ponsaelius

Great mix of all confederations and regions being represented in the last 16, regardless of the outcomes tomorrow. Probably only real disappointment on that front is Poland through over Saudi/Mex.

Croatia are interesting because after the last Euros I kind of felt they'd be washed here. Clearly weaker at CF without Mandzukic and no more Rakitic. However the current version of Kovacic is not really a downgrade from Rakitic and they look much stronger at the back with Gvardiol in place of Vida and Sosa in place of Strinic. They look like with a bit of luck they could put a similar run together as last time.

Was convinced these two games were going to be total non events as well. Shows what I know. What a lovely bit of sportswashing this tourney has become.

This is awful analysis ffs

If Spain equalise it would send Germany through on goals scored I think

Costa Rica get another one and they'd both go out ffs

Went to walk the lass back from the Metro station ffs. Whenever I leave in this tournament Japan score.

That counterattack from Costa Rica man

I thought it was funny as fuck at the time, tbf. Pure drama.

Japan losing to Costa Rica will go down as one of the biggest bottle jobs in World Cup history. Their manager absolutely dropped the ball with the selection.

That's this group done then.

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

I think what was overlooked was that Mexico could afford to concede that goal and still go through it they got a third. They really should have been even more gung-ho to get their goal. Even the commentators made a thing of the Saudi goal 'breaking their hearts' when it didn't matter at all in the context of play.

Honestly wish Mexico and Poland could have both gone out. But Poland in particular have been an absolute disgrace in all three matches.

I switched over to the Oz game late on but my god Denmark were bad. I don't understand why their entire gameplan involved deep crosses from the right back. Really weird to see considering just how good they were 18 months ago.

Interesting weak French line up. Could get very interesting if Tunisia could get a win.

Tbf if the groups are groups of three then I can understand the merit of some kind of bonus point system to keep it interesting.

He was the far the US midfielder I was most impressed with, definitely. Have no issue with him playing for the US though. I like that FIFA have relaxed their nationality rules considerably in recent decades tbh and allow players to switch relatively freely. Gives for much more depth in international football.

Not proving anything tbh, just saying the idea of how bad teams being argued retrospectively is not fullproof. They look bad because they were well beaten.

Statistically England's group was the most difficult with the only one with all four teams in the top 20

Yikes that's boring

Part of me wants to watch the Iran - US game instead, think it'll be a more interesting game.

Reckon if Oz/NZ got the World Cup I'd have to just go. Take a month off work. Could not be dealing with games in the middle of the night.

Just saw the point made that it's maybe a bit off to have a French referee in this game. 7 of the 11 Senegal players are born in France.

I think it's very weird having Netherlands Vs Qatar on ITV1 like.