argentina playing at? Are they looking for cards?

@TaliZorahVasNormandy

I rather meant in general. First knock out matches can so often be tedious, I enjoyed the early drama!

I agree. Also Argentina are losing. Win Win.

Argentina are poor again, Kante is doing a great job containing Messi, not heard his name yet.

ToffeeUp nope and like before Iceland was meant to be a meh easy win game.. Least this time things have been calmer. Less let's look to the next game. Easy on paper that's it.

Don't think they played to lose.. Just not as good as have been.. Hopefully they'll step it up. Our record for knock out wins is pretty bad.

Dammit but what a goal!

Ooof, nicely done. Keeper nearly had it.

No chance of stopping that one, excellent goal

France you knobbers.

And another cracker!