ponsaelius

The two pens Portugal have got in this tournament

League One

Gah, was hoping for a new ground.

Ghana with a chance to put Uruguay out would be a great storyline for the end of this group.

Couldn't agree with this less, to be honest. Although the last couple of days have definitely been a big improvement now that teams are needing to get results.

Brazil not scintillating but look really strong to me. Made pretty light work against two decent European teams without conceding a shot on goal.

He was out of the team in qualifying when not playing for us tbf. But yes - both Akanji and Elvedi are good defenders in their own right.

Second header was absolutely delightful. One of those ones that gets you off your seat early as you realise he's got the timing spot on. Looks like he should be in a K drama rather than up front at a World Cup though.

They scored two headed goals from crosses

Bento deserves stick for not trusting a player like Lee Kang-in from the start in a game you need to win. His passing is laser like.

The real Gs deserve today for sticking through the dross. Sumptuous day so far for the tournament GPG rate.

Hahahaha yesss

Get in. This game is nuts.

Feel like keeper is at fault for that second. Onana would have saved it. Enjoyed Cameroon in both games, tbh. At least they give it a good go.

You're not going to have smaller goals in women's football. They use the same pitches and facilities as the men across the globe, immediately before or after men's or junior football. In most cases you can't swap the goals around at a whim on the local park. It's just not a feasible thing to implement if you want to retain and actually increase accessibility to the game/facilities for women's footy. I don't think it's a major issue at the top level of the women's game anymore anyway. Female players can't shoot as powerfully as the men - and I think that balances things out. If you did reduce size of goals you'd likely reduce the number of goals scored significantly.

After 28 games there has been 67 goals - exactly the same as in 2018. Definitely feels surprising to me. Those stats massively topped up by the 7-0 and 6-2 score lines I suppose to offset the 0-0s. Still think the football and quality of goals has been far lower, but it gives me some hope it might pick up. Genuinely glad that I'm going to get my days back on Tuesday though.

Could be interesting as Group F play first on Thursday. Spain are essentially through - may end up being in their interest to finish second if they fancy Morocco over Croatia for e.g. Not that I think they'd throw a game against Japan - just may influence level of motivation.

Much of me instinctively wants to hate the Spanish national team just because I found Del Bosque's Spain so insufferably dull for so long. However part of me is warming to this side. They're fallible, which is probably the main reason for it. But they do also move with more pace - a bit like Enrique's version of Barca.

That goal man

Probably the most unbalanced team at the tournament like. Attack is CL level, defence and keeper are League One.

Seems nuts to me that Scott Arfield retired from international duty in January. Why wouldn't you just hang on for a World Cup at the end of the year. Not a world beater by any means he would have been a good option to add a bit of calm and control to Canada's midfield.

Canada are dreadful at the back like and very naive. It's a joy to see.

Yessss an early goal

Great to see. Hope they get through now as the tournament needs a surrogate host side. Morocco have loads of quality players when you go man to man. It's a really interesting blend because you've got homegrown players (e.g. Aguerd, Bono) and then influences from other European systems. Hakimi from Spain, Ziyech, Amrabat and Mazraoui from Holland, Boufal and many others from France. It provides a whole different variety of skillsets.