ponsaelius

With Dzagoev back as well we could have seen them play a really interesting line-up. Instead they've gone back into their shell. Shame as I was quite looking forward to this game.

Russia dropping Cheryshev and reverting to the 3-5-2 from before the tournament that seen them so roundly criticised seems a terrible move.

I'm really not a huge fan of Ritchie as a player, and found myself hating his performances for most of last season. The fact it seems to be two Championship clubs looking to sign him says a lot, IMO. That said, he's a good character to have in the squad. It would be a move similar to when Nolan and Barton were jettisoned at the end of 10/11. I would back Rafa on it if he thinks we'd improve as a team because of it.

Ronaldo was garbage tonight like, no point beating around the bush.

They've been the better team, which is certainly not always the case with them. Still fancy them to get a goal here.

Worst thing about 2010 was definitely the Jabulani. The amount of overhit passes in that tournament was painful.

Mbappe scored in every round of the CL knockouts (except the final) as an 18 year old, that was his breakout.

Didn't even think about that, but we'll lose Ki in January because of the Asian Cup.

Was exempt because they got Bronze at London 2012. Ahh, don't some of the current squad need to win the Asian games to make themselves exempt? Yes it's seemingly the last opportunity for the likes of Son. But the Asian Games runs during the season from August to September. Since Spurs are reluctant to let him leave twice during the season, he may miss the Asian Cup (much more important in football terms, but doesn't count for NS exemption) in January. The whole process of what allows you exemption is totally nonsensical and arbitrary really.

Was exempt because they got Bronze at London 2012.

Buzzing to have a Korean at the Toon. Wish he was there when I was there though, would have meant every game televised for free.

About to announce a signing according to ryda

Changed things a little bit with the way the other group has fallen. I'd far, far rather play Japan in the last 16 than Colombia.

He just wants Japan out cos colonizers

You can't believe that people would prefer to play Japan, Switzerland/Sweden over Columbia, Brazil/Mexico? I don't think anyone's thinking about England winning, just going the furthest. Surely you can understand both perspectives? I just thought people wanted to win it. My bad. If we're on the other side of the draw we are less likely to win the competition. England are good enough to beat a top side, but doing it 4 times is simply statistically more unlikely than doing it twice. I'd love to know why this is such an obvious fact that is lost on people.

I don't see why you couldn't just have a draw after the group stage, the 8 group winners vs the 8 runners up. The draw being 'unbalanced' isn't the problem, it's teams knowing their potential route and trying to manipulate it.

Oof.

I'll probably be the only person on here watching the other game. Hopp Schwiiz!

Throw the game and take the easy run

Iran and Morocco were both absolutely great value in this group, in completely different ways.

The correct decision.

Seems so. It's a bit forced. Fair enough during a last minute winner, but not when the 5th goes in from the penalty spot against Panama.

Winning the group would likely be terrible, if it gives us Colombia and then Germany. Finishing 2nd could mean Japan then Mexico. Don't buy into this 'got to play the big teams eventually' stuff. Yes you do, but ideally you'd play less of them. Italy won in 2006 partly because they had Australia and then Ukraine to make the semi-finals.

wat wtf

If they are all drugged up to the eyeballs like DDR Shotputters then it just adds another string to this tournament's bow. It's got the lot.