Flip

The Germans haven't impressed and neither have Argentina or Brazil, but I still see these 3 teams as the strongest. In other words, France v Colombia in one semi-final and Holland v Belgium in the other...

That hope must've died before today or you've missed that they're playing on different sides of the bracket.

Algeria Unbelievable performance from them.

I think only reason he was still on the pitch is because he seemed to regret it immediately and it wasn't malicious. Very clear red nonetheless in my opinion.

David Luiz will get it. ?

Nigeria looking good. So 2-0 France.

Well before the World Cup only South Americans tried to cheat or it was much less common in England. But by going by the English national team and their pathetic diving attempts against Uruguay that ain't true now is it?

Degs :thup: It's lovely how a whole continent can be put into the same corner because the actions of one or a few.

The thread title

I've forgotten what good crossing is like. What are the chances of Santon putting one like that in.. 0

Czechs in the semis was worse. I remember that game so well. Was criminal. All three knockouts were criminal tbh. Great save by Navas.

and I hope borges scores a hattirck.

Great vision, man. Just the receiving player who didn't run for the ball properly.

He never grabs his arm, this is a still from when Fred is beginning his slow motion dive. Having your arm on top of someone else's arm will never be a penalty. The only contact is his hand lightly on his clavicle. Greece don;'t even attack. They just hold the ball until they lose it and settle back. Watch the moving images, he puts his hand on his shoulder and pulls a bit (you can see the shirt movement if you watch it in slow-motion). It's never a pen in a million years, just like todays isn't.

The thing is, Robbens foot doesn't get stuck or anything, he actually throws himself with a slight touch on his toes. We might as well blow every contact then. Robben THROWS himself, he doesn't fall or over exaggerate. I'm a big defender of over exaggerating, but there's a difference between that and falling on purpose.

Lovrens left arm, holds his shoulder. Check the moving images again. There's barely any contact, but I don't see how Robben gets away with it for you but not Fred.

Simple as that really. Well then don't tell me Fred didn't earn that penalty. He got a slight pull on his shoulder and fell, defender didn't even go for the ball. Not comparable imho although I can see why you are desperate to make it seem so. A slight tug on the shoulder/shirt happens hundreds of times in any given match, on both sides. An incident like this doesn't. Had Marquez not touched Robben he would have had a very good chance at a shot or pass (yeah right) to somebody in a better position. That's ridiculous, Fred could've turn and shot if the slight touch doesn't come either. Neither are penalties, but I'll leave it at that.

Simple as that really. Well then don't tell me Fred didn't earn that penalty. He got a slight pull on his shoulder and fell, defender didn't even go for the ball.

That picture means nothing, look at the moving pictures ffs. Any single image can look worse or better. I have looked at the moving pictures. Marquez is nowhere near the ball and his only intention is to stop Robben skipping past him. I'm being honest here, check Robbens foot, there's the slightest of touches but instead of putting his right foot down he throws himself. It's never a penalty in that situation.

I don't blame Robben, he's doing what anyone would do in that position. I wonder what Unbelievables opinion is, the man who condemned Suarez handball at the World Cup. Going by his arguments back then, there's no way he's happy here. I'm not particularly happy no. Actually, there is a nice parallel between this incident and our tournament in general so far; both are effective and "acceptable" within the rules, but both do not really command respect or set the pulse racing. Still I think we've been on the receiving end of two questionable penalties already this tournament, and nobody could have complained if Robben got a penalty in the first half. So in that sense I don't think the pen was unjustified, especially as Marquez did foul him. Robben is a brilliant player, but I don't like that side of him, same as I suspect you don't like it on Neymar. That's a fair comment, but like for me both us of will hear about the penalty we didn't deserve rather than the one not whistled. Robben did deserve one just like Hulk deserved one yesterday. Still think there should be more contact to warrant a penalty. Just like Fred he took advantage of the slightest of touches and fell. I didn't think it was a penalty, but like you said, in general maybe it was justified as he didn't get one earlier. palnese, obviously players should get the blame, but the pressure on players are unbearable so any advantage they can take they will. I'm not saying it's right per se, I'm just saying that I don't blame him for doing it as I think 99% of players would fall there. What happens if Robben doesn't and they don't win? It's just the way football works, obviously everyone wants an as fair game as possible but until computer systems starts reffing games we'll see these types of situations.

I don't blame Robben, he's doing what anyone would do in that position. I wonder what Unbelievables opinion is, the man who condemned Suarez handball at the World Cup. Going by his arguments back then, there's no way he's happy here.

Butbutbut...there was "contact" . Aye, I think more should be required to blow a penalty. It's not the same as in the middle of the pitch. There's the slightest of touches and just like Fred he throws himself for it. Referees should require more contact needs to be made for a penalty.