Paullow

It kind of feels a Danish goal is coming. Whether they can score 2 or perhaps 3 (if Tunisia get another) is a different question.

Drama!

That is one hell of a contrast in finishing first or second in Argentina's group. Maybe Argentina and Poland will draw and the Saudi's can top it.

Being already through, can probably afford to lose 0-4 and still top it, and making 9 changes probably had something to do with it. You'd still think their new players would have more quality and want to do a job to maybe keep their place, but it's also quite hard when's there is no jeopardy on the result. It's obviously just the way it is, and nothing you can do, and France have every right to play who they want having done their jobs previously, but it's a bit shit how match order can massively impact a group. I'm pleased the Aussies have scored as Tunisia profiting from a half arsed France wouldn't really sit well.

Yep, most people assume it's a strange shootout between Aus and Den and a draw for Aus would be enough, but if Tunisia win then a draw wouldn't be enough for Australia, likewise a win for Denmark might not be either. Mind Tunisia are still 9/2 to win, so France reserves are still favourites, but it's a less daunting task than if they played them in the first two matches.

Eh? It was just a continuation from a conversation from earlier today when others were 'baffled' that the Netherlands match was on ITV1 and the Senegal match with far more riding on it was on ITV4. If you have access to a TV then pretty much anyone can watch BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, ITV4 etc. but naturally, BBC1 generally does better viewing figures than BBC2, ITV1 more than ITV4 and so on, so it was interesting to see which matches ended up on which channels.

Tempted to switch over to the USA match now. One Iran goal would completely change things. Definitely would have if the Newcastle lads didn't come on.

Similar to today, BBC1 showing France tomorrow whereas BBC2 are showing the much bigger Denmark vs Australia match, and Argentina on BBC1 tomorrow evening (which is more understandable), so I guess they'll automatically just select the 'bigger' nation on the main channels regardless of the circumstances. I'll definitely be watching the Aussie match tomorrow afternoon. I wonder what other nations have done with the England match tonight. Iran vs USA generally had more riding on it so probably should have been prioritised, but probably wouldn't if other countries copy what the UK broadcasters do.

Not guaranteed yet. 1/6 to top the group, 4/1 not to. They certainly should, but maybe not quite as nailed on as you'd hope / expect. Imagine Iran topping the group after losing their first match 2-6 So it's either Netherlands at 3pm on Saturday, or Senegal at 7pm on Sunday.

If there's 15 minutes injury time in the first half like in the Iran-England match, will they delay the re-start of the other group match(es)?

Yeah, I'll probably have the Netherlands match on the laptop, but definitely far more in the background.

I wonder what ITV1 to ITV4's ratio will be at 3pm? Obviously Netherlands (ITV1) have the 'name' to attract more casuals which presumably is why it is on the main channel, and possibly more Dutch people living in the UK, but Ecuador vs Senegal is obviously the bigger match generally with both having a chance to qualify, and a much harder match to call on paper. I'll be tuning into ITV4.

I thought it was funny when Germany lost to Japan the other day and thought they were on the brink of going out when I saw Costa Rica losing 0-7 (knowing CR faced Japan next), but as a relative neutral who's enjoying the tournament, I'd far rather see Croatia/Belgium (or Morocco as it will now probably prove to be) vs Germany in the last 16 than vs Japan, kind of same with Argentina ahead of Poland, so I'm now kind of pleased with how today turned out. Not really in Germany's hands to go through, but if they win by two goals on Thursday, you'd be stunned if they went out.

Great result for Germany. They'll possibly go through on 3 points now. I guess on paper it makes the group more interesting because if Japan and Spain won then it would just be group winners on the line, or had Japan drew and Germany lost, then Japan would have been effectively through on goal difference (vs Costa Rica), but now every team will be in it on the last day, but you'd expect Germany to comfortable beat CR, and probably Spain beating Japan (unless they play out of draw...) Japan must be fuming, beat Germany, in a great position, then lose to the worst team in the competition.

4th tier. WSL top tier, Sunderland in the 2nd tier, and then one more league between them and Newcastle.

Normally 98+9 would be WTF, but totally normal in this tournament. And another even later!

Deserved, to be fair.

Not in the World Cup I don't believe. Chile with 3 draws in 2018 is the lowest I can see.

9 mins

This has been a fantastic watch. Probably the best match of the tournament thus far as a (relative) neutral. Interesting to see how much injury time there will be. Thought there would be far more than 4 min in the first half.

Feel sorry for any 'morals for me, marra' human rights activists (since 7th October 2021) boycotting this tournament. Could be one of the most surprising days of football ever.

The best price for a Saudi win was 28/1 when I looked last night. Crazy to even be in this position in the 94th minute.

I love how committed they are. Some cracking tackles going in.

Absolutely insane. Feel sorry for those boycotting the tournament. They didn't look too bad in the first half, not out of their depth, but never saw this turnaround coming in a million years. Crazy, crazy match. Probably still end up 4 or 5-2, but it's been epic.

WOW!