Shak

Fuck me that felt like they were gonna throw that away. Glad they went through, howay Messi.

Had a decent looking attack there if Messi had just got back up and got on with it.

Really makes you appreciate Howe, this. State of Argentina trying to close the game out

They were definitely good changes but I didn't feel like a goal was coming until it did either, if that makes sense?

Crazy how a random goal out if nowhere can completely change a game. Argies are all over the place.

Where do you think that comes from, Richard? Some unachieved past ambition?

Wout there it is.

Man if this manager had been in charge of Argentina for all of Messi's WC's I have to think they'd have won one or two. Really well organised, look hard as fuck to beat. Just not sure they have the talent to go all the way, they might do but it'll be a lot of winning ugly. Messi in his prime with Tevez and Aguero in this kind of setup would have been a force, though.

That pass man Tried to force the wife to care about it, just geeking out like a dipshit here.

Completely sickened by that anyway, loads of dislikeable lads obviously but so much more interesting having them in the rest of the tournament than fucking Croatia.

Seems entirely obvious that shootout penalties shouldn't count

Watching this in the pub with a bunch of Brazilians, they're all very agitated. Seemed like Vinicius off was a mental decision, yeah?

Fuck I love the idea of having our backups be a bunch of teenagers that we've signed for a few million. The odd one breaking through into the first team, just having backups you're excited to see rather than just hoping they don't kick their own faces off. And of course sending them all out together and absolutely rinsing lower league teams in the early rounds of the cup. That's the real dream

Feel like the point of getting Ashworth is that we'll be signing the likes of Caicedo from South America for a few million rather than other Premier League clubs a couple of years later for ten times the price. Maybe they think he's going to be an absolute superstar and it'll be worth it but I'd guess the likes of Perrone or Andrey Santos are more likely.

I think these two things could end up going hand in hand, to some extent. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see 2 or 3 brought in from South America with the idea that it's a good time for those clubs to sell and the players will basically have six months to settle in England and integrate into the squad without being expected to play a lot of first team football. If they hit the ground running all the better but with no European football our squad shouldn't be stretched too badly until next season. Any other signings from Europe will probably be contract dependent, the likes of Ashby or Thuram. Maddison might fall into that category if Leicester feel they're safe and that he definitely isn't gonna sign a new contract. Might be able to get more for him in January than they would in summer.

I mean, your lads were just as impressive last night tbh. Personally would have Brazil as slight favourites over France and then a bit of a gap back to England, Argentina and Portugal who are all much of a muchness IMO. Anything can happen, of course, but I have a hard time seeing any of the other three winning it. Second round was a bit shit tbh, hopefully the quarters are a bit better.

Aye, Spain are absolutely miserable to watch.

Still reckon he's moved ahead of Fred and was being kept in case Neymar wasn't ready. But whatever, the less he plays the better for Newcastle so it's all good.

Gave up when she didn't have Twitter. I'll sort it out though Mike, she'll bring a friend with her to Norway to visit me don't worry.

I think part of the attraction with Maddison will be that he could play a number of roles in our team. Could see him playing as one of the three midfielders or out wide. Think the role we have Miggy in might ultimately be where he plays a lot of his football if he does sign. It's not really a true wide role as Trippier just has so much license and ability to basically be a winger when we're in possession so Maddison would tuck in and play just off the striker like Miggy does. Guy clearly has an eye for goal and you'd think he'd be lethal picking out passes in that area too. Not that displacing Almiron will be easy. Looking at the two big signings we've made in terms of attackers/midfielders, Bruno can play either as a holder or a more advanced CM, while Isak can lead the line or play just off or out wide. Think we'll see that continue as further players join.

He's very obviously going to start the next game, lads. All the reserves starting today yet Fred keeping his place is pretty fucking obvious. He'll replace Fred in the front six from last game, Neymar on the bench at best as they'll assume they have enough to beat Korea without him needing to start.

There isn't I dunno, you do you man but I can't get my head around not wanting to see that match on such a stage. Don't think there are many Irish football fans over the age of 45 or so who wouldn't have the game in Euro 88 when they beat England 1-0 at the Euros as their favourite game. I was just too young but even the World Cup in 1990, beating Romania on penalties in the last 16 is what made me a football fan. By all accounts it was the dullest 0-0 of all time to get to there but man... that shootout I'll remember forever. But yeah, you'll likely get levelled by Brazil and Japan are unlikely to beat Croatia you'd think.

I did sit on the ground outside the pub for like an hour when Ireland lost the shootout to Spain in 2002. We'd have beat the piss out of your lot in the quarters, too. I'm convinced of it

You might win though.

Man, I don't get the mentality. Would be the biggest game of football in your country's history, would be class.