FIFA World Cup 2022

[Gingerfinch]

As for Spain, I am tempted after that match to put all my savings on them winning. One of the most impressive International performances I have ever seen.

Spain were the best team in the Euro's but lacked a striker..... last night they created chances at will, and shoved them in the net. For me, they are now the favourites.

Germany need at least a draw against Spain and even then will be relying on Costa Rica to beat Japan. Can't see either happening tbh.

[sussexpob]

I thought Germany were very impressive for large parts of the game, but just like the last world cup, they missed a stupid amount of chances. Play that match again, they could easily win it 7-2..... hit the post twice, put 5 shots an inch past the post, missed others.

Needing a win, I think that game could be an epic.

[sussexpob]

In fact, I think Germany got sucked into trying to get a scoreline more deserving of their dominance, and left two CBs alone to deal with 4 Japanese forwards. If they had shut up after 60 minutes and hit Japan on the break, they probably pick them off for a goal or two. Japan have no height in the team, and were all about pace on the break.

Obviously I am biased, because after his loan last year at Union SG, I absolutely love Mitoma. And now he is at Brighton, that makes me even more biased.

But I thought he changed the game. Wonderful little player

[mikesiva]

Switzerland beat Cameroon 1-0.

This is probably the weakest Cameroon side I've seen.

[mikesiva]

I'm loving the fact that some Japan supporters stayed behind to help clean up the stadium before they went home

According to my son, who now lives in Japan, that's so Japanese!

[Durhamfootman]

Portugal nearly caught a cold against Ghana. 1-1 after 75 mins, Ghana subbed their captain, who wasn't at all happy about it, and immediately conceded 2 well taken goals. Then Portugal subbed their captain... I forget his name..... and immediately conceded a goal themselves. 9 mins added on and 9 mins up Ghana thumped a long ball into the box which the goalie Costa intercepted comfortably. He then threw the ball forward to waste a bit of time before lumping it upfield, only he completely forgot about the Ghana player behind him, who slipped in from behind, robbed him of the ball but then slipped and lost his footing before he could stick the ball into the empty net.

Best of all.... the live cameras missed it because they were too busy watching the to$$pot's reaction on the bench.... berks! We had to wait for the replay to see what happened and the broadcasters looked like chumps......... Follow the football broadcasters..... that knob doesn't need the extra publicity

[Durhamfootman]

Uruguay/Korea was another goal-less draw. Uruguay were rubbish, but in fairness they were playing with 10 men and a bitey, cheaty fella who can't run an inch. Not often you see someone with a zimmer frame playing football in a world cup. He did his best.... threw his frame to the floor in the box a couple of times hoping to con the ref into giving a pen, but he wasn't fooled for a minute. Once the immobile bitey, cheaty man was subbed on 65 mins, Uruguay took charge for the first time, but there was very little quality in the box from either side.

[Durhamfootman]

I can tell that Serbia are playing.... all these ic's are making me scratch

[mikesiva]

Richarlison and Brazil beat Serbia 2-0!

Now that I have seen bits of all the teams, at the end of the first round, Brazil are my pick to win this.

Not an outside pick, I know. But they do look good!

[Durhamfootman]

I wasn't so sure, mike, tbh. Clearly there is a lot of quality in the Brazil squad, but they weren't quite on it tonight, for me. Neymar was nowhere near it tonight, in fact I thought Brazil looked better after he came off. I've no doubt though that once the rustiness wears off, Brazil will shine a bit more. Spain look the most complete team after the first round of matches. France impressive going forward, but looked a bit ropey at the back at times. I won't jinx England by saying anything ahead of the USA game

goal of the comp so far from Richarlison tonight, I think. His second goal, that is.

[Gingerfinch]

Partially watching the Wales - Iran game. Surely both teams need to take a chance and try and win this game?

[sussexpob]

Partially watching the Wales - Iran game. Surely both teams need to take a chance and try and win this game?

I have no idea how Wales are still in this. Been thoroughly outplayed once again....

[Gingerfinch]

Gotta go for that

[Gingerfinch]

Wales are out!

[sussexpob]

Gotta go for that

No idea what Hennessey was doing, the man was back to cover the ball. Challenge was ridiculous too, could have seriously injured the Iranian lad.

Well deserved by Iran. Wales were terrible. Bale can no longer move, and all they had to offer was aimless punts up field, and ropey defending