Segun Oluwaniyi

Ayew continuing Sunderland great John Mensah's tradition of curiously short run-ups against Uruguay with similar results. 

This World Cup is hilarious I have been sitting here maniacally laughing in the twenty minutes since the penalty. A shame it had to be Ayew, but to wait twelve+ years for redemption just to do that.

6 minutes ago, Disco said:

Kudus is what Martins thought he was.

I don't understand how these are similar players, Kudus is dribbler above anything else, young Obafemi just sprinted around the pitch and smashed goals in at a random rate much higher than Kudus.

The group is essentially done unless Spain or Costa Rica can score twice. 7-0 result carrying Spain through.

Just now, RodneyCisse said:

Who’s through as it stands?

Germany need six goals. They are at the mercy of Japan. 

27 minutes ago, ponsaelius said:

 

Tomori is already cap tied isn't he as he has played in competitive games for England?

My understanding was that he is eligible for Nigeria and Canada still through some loop hole of the rule because he has played under a certain number of matches and did so before the age requirement was in place. Nigeria is a country that actually sends William Troost-Ekong out to play in serious matches, so his name has popped up manny times recently along with the likes of Adarabioyo. 

8 minutes ago, Pokerprince2004 said:

 

Really hoping Ghana can join them as well which would be fantastic for African football!

 

(Cameroon probably not got any chance unfortunately) 

Ghana does not count. We are supporting a Suarez hattrick tomorrow. 

I believe people in this thread are over-selling how much of this failure is to do with Martinez. He was an immediate improvement over the prior manager and reached the World Cup semi-final. His biggest crime was holding on to the "Golden Generation" too long. The corpses of Toby, Vertonghen, Hazard, and Lukaku were not helpful in 2022. 

Two African teams in the last 16, matching the high point of 2014. Well done to Morocco, best team in their group by a distance, tbh, and can certainly beat Germany or whichever team advances 2nd from that group. 

Lukaku looks exactly how I do when I play on weekend mornings.  Every ball just bouncing off him at ridiculous angles, no control over the ball or composure whatsoever. 

13 hours ago, 54 said:

Only thing I don't like about the carnage is the format they've decided, groups of three with the top two going through is going to be a bit shit, I kind of wish they'd just done a straight 48 team knockout tournament, that carnage would have been unreal  

I am hoping that FIFA follow their example of realising a summer World Cup in Qatar was impossible, and fix this idiotic format. Three team groups make absolutely no sense. Instead of the drama, excitement, and permutations we have seen the past two nights with simultaneous matches, there will be dead rubbers, allegations of collusion, and teams that are essentially eliminated after playing one match. 48 is a workable number if you just double the current format of the AFCON and EUROs. Even just having 64 teams would make much more sense. FIFA have attempted to expand the number of teams without increasing the number of matches, it is just foolishness.

One aspect of 2026, I am very excited by is a World Cup with unique stadiums and a different "look". Since in 2010, 14, 18, and 22 the majority of the stadiums were either built or renovated in a way that was purpose-built to hold World Cup matches and they all look quite similar as a result, tbh. Specifically, the last two look identical to me, the only visual cue that a match was in Qatar rather than Russia is the empty VIP seating and number of people in Arab dress. Matches in NFL stadiums and Azteca will be an improvement in that regard.

These last two days are decreasing life expectancy across the North American continent.

Martinez should have sent Mexico through!

Messi's finishing has been poor in this match, but some of the passes he has played have been incredible.

Neither Poland or Mexico really deserve to go through it feels like, both have been poor and below the expected level.

This is the only tournament where it would seriously make sense to just hold a shoot out to separate teams rather than fairplay or any of that nonsense. With the tiny distances, it could be set up in 1.5 hours.

Messi has always been below average with penalties for whatever reason. Bizarre when he is probably the most accurate shooter in history.

This Acuna has been given perfect service a couple of times and done nothing. Very wasteful.

That is a penalty, but it is rare to see penalties like this.

France have had very easy and boring groups in the past three World Cups.

England, Italy, and Ghana all made serious errors letting this Musah boy go play for the the US. He wasn't raised there nor are his parents American and he would have a part to play for all of those teams. One of the best midfielders I have seen in this tournament for any team, tbh.

Iran have defended alright outside of falling asleep for the goal, but their play with the ball has been disastrous. Slow, weak, giving it away for no reason. Great half for the US.

Continuation from the first two matches for the US. Started with great energy and pace, but need more goal threat and need to take advantage of their early superiority because Iran are solid and will be more dangerous once the US counterpress tires. Would be nice to have a player that can win an aerial duel, it that is this Wright boy, then so be it.

It seems wrong to have all the defenders come out after the first header and also have a man on the post? As though they mixed the tactics of defending the corner?

GOAL!! We are back!!

That is shameful from Valencia.

31 minutes ago, Pata said:

Yeah, they are the classic stereotype of unorganised African team. 

Europeans took this stereotype because of Cameroon in 1990 and I assure you they have never stopped playing this way.  They are unique among the African teams. 

Serbian players look exhausted especially Mitrovic. Looks like the heat is affecting them.

If this result remains the same, Germany have a good chance of going through even with a loss to Spain today.

Unless Wales take the lead, Iran will defend the 0-0 with their lives when they play this USA team without any quality centre-forwards. There is no incentive to attack. That could be a very frustrating and difficult game.

Benelux countries at this tournament both look in a good position to go through at this point, but they have played rubbish. Mendy's foolishness and Canada's wastefulness the saving grace.

Win for Ecuador is a bad result for my adopted homeland of Senegal, but they would have earned it.

I am actively watching this match to laugh at Ghana's defeat and I still think the penalty was a disgraceful decision. It is objectively just incorrect.

Belgium are not in this match at all. Disorganised defensively, second to every ball low energy all over the pitch. Easily the worst "contender" thus far. Only poor decisions from Canada in attack have kept this 0-0.

4 minutes ago, Emotic said:

Poland is a shit sandwich. One good goalie, one good striker, absolute dross in between. 

Zielinski and Zalewski are very exciting players in Serie A. This team is just set up to play negative football with these players.

This is the least talented El Tri I can remember watching. Very little attacking quality. This has been the worst match of the tournament by a distance thus far.

No idea why Wales did not start Moore. The US looked questionable defensively once there was a player there to engage with them. 

Zimmerman just gave away two points with that challenge, for no reason whatsoever. Very frustrating. US did not create enough chances with their dominance, either.