ponsaelius

By contrast 2018 was: UEFA 10 CONMEBOL 4 CONCACAF 1 AFC 1 Much more Europe/South America centric. England's side of the draw that year in particular felt basically like a Euros. Shows perhaps that hosting it in different locations can impact performance. It must be of relevance that the Asian countries will have been used to playing in Qatar and other Gulf states in the past.

Made this point before but great to see a decent mix of regions represented: UEFA 8 AFC 3 (basically an Oceania rep in there) CAF 2 (1 West African and 1 North) CONMEBOL 2 CONCACAF 1 Very similar to 2002 in that sense. Poland through over the other teams in that group only real disappointment for me. Pressure on a South American side to win it in a way. Peru going out in the play-off and both Uruguay/Ecuador crashing out in the groups is a big underperformance for the continent.

Brazil are really lucky that the Swiss didn't bag a 4th goal towards the end there. Would have gone from a likely South Korea - Japan/Croatia - Netherlands/Argentina run to the final to likely Portugal - Spain - France/England. Definitely would rather have the former - even acknowledging that anything can happen in this tournament.

They are indeed both impossible.

Even the teams getting through with 6 points early added to the chaos, as their reserves were shafted (France, Portugal and Brazil) which allowed outsiders either through or back in with a shout.

Type of player who absolutely should have had a spell at PL club at some point. Indeed almost unfathomable that he hasn't.

Would have made the doomsday quarter final more likely though. Swings and roundabouts

Out of sync comms completely ruined that moment ffs

Knew this game would be good after the last one but wasn't quite expecting this.

Can't have a tournament without a Shaqiri goal

Kind of forgot it was a Suarez brace which knocked Korea out in the last 16 of 2010 as well. Double revenge.

Balls out selection for Serbia with both Mitrovic and Vlahovic in. No Sommer for Suisse but Schaer plays.

It was amazing the attackers were still frantically trying to score but the keeper had long since given up hope and just wanted to take them down too.

I love Uruguay too, man. Every story needs villains and they are great at it.

Can't believe I doubted this tournament. Just keep sportswashing me plz qatar x

That was just sensational. The fact that Ghana couldn't quite decide whether to keep trying to score or just ensure Uruguay also went out has done me in

Be almost disappointed if this doesn't horrifically boil over in the second half mind. The needle from both teams is sensational.

That was well naughty mind

Just realised I had the radio commentary on iPlayer btw, hence my other posts

Great timing on that. But I thought he looked class against Portugal too.

Every promo I read before the tournament raved about De Arraesceta. Was looking forward to seeing him as a SA based player I didn't know much about. Manager seems to have bottled playing him in favour of more defensive solidity - but looked great every time he's been on.

Anybody else's BBC commentary slightly ahead in iPlayer for this Ghana game?

Don't know what Comms are on about. Was a blatant pen surely?

Tell you what mind this Japan side with Son and Kim in it could be semi finalists. Is it time to get the band back together? @oldtype

Definitely. To be honest I've always felt with Tomori he would be better off opting for Canada or Nigeria. Although what would always put a European-based player off doing so is the travelling during qualifying and other tournaments. I know Cristante was another who could have played for Canada - but I think his decision has been rendered the right one now. Tere's clearly been improvement on this front though from the past where you lost the likes of Hargreaves, Begovic and couldn't convince Hoillett to commit.