ponsaelius

XG has killed football too. Nobody willing to smash one top bins anymore. Shite.

They're definitely not, like. Brazil 2014 was brilliant in the group stages then fizzled out a bit in the knockouts. Russia 2018 perhaps wasn't quite as good in the group stages as Brazil but was actually good all throughout the competition. And there was only one 0-0 in the whole thing. The only tournament in my lifetime that was as bad as this so far was 2010 where the football was utterly dreadful. But the Jabulani was so crap you at least got the odd random screamer out of nowhere to break the monotony of the football and endless buzzing of the crowd.

Saudi against Poland and Canada against Belgium are two of the only games I've seen where any team properly went at it from the off and played with real vigour and high intensity. And they both couldn't score and lost.

Yeah I'm done with this tournament like. So many teams getting rewarded for setting up and playing absolutely abominable football. It's hideous. The Japan manager is hardly any better either. Playing a 5 ft 5 winger from the J League over players who are playing for big clubs in Europe. Then waiting until you're losing before bringing everybody who is any good on. Idiots, shite.

I'm absolutely done with this World Cup, man. It's hateful

Tomiyasu is nursing an injury apparently. But otherwise the selections seem to me to be a waste of resources.

I know Japan won the first game, and I admittedly missed the second half, but I actually think they might be shit. Certainly less than the sum of their parts and really hard to watch compared to past Japan teams. Can't believe for a second they wouldn't be better off just playing the likes of Mitoma or Minamino upfront instead of the strikers they've tried out. This bloke Ueda looks like a total imposter. And it is flabbergasting to me that Kyogo didn't make the squad.

Tbh I didnt really agree with Neville and Keane's grilling of Di Maria at half time. Other than Messi, and tbh even more than him, he has always performed for and carried Argentina to the best of his abilities. Seemed like bitterness just because he absolutely hated living in Manchester. He's never been somebody I've considered a flimsy player. If anything he's the opposite - durable and keeps going. Even now at 34 and on the decline.

I know what you mean but I get the feeling it might be a case of after the lord mayor's show with them. They've put loads into the first two games, and I might be wrong but I'm sure they must have some suspensions stacked up now considering the yellows accumulated.

His ego seems to have inflated like a zeppelin

Glad about that. Mexico offered nowt other than violence so great to see a couple of bits of quality to win the game. Winning by two clear goals means there is actually a relatively good chance a draw against Poland will get them through (only a Saudi win would realistically put them out in that scenario - as can't see this Mexico side running up a 3 or 4 goal win).

Messi can barely run anymore, mind. It's sad to see. But glad to see him have another great moment.

Geeeeet in

Even that was just annoying tbh because of the lack of cutting edge. That's been another thing too. There seems to have been loads of skied shots and 50p heed headers in good positions. I don't know if that's a result of the lack of chances so when they come they're skewed, but definitely feels particularly infuriating to me.

Martinez is a great striker but it's hardly his fault in this game. They've not been able to get the ball anywhere close to attacking areas.

There's just so many spoiling sides that have the mid-season match fitness to pull it off. Mexico are usually a good watch but they've got very little quality up top by their standards so have been instead been extremely good at nullifying this game completely through intensity and physicality.

If it stayed like this Argentina would go into the last game needing to win by two clear goals to get through. Which seems highly unlikely.

Add to this a system that requires good full backs but having two crap ones.

After everything Argentina honestly look barely any different to the last World Cup. A stodgy and static midfield, Messi barely involved, and Di Maria going on the odd random forage. Easy to nullify. Can see a red card and a loss today.

Rabiot has been great for the last couple of months for Juve too but he was bad for ageeeees before that. He's a player who saves his best form for when his contract is running out (end of this season) and for that reason I am skeptical. He's also a bit of a renowned knobhead.

Honestly think Lucas H injury is a blessing in disguise because it has forced Deschamps to play one of France's best players in his brother. Lucas is fine but always feels like a CB playing wide to me.

It's the same for US last night. A draw actually did nothing for them in the grand scheme of things. A draw is a good result for France in the same way it was for England - it's worth basically nothing for Denmark. They're better off giving it a go and trying to to win which leaves them only needing a draw in the last game.

But that's going to be exactly the same scenario if they lose. There is literally no benefit whatsoever to Denmark getting a draw here.

Just don't see what this does for Denmark though. A point leaves them needing to beat Australia the same way a loss does. It's basically a free hit to try and get a victory and make their last game easier.

The lack of first half goals has been unreal in this tournament, especially considering the endless added time.