World Cup 2022

Yeah, Poland played to avoid a heavy defeat, which got them more than they deserved but it could also be argued that Mexico only really turned up in the game against SA.

Canada were disappointing after hosing their qualification group. Gave Belgium a good game and sparked Croatia into life after scoring so early against them but outclassed in the end & almost salvaged a draw against Morocco.

Hopefully the teams that have scraped through will show more ambition in the knock outs.

Denmark disappointed as well and Belgium were a disaster that didn’t deserve the win they got against Canada. Roberto Martinez has left their employment I believe.

Hopefully Spain get the result they need tonight and I don’t really care who goes through with them.

Spain and Germany currently 1-0 up making group E interesting. Both will go through if it ends like that, and Germany coming from last on 1 point to 2nd would be some turn around.

So the Belgians are out and it looks like Germany will suffer the same fate.Japan could cause an upset against others in the knockouts should they progress.And Costa Rica could still do it.Wow.

Ooft controversial decision giving Japan their winner against Spain, ball looks well over the line before it was cut back for their goal, but the curvature of the ball has been deemed in play/on the line. Really doesn't look like it was.

Anyway as it stands, Japan and Spain through, and Germany has been done by a dodgy decision.

Huge decision. Very suspect,but Credit to Japan.Germany have only themselves to blame in their earlier games.Denmark,Belgium and now the Kruats.The knockouts are going to be interesting. Great viewing though..

With the number of “surprise” results at this tournament… are we seeing the start of a shift in power? Have the better African and Asian nations caught up with or even surpassed the traditional Euro/South American teams?

On the controversial goal… it certainly looked out to me live and one replay angle seems to confirm it although that same angle makes it impossible to see the curvature of the ball. There are one or two other angles where it looks like just maybe it’s still in but it’s not clear & is the freeze frame as he makes contact with the ball or just after? If the latter then the ball has come back towards the field of play.
To me it should have been left as the onfield decision as based on the evidence shown it was not a clear and obvious error.

Looking forward to the knock out games now the cannon fodder and under performing 'big teams' have been knocked out.

The England v Senegal game should be pretty decent too, at least Senegal can score goals anyway, so far England have faced two very defensive minded teams, and a USA without a decent striker. I fancy Japan to knock out Croatia too.
Spain still look a good bet for winning it, but their keeper is suspect, making a Max Stryjek type feckup for the first goal, i'd still say them, France and Brazil are well ahead in terms of capabilities to blow teams away when they turn it on, however all three have had blips in the group stages so who know if they'll step it up in the knockouts, or get caught out again. Argentina is another one who could step it up, they started badly but finished stronger, so could just be timing it right to step up their performances in the knockouts.

My money is still on France winning it though, even in the game they lost, they were already comfortably through and started with a weaker team to rest their big players, then got a goal chopped off after bringing their big players on but it was chopped off with another dodgy VAR decision, i think they'll win when they have to.

Some finish to this afternoon's games, S Korea score in ET to overtake Uruguay by goals scored, their game ends but Uruguay v Ghana still had 8 mins of ET to play and if Uruguay scored they go through, but Ghana could go through if they scored 2 goals. Uruguay get a pen claim but the Ref waves them away and all the Uruguay players and staff are waving their arms about going mental.

Some drama for that group right to the death.

Underwhelming and frustrating night for the Brazilians.No excuses.Yes there were wholesale changes,but that team should have been good enough to take care of Cameroon with respect.Weve seen some dodgy results from smaller teams lately.But I guess I should be happy.Finished top of the group and on to play South Korea on Monday.Hopefully at full strength for the knockouts...

So the Dutch negotiate a tricky tie against a plucky USA and become the first team into the quarter finals.Really good game,but Hollands quality shone through in the end.Onto tonight.Anybody fancy the Aussies against Argentina, yeh thought not.Cmon Messi going home.

Well the Ozzies made a game of it anyway, had a chance right at the death to equalise too, Messi magic for the first goal and looked as if they were cruising at 2-0, but Australia got a fortunate deflected goal and had a couple of decent chances to get a 2nd goal, esp the one at the end, which the Argentine goalie was a bit lucky with it hitting his arm.

So the Argies scrape through to the quarters as the Dutch did earlier.The so called big teams are through so far.France and England will join them tomorrow imo.The tourney is starting to take shape.Whos got the bottle to go all the way.Christ anybody but them,you know who I mean.Moneys still on .

Let’s hope it’s still flying at the end of the night.

So the French got through.Took their time,but their quality shone in the end especially Mbappe.Dissapointed in the Poles.They never looked like causing an upset and deserve to be going home.As for the French,they await the winners of tonight's game.Would love it to be Senegal , but suspect the English will do enough to earn a crack at the frogies. One can but hope its the former .

I almost hope England win so they get gubbed off France, would love to see Walker up against Mbappe, after the English pundits saying Walker would be able to handle him.

Anyway, mon Senegal, wouldn't be so sure England will beat them Troy, i think Senegal will score a couple of goals against them, England are good going forward but they've yet to be tested in defence, and they look a bit shaky. Senegal don't look too hot in defence either right enough so should be a few goals in it, maybe 2-2 going into extra time, or 3-2 to one of them.

England v France it is then, on Sat.

Senegal needed to score one of their chances when they were the better team, England clinical on the counter attack and got it sewn up 3-0. Disappointing for the 'neutral' that Senegal couldn't score and make it interesting.

France will absolutely destroy them if they're as lax in defence as they have been though, looking forward to it. If by some chance England get past them they'll absolutely deserve to think they can win it, France is the best team in the comp from what i've seen.

Was reluctantly confident that England would beat an albeit and arguably very poor Senegal.France will provide a stern test for this England team whove reasonably coasted through the tourny so far.Yeh,can't wait for next Saturday,and tomorrow night for my team.

Senegal were looking good until England scored. Bellingham is some player. It’s been easy for England so far. USA made it difficult for them but they have basically whipped the other 3 teams they have played.

Hopefully France put them to the sword but to be honest, I’m not so sure they will.

Vive la France!

Tough on the Japs, but their penalty shootout was horrendous to say in the least,Sianora. Congrats to the Croats.They play the winners of tonight's game.Brazil two up already,could be a long night for Koreans. Pleasing..

Safe to say Brazil are through to the quarters, 4-0 in the first half with 7 mins still to play.

And I suspect their not finished yetL/F.Been waiting for this..

You’ve put the mockers on it Troy; only 20 minutes left and still only 4-0 and Allison has made a couple of excellent saves. Brazil will find it tougher against Croatia, should still get through to the semis though.

Korea pulled one back with a nice shot from outside the box.