FIFA World Cup 2018 chat thread

[yuppie]

England looked fresh for most of the game today, and have some strong options off the bench. Who wants to face Rashford, Vardy or Welbeck for the last 20 minutes.

Got to say it looks good for England.

[mikesiva]

I just can't see how Croatia can play two 120 min games and win a semi.

They have quality players but even they should be a little bit tired next week.

[sussexpob]

I notice they have stolen the thunderclap.

Surely england supporters want extra time and penalties here.

Yeah of course. I wonder if any team has every played consecutive extra time and penalties, and won their next match? England have also had an extra games rest for most. Got to think in such a short tournament that its a huge bonus at the moment?

To the best of my knowledge, Argentina are the only team to win consecutive penalty shoot-outs, in the 1990 World Cup. They followed them up by losing their next match, the final.

Didn't they have two players sent off and a possible 8 that should have been too. They were annihilated in all but the score on the board

[Arthur Crabtree]

I remember a substitute called Onzon getting sent off for Argentina after about 5m on the field. Purely because of the commentary. Monzon's on. Monzon's off. He was the first player to be sent off in a WC final, to be joined later by a team mate. Terrible game.

Only four dismissals so far in this WC.

[sussexpob]

hey have quality players but even they should be a little bit tired next week.

Croatia have two very good players, modric undoubted world class level, rakitic right up there too... But what else do they have?

Subasic..... bit of a run of the mill keeper
Strinic.... Released by sampdoria after he could get a game.
Vida... Sold to beskitas this season, played 8 games this year
Lovren.... Been very average at Liverpool
Perisic....very hot and cold player. Been subbed early in all games after playing poorly
Kramaric.... Scored twice at Leicester in a year and was sold
Manduzkic.....scored 12 goals in two full seasons starting at juvenile
Rebic.....flopped in Italy. Loaned out to various clubs. Hasn't nailed a starting spot for a lower Bundesliga team.

It's hardly that scary, is it? England don't have a modric, but Croatia don't have a lot of what we have.

We should be confident. We should have enough to beat them.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pedro Monzon was on the field for 19 minutes before gashing Klinsmann's shin (wiki). The game was completely spoiled by Argentina who had one shot to West Germany's 23.

[sussexpob]

I remember a substitute called Onzon getting sent off for Argentina after about 5m on the field. Purely because of the commentary. Monzon's on. Monzon's off. He was the first player to be sent off in a WC final, to be joined later by a team mate. Terrible game.

Only four dismissals so far in this WC.

Don't know his name, but I remember the foul on klinsmanm was horrendous.

[sussexpob]

Wasn't the goal a penalty near the end. Andreas brehmer scored, the German left back

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, in the last ten. At least we didn't have to endure extra time. Decent German side, led by the brilliant Matthaus.

[yuppie]

Argentina that whole world cup played some extremely dirty negative football. I really do not know how they even got close to the final. And when there it was a horrific final.

[Gingerfinch]

Italia 90 wasn't the best of word cups, even if we did make the semi. A lot of the Football played by the 'big' sides was dour.

Back to yesterday. Despite Pickford being MOM I thought we were in control for most of the game. Sterling was a threat with his pace, and it was nice to win without Kane doing much, which was partly down to lack of service.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Argentina that whole world cup played some extremely dirty negative football. I really do not know how they even got close to the final. And when there it was a horrific final.

Lost the first game to Cameroon, but it will be best remembered for the triple tackle on Caniggia. First player caught him, he rode the tackle and just regained his balance as the second tackle came in, which knocked him off balance again, but this time he was putting in giant off balances strides at full pace, until the third guy came in and absolutely demolished him, boots and bodies flying everywhere. Despicable tackle which he got rightly sent off for. Still a memorable moment.

[yuppie]

Argentina that whole world cup played some extremely dirty negative football. I really do not know how they even got close to the final. And when there it was a horrific final.

Lost the first game to Cameroon, but it will be best remembered for the triple tackle on Caniggia. First player caught him, he rode the tackle and just regained his balance as the second tackle came in, which knocked him off balance again, but this time he was putting in giant off balances strides at full pace, until the third guy came in and absolutely demolished him, boots and bodies flying everywhere. Despicable tackle which he got rightly sent off for. Still a memorable moment.

I had forgotten about that

[budgetmeansbudget]

Looking at that video again the ref first of all brandishes a red card and then a yellow. I guess he meant to do it the other way round as he was checking his notes to see if he had already booked him.

So he got a yellow and not a straight red for that tackle!

[Arthur Crabtree]

I thought 90 was a good WC. But I think we misremember England's part in it because a lot of nostalgia has clustered around its campaign. England were second best in every game but against Egypt, where they were lacklustre. There were some exciting moments, but England only got as far as luck would let them. They were far better in 86 in my view, though they went out in the quarters. That side played some quality football.