Andy

The best for me; considering it was a final too and against good opposition Best part of it all is that CRonaldo would never do something like that. Amirite Froggy? I was talking to a friend about this last night, can anyone remember a memorable Cronaldo goal? Long-rangers (Porto)/free-kicks(Pompey) mainly. Fulham. Late winner. Ran from inside his own half. What year? The fuck does that matter for? Go on YT and search for Cristiano Ronaldo best solo goals. There's loads where he beats many players and finishes. Such short memories. Ronaldo outscored him again this year too. Messi's all-round game is miles ahead of your lad's like. Goal scoring is the only area in which they're comparable, Messi is on a completely different level as a footballer.

Nah, I'd rather see him go out on a high. He was outstanding today and it's fantastic to see him playing again, but in reality he isn't good enough at this level and forcing him into the team next season out of sentiment would probably sour the memories a bit. Let him leave and be remembered for today

What game were you watching? Anita was all owa the shop today.

He's barely acceptable as a fourth choice striker. He should be nowhere near any starting eleven at this level.

Can't even see how this is up for debate. We are severely lacking in players who can deliver moments of quality in attacking areas. The likes of Cabella, Gouffran, Ameobi, Guttierez, Ryan Taylor and so on are objectively not fit to lace Ben Arfa's boots in that sense and their added (and often mythical) "work rate" has hardly done us any favours at the other end of the pitch. Their impact in attacking areas is basically non-existent and the lack of threat they provide makes opponents comfortable pushing forward in numbers against us. Ben Arfa would walk into this team in a heartbeat under any manager with a single footballing brain cell, but instead his style of play makes him an easy fall-guy for those without.

Ah right, point still stands though. I don't think it does like Every match-going fan I've spoke to fucking loves the lad. This is the only place I've seen consistent vitriol towards him.

Aye. The majority of our supporters love him man, he's probably our most popular player outside of the messageboard bubble.

PSG's midfield are all over the place without Motta. Massively underrated player.

Watched the match yesterday and found myself just getting on with my day afterwards as if I'd just watched Everton lose to Stoke or something. I want to care but it's gone, they've sucked it out of me.

Class player. Just doesn't waste the ball at all. Having him and Veratti in midfield almost completely nullified the sending off.

He never was shit tbf, he was just wasted

Strange request, but no bother

Restored it for him, it's awful when posts vanish like that without explanation

Sad but inevitable news. He fashioned some great memories and was unplayable on his day. There's obviously something not right if you look at his history though - Pardew and Bruce may be muppets but his ill-fated relationships with managers and teammates goes beyond those two. Massive shame because if he was right mentally he could've been a world beater; you have to wonder what he's like behind closed doors. Having said that like he clearly shouldnt be leaving when the likes of Gouffran get a game week in week out.

My hopes are so up that I'm actually posting in Football. Please happen.

I find it hard to dislike Neymar like, even though he's obviously soft as shite, an emotional wreck and a bit of an pillock. He's handled the pressure of this world cup way better than the majority of his teammates and I didn't think he had it in him to raise his game the way he did in the first few games in particular. Pretty sure he's talking rubbish about nearly being paralysed mind, but it's understandable that he'd probably be a bit bitter over what happened.

Argies will sit back for 90 minutes and look to pick off Germany's suicidal high-line. They were shite tonight but I reckon their name's on the trophy.

It's shite, but it's been part of the game for years that like.

Marcelo wasn't though. Different phases of play and all that.

He's onside there tbf. No he isn't He is like Compare how close his left foot is to the badly-placed line with how close the ball is to it. Looks behind the ball therefore onside... Aye.

He's onside there tbf. No he isn't He is like Compare how close his left foot is to the badly-placed line with how close the ball is to it.

He's onside there tbf.

What have you seen to suggest they're not very good? Genuine question, I don't really take much interest in the qualifiers tbh. I think they were 1 win in 7 before the tournament and drew 1-1 with Luxembourg a week before the start with a full strength side, and 0-0 with Ireland the week before. They played a lot experimental formations in the build up though. They lack a bit pace but Italy are a pretty solid side at full strength I think. Confident they'll beat Uruguay and Costa Rica then? No.

What have you seen to suggest they're not very good? Genuine question, I don't really take much interest in the qualifiers tbh. I think they were 1 win in 7 before the tournament and drew 1-1 with Luxembourg a week before the start with a full strength side, and 0-0 with Ireland the week before. They played a lot experimental formations in the build up though. They lack a bit pace but Italy are a pretty solid side at full strength I think.